Dennis Valle

“I chose Carthage because it’s not far from home, which was important to me. I wanted to be close to my family while still having some independence. I also really liked the smaller class sizes. It allows me to build personal relationships with my professors, and I feel like they know me and care about my success. On top of that, the campus and facilities are great.”

“Being a Firebird means representing something bigger than myself. It’s about pride, commitment, and pushing to be the best version of myself on the field and in the classroom. It also means showing up for my teammates, supporting others, and carrying myself with integrity.”

“My favorite memory with my team has to be when we beat the nationally ranked North Central during my freshman year in the CCIW Tournament. It was such an intense game.”

“The student-athlete community at Carthage is really close. Everyone supports each other, not just within our teams but across all sports. We all know how tough it can be to juggle school and sports, so there’s a lot of respect for each other.”

“Balancing school and sports takes a lot of discipline and good time management, but it’s definitely possible. I try to stay organized by using a schedule to plan out time for studying, practicing, and resting. It’s also important to communicate, so I always let my teachers know if I have any conflicts with games or travel. Being an athlete has helped me focus more and use my time better. It’s challenging, but it teaches you responsibility, and it feels great when you succeed in school and sports.”

“Carthage supports student-athletes in many ways, not just with sports and schoolwork. The athletic facilities are amazing, which helps us train and perform at our best. Resources like academic advising, tutoring, and study halls help us keep up with our classes. Plus, there’s a strong sense of community on campus, with professors, staff, and even other students showing up to support our games and events. My coaches and professors at Carthage are really supportive. My coaches always remind us that school comes first and help ensure we keep up with our work. They’re flexible if we need time to focus on classes and always check in to see how we’re doing, even outside of sports. The professors are also very understanding about missing class for games or travel. They’re willing to help with deadlines if needed and truly care about how we’re doing, not just as students but as people.”

“My biggest accomplishment at Carthage has been growing both as an athlete and a student. One of the most rewarding moments has been seeing how my hard work in practice and the classroom has paid off. I’ve learned a lot about time management, discipline, and teamwork, and I’m proud of how much I’ve grown since my first year.”

“My favorite athletic facility on campus is definitely the Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center. It has everything you could need as a student-athlete. One of the spots I use the most is the racquetball room. It’s a great space for me to get some extra touches and work on my skills outside of practice. I also really appreciate The N.E.S.T., which has been super helpful for recovery. Whether it’s using the recovery boots, foam rolling, or just having a quiet space to reset, it’s made a big difference in keeping my body ready to perform.”

“My goal is to become a detective, and my time as a student-athlete will really help me with that. Being on a team has taught me to think quickly, pay attention to details, and make decisions under pressure about important things for solving cases. I’ve also learned how to manage my time and stay focused, which will be useful when I have a lot of responsibilities.”

“My advice for students considering competing at the college level is to put in the work, both on the field and in the classroom. It’s a big commitment, but it’s also really rewarding.”