Health Sciences Scholar-Athlete Joins Legion of Excellence

Each year the University of Cincinnati (UC) Department of Athletics selects student-athletes from each of UC's 19 varsity sports to be inducted into the Legion of Excellence. This year, student-athlete Meagan Gulmi, a senior in the College of Allied Health Sciences and goalie for the UC women’s lacrosse team, is an inductee. The selection for Legion of Excellence is based on the highest cumulative grade-point average on the respective team for the previous school year and good academic standing within the individual's athletics team and college.

Below, Gulmi, a health sciences major, with a focus in exercise and movement, in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, offers some tips on how to be a student athlete and scholar: 
   
How long have you been playing lacrosse?

I have been playing lacrosse since I was in the second grade. I am from New York, so it is a really popular sport back home and we start playing when we're really young. That being said, I didn't start playing goalie (my position) until I was in the fifth grade. So in total, I've been playing lacrosse for about 14 years.

How do you manage to juggle it with classes?

It is definitely not easy managing classes with the schedule that I have for lacrosse. I manage it, though, by having really good time management. There is never a second in the day where I am not doing something related to school or lacrosse. I plan out what work I have due and what tests I have a few weeks in advance so that I can stay on top of my work when I know we are traveling or have competitions.

What does being an athlete bring to your educational endeavors?

Being an athlete has brought a lot to my educational endeavors. It has taught me to work hard for what you want, and to be disciplined in all aspects. I have been able to succeed both on the field and in the classroom because I truly care about my successes in two areas, school and lacrosse. It has also taught me how to better manage my time, with a busy practice, traveling and competition schedule. I have learned how to manage my time so that I can succeed in a difficult major with such a busy schedule.   

What is your GPA?

During the 2014-2015 school year I had a 3.79 GPA and this is why I won the award. 

Are you also service oriented?

I try to be as service oriented as possible while maintaining a busy school and lacrosse schedule.  Although I am not as involved as I would like to be with groups on campus, I am involved in one major group on campus SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee). I am on the executive board for this group. In this group we serve as the liaison between the athletic department, student athletes and the NCAA. In addition to voting on legislation passed down by the NCAA and ensuring the best student-athlete experience for our athletes here at UC, we also organize volunteer projects for both athletes and students on campus. In the past we have organized a canned food drive, Gatorade Pong (in which we raise money for MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and a holiday gift drive in which we buy presents for families in the community in need during the holiday season. 

What would you tell someone who thought they couldn't play sports and go to college?

I would tell them that with hard work and dedication anything is possible. Yes, it is difficult.  Yes, there are nights of little sleep. Yes, there are mornings where you have already lifted weights, gone to practice and taken a nap before your 9 a.m. class. But it's all worth it. The reward that you get from being a student-athlete and representing your university is second to none. Time management is key, and loving what you are doing is key; as long as you have those two things you'll be just fine!