Ave's Student Athletes

» Georgia Miller

Hometown: Winter Park, FLYear: SeniorMajor: Psychology (with a minor inExercise and Health Science) Sport: Lacrosse Extracurriculars: Vice President of Mary Magdalene household, mission work, fishing, bug collecting Post-graduation plans: MA in Occupational Therapy

Why did you decide to come to Ave Maria University? I had never heard of Ave until coach contacted me. I originally wanted to go to a bigger school further from home. After stepping on campus, however, I felt so much peace at Ave, and I didn’t want to go anywhere else after that tour. I love the small, tight-knit community, and the balance of sports and academics.

What motivated you to play lacrosse at AMU? I’ve played lacrosse for 13 years. I started in 3rd grade because I was new to the area and wanted to try something different. I felt really excited to be offered a spot on the AMU team—it’s not very often that you can play a college sport.

What is one of your favorite lacrosse memories at Ave so far? Once, when we were traveling for a lacrosse game, we convinced our coach to go on a hike in South Carolina. Coach was very intentional about it though, pairing up upperclassmen and lowerclassmen, and she gave us questions so we could reflect on the past season while we hiked.

What is your support group like here? I am so blessed to have great support at Ave. Roommates, household, teammates, and coach...they all push me to be my very best. Coach, in particular, is super awesome, with an open door policy. She cares about the whole team emotionally, spiritually, and physically. The teachers at AMU also really care about you, and not only your education— you aren’t just a number to them.

What advice do you have for others considering playing a sport at AMU? Not only do you get to exercise your body, but also your mind. I wanted to play for a Division 1 school, but I’m so glad to be playing for Ave. With such a great team, I am able to fall deeper in love with sports. It is so wonderful to play with a team that wants the best for you—much better than going to a Division 1 school.

» John Preyer

Hometown: Brandon, FLYear: SeniorMajor: AccountingSport: Football (linebacker)Extracurriculars: carpentry, flipping housesPost-graduation plans: MA Officer Candidate in the Marines

Why did you decide to come to Ave Maria University?
After high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I wasn’tsure about playing football in college, or what to major in. Coach Armstrong reached out, though, and said he saw both academic and athletic potential in me. My parents both started college but couldn’t finish due to financial reasons, so they encouraged me to attend and play football at Ave where it was affordable.

What motivated you to play football? When I was nine, my parents asked me what sport I wanted to play. I wasn’t much into sports, but I decided on football. I hated it my first season, but I made friends, and so I said yes to playing a second season. That one was better because I started to understand the sport.

What is one of your favorite football memories at AMU so far? Once at an away game, we went for a walk around Lincoln park and Lake Michigan. There was no humidity, which is appealing to me, a native Floridian. It was very simple—the fact that we were traveling the country and playing a sport we love with close friends. It’s a memory I’ll never forget.

How do you balance your athletic, faith, and academic responsibilities? Coach incorporates scripture into team meetings and always allows time for Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation, and the rest is about balancing athletics and academics. You really just need to commit and do what you need to do. It’s great to have friends and teammates who are willing to help out. We lend each other books, tutor each other, and read and review each other’s papers. We work together as a team both in the classroom and on the field.

What is your support group like at Ave? In addition to my fellow teammates, Dr. Dittus and Dr. Patterson—as well as the majority of professors on campus—are very supportive. They understand the hectic student-athlete’s life, as well as the education schedule. Sometimes there are extra credit seminars, and the coaches will tweak the practice schedule so we can attend both practice and the extra credit seminar. Our head coach, Dr. Patterson, stresses the importance of education, because he also has experience as a teacher.

» Sarah Miller

Hometown: Canton, OHYear: JuniorMajor: AccountingSport: BasketballExtracurriculars: Student Government AssociationPost-graduation plans: Start a career in business; Explore the world

Why did you decide to come to Ave Maria University? I really connected with the people that I met while visiting campus during my winter break. I liked the basketball team a lot and envisioned myself being a part of a team similar to the one at Ave Maria University.

What motivated you to play basketball? I’ve been playing basketball since I was 14 years old. I’m really close to my aunt, who lived only five minutes away from my house at the time, and she played basketball in college, which inspired me to play the sport.

What is one of your favorite basketball memories at AMU so far? I love that every year, always at the beginning of the season, the team goes on a trip together. It is a good opportunity to bond together, meet newcomers and get to know each other better. When we have a game and there is a chance to do some sightseeing.

How do you balance faith, academics, and sports at Ave? Faith is pretty easy to maintain at Ave Maria. The coach always makes time for faith in practice. When traveling to away games, the team goes to Mass together. As for school and sports, you just have to truck through it. You have to force yourself to go to the library for quiet time to write a paper. You learn to be responsible for finding help if you are struggling, such as taking the time to go for extra tutoring if needed.

What advice would you give athletes who are considering attending AMU? I would say that you should just take advantage of all your opportunities here. There are so many things to get involved in and experience. Even if it doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, try it out before you knock it.

» Sebastian Ramirez Masini

Hometown: Merida, VenezuelaYear: SeniorMajor: Business and Economics(Double major) Sport: Tennis Extracurriculars: playing soccer, riding mountain bikes Post-graduation plans: Work in the U.S., then move abroad to Spain or Latin America to work in finance

Why did you decide to come to Ave Maria University? I originally went to New Hampshire University on a tennis scholarship. I was unhappy with the school being from a Latin background as I felt very alienated from the culture there. I began looking at schools in Florida. When I heard about and saw Ave, I really liked the campus and the environment. I also really enjoyed that the school was Catholic and that I was offered a scholarship that would let me attend and play tennis.

How has playing tennis at Ave impacted other areas of your life? Playing tennis at Ave Maria University has improved my responsibilities and dedication. Tennis is a passionate sport, and you need that dedication to motivate yourself to be training every day.

What would you say to students interested in playing a sport at AMU? I would say: enjoy it! It is a privilege. You are doing what you love and growing in all kinds of knowledge. It is also a responsibility. You have to have dedication and really love what you are doing.

What is one of your favorite tennis memories at Ave so far? Last year, we were trying to reach the conference finals, and it was left down to one match. If we lost, we would have been done; if we won, we would go on to the post-season conference. We won the match! It was also a home game, it was an extra bonus to win at home so we could celebrate together.

What does being a student-athlete mean to you? Being a student-athlete is both a privilege and aresponsibility. You have to keep working harder thaneveryone else, both academically and athletically, and you need to continue growing in the faith. You have to be a leader.