Tomorrow's Leaders Compete Here: Mikala McCartney, Alfred University

Women's Volleyball | 12/4/2019 9:52:13 PM

The Saxons’ Mikala McCartney has proven herself a leader and an essential member of the Alfred University women’s volleyball team. For four years, she served as defensive specialist and libero. McCartney’s leadership role has also been prominent for those four years as well whether it’s in season or out of season, organizing and managing community service events, team activities and study sessions. She has also been highly involved with the campus outside of volleyball as a leader in SAAC and the Alfred University Athletic Trainers Club. McCartney is also notable for her support of other Saxon teams as she could be spotted at almost every home event.
 
Major: Athletic Training

GPA: 3.62
 
Class Year: Senior
 
Anticipated Graduation Date: May, 2020
 
Favorite Professional Team: Buffalo Sabres

Favorite Professional Athlete: Tyler Ennis

Various Academic Honors/Academic or Athletic Clubs: President of the Alfred University SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee) Club, National SAAC Associate Member, Treasurer of the Athletic Training Club, Inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society (March 2019), Inducted into the Iota Tau Alpha National Athletic Training Honor Society, Made Dean’s List Bowling Club, Intermural Volleyball, Dean’s List (Fall 2017, Spring 2018), President’s List (Fall 2018 and Spring 2019)

What Type of Community Service Have You Done:

• Nicaragua Volunteer Trip - My team and I volunteered at a special needs camp and made coffee bean satchels. Taught children how to read at a local school. We played the Nicaraguan National Volleyball Team. (August 2016)
• Volunteers at Hornell YMCA monthly Kid's Nights. My team plays dodgeball with the children, as well as conduct arts and crafts, and work the snack bar.
• Worked the Wineglass Marathon in 2017. As an athletic training student, I waited at the finish line with a wheelchair to help participants if necessary, and provide first aid care after finishing the race.
• Volunteer at the Spring Into Action Day of Service in Alfred, NY. Projects include weeding, raking, window washing, dusting, and painting around town.
• Created a team to fundraise and participate in the Alfred University's Relay for Life event on April 6, 2019.

Plans After Graduation: Graduate School to continue my education.

What Do You See Yourself Doing in 5 Years: Working as a certified athletic trainer in Buffalo.

What Do You See Yourself Doing in 10-15 Years/What is Your Ultimate Professional Goal: I would like to work for a professional sports team, have three dogs, and live by the water.

What is Your Ultimate Professional Goal: Either working for a Divison I school or Professional team as an Athletic Trainer.

Any Interesting or Exciting Internships You Have Done or Are Currently Working On:

• Apple Institute Convention at the University of Virginia on January 18-20, 2019. We developed and designed a peer-led education program based on convention relating to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs for student-athletes. We will be conducting a presentation and survey on all the student-athletes to correct common misconceptions.
• Athletic Training Internship at the University at Buffalo – Summer 2019. I worked side by side with the football athletic training staff to prepare for the upcoming Summer camp and Fall season. 

How Has Playing in the Empire 8 Prepared You For Life After College: Being a college athlete has prepared me for life in so many different ways. I have learned so many important life skills like direct communication, attention to details, developing lasting and meaningful relationships, time management, being involved in my community, and never backing down.

Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time in College: Beng part of a team that qualified for the Empire 8 Tournament for the first time in 19 years. My entire team was sitting around a tiny phone screen in Nazareth’s gym watching one of the last conference games of the season. We were in a three-way tie to make it in as the last seed. The match ended in our favor and we all jumped up and screamed, right in the middle of another match going on. It was such a cool moment to be a part of.

Biggest On-Campus Mentor: Jess Hurlbut, Head Athletic Trainer. She saw in me what I couldn’t and she gave me so many opportunities to travel and participate in great leadership events representing Alfred University, let alone the entire Empire 8 Conference. I will forever be indebted to her and be grateful for her guidance in my life.

What Have You Learned About Yourself from Freshman to Senior Year: I have grown a lot! As you are going through life, you don’t really realize how much you are growing as person mentally, physically, and emotionally. This year I have been told by so many people have far I have come, and I have finally come to the realization that college has changed me for the better and I am so appreciative of that.

What Type of Leader Are You: I am definitely a relater! I will go out of my way to make sure the person next to me knows that I care and that they are not alone. I try to lead by example, especially in the way of positivity and energy. I have been described as a “jack rabbit,” “spark” “bouncy ball”, etc., on the court!
 
One Thing Most People Do Not Know About You: Most people don’t know that my secret obsession is watching the Food Network every day. It is so relaxing and mindless.
 
Advice for Freshmen Teammates or Student-Athletes: Trust the process!!!!!!

The Empire 8 Conference's “Tomorrow’s Leaders Compete Here” Series features a student-athlete from one of its member institutions who has emerged as a leader not only on the field of play, but in the classroom and in the community.

ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.
 
EMPIRE 8 SOCIAL MEDIA
YouTube – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram