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| Senior Kait Fiore |
Homecoming/High School: Millburn, NJ/Millburn
Insititution: Denison University
Major: Biology
Minor: Spanish
I am originally from ... Midland Park, NJ
Why did you choose to attend a
NCAA Division III institution? I
have been playing sports for pretty much my whole life and softball has
become very important to me. I knew I wouldn’t enjoy my college career as much
unless I was playing softball. However, I also believe that focusing on my
academics is very important as well. Division III schools are perfect for
allowing student-athletes to balance academics and athletics and I am currently
getting a great education and I am also able to play my sport.
How would you describe the
philosophy of NCAA Div. III? NCAA
Division III aims to give student-athletes the ability to focus on academics as
well as athletics. Student-athletes at the Division III level still train hard
and are still competitive, but we are given the opportunity to be more than
just an athlete. We truly define the term “student-athlete.”
How has your experience been in
balancing athletics and academics at Denison? My experience has been
great. My coach is very understanding and recognizes the importance of
academics and my professors also recognize the importance of athletics in my
life. At times it is difficult to manage my time, but with all of the support I
receive from coaches and professors I have had a lot of success balancing
athletics and academics.
How would you best describe your
normal day as a student-athlete at the NCAA Div. III level? I.e. What do you do
all day? All of my classes are in the
morning so softball does not conflict with them as much. I wake up in the
morning and go to class and then I go to work in the Varsity weight room where
I coach other athletes at my school. Then I go to practice or my games. When I
get home I make dinner and do my homework and then get ready for the next day.
Favorite thing about
Denison? The athletic presence on campus.
So many students at Denison play sports (Varsity, club, intramural, or just for
fun) and many students who don’t play sports just enjoy watching them.
Favorite thing about the
NCAC? Our level of sportsmanship. The conference is very competitive, but as a
conference we have a great amount of respect for the teams we play.
What do you want to be when you
grow up? I would love to be a Physician
Assistant.
If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be and
why? I would trade places with my grandma for several reasons. First of all,
she is someone who I look up to and respect greatly. She has experienced tough
times and has developed into a very strong person with a great head on her
shoulders. I would love to learn the things that she has learned. I also would
love to have more time to just enjoy my days. While I love playing softball and
being a student, it would be nice to have more time to read for pleasure and to
do more things that I’m not normally able to do.
What aspect of being a
student-athlete at the Div. III level, do you hope to take with you into your
professional life? I have learned how to interact with people better and how to be a better
leader. I think these skills are very important for one’s professional life.
Do you have one coach and/or
professor that has impacted your career the most at Denison? My
softball coach, Tiffany Ozbun. During my years at Denison I have matured so
much and I believe this is largely because of her influence on me.
What are the toughest issues
facing Div. III athletes today?
Respect for what we do. Many people who are
not involved in the Division III community do not understand exactly what DIII
student-athletes do. We practice, we lift and we condition, but we also spend a
lot of time on our academics and we do it all without athletic scholarships or
other aid that athletes in other divisions receive.
If you could excel at any competitive sport (other than your own) which
would you choose? Gymnastics
What’s your favorite sports team/Who’s your favorite athlete? The NY
Giants and Mario Manningham (although I’m sad that he’s no longer a Giant)
Favorite ice cream? Mint
chocolate chip!
People may be surprised to know
that ... I am not italian
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