General | 1/16/2020 12:59:00 PM
Rachel Benedict is enjoying a tremendous senior season for the Nazareth women's basketball team in 2019-20, averaging 18.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game, while shooting nearly 48 percent from the floor, 42 percent from 3-point range and 85 percent from the foul line through 13 contests. She leads the league in rebounds per game and is second in scoring and free throw percentage. In 2018-19, Benedict was named the Empire 8 Player of the Year and garnered All-American honors, was an All-Empire 8 first team selection in 2017-18 and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2016-17.
A native of Brockport, NY, Benedict is closing in on 1,500 career points and 1,000 rebounds in her four-year career at Nazareth.
Rachel Benedict - Tomorrow's Leader
Major: Graphic Design
GPA: 3.2
Class Year: Senior
Anticipated Graduation Date: May, 2020
Favorite Professional Athlete: Alex Morgan, United States Women's Soccer
What Type of Community Service Have You Done: I volunteered at several basketball and soccer clinics when I was in high school. I also have helped out with some basketball camps in college and help coach my brothers travel basketball team.
Plans After Graduation: I plan to look for a job in my field and stay in the Rochester area.
What Do You See Yourself Doing in 5 Years: I see myself working in my chosen field and gaining experience.
What is Your Ultimate Professional Goal: Ultimately, I would like to run my own design firm. It would give me some freedom when I have a family.
Any Interesting or Exciting Internships You Have Done or Are Currently Working On: I had the opportunity to intern this past summer at Hammer Packaging in the Rochester area. It is a great company with great people, and I learn a ton. It will definitely help me later down the road.
How Has Playing in the Empire 8 Prepared You For Life After College: Valuable time management skills, working on a team, dealing with constructive criticism, and problem solving have all been skills that will help me after college because of playing a college sport.
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time in College: The battle of the beaks with St. John Fisher and team trips we took to Daytona and Nashville.
Biggest On-Campus Mentor: Nazareth Head Coach Kelly Dunne has been my biggest on campus mentor. She has made me a better person, player and leader and has taught me a lot about the game and life.
What Have You Learned About Yourself from Freshman to Senior Year: I have learned that I am really lucky to still have the opportunity to play a sport I love. I have also learned to handle certain situations that come up. My time over the years has really gone fast so I have learned to take in every opportunity and to enjoy my time at Nazareth.
What Type of Leader Are You: I would characterize myself as a leader by example. I don’t tend to talk a lot on or off the court, but I think my work ethic speaks for itself.
One Thing Most People Do Not Know About You: I am very good at putting anything together and I like to assemble or fix different things.
Advice for Freshmen Teammates or Student-Athletes: Your teammates don’t have to be your best friends, but they can be. Be a great teammate and be a good to your fellow players. Prioritize your schoolwork and take the advantage of the fact you still get to play a sport you love. Enjoy your time because it goes by fast.
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.
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