Men's Basketball | 10/15/2021 8:46:07 AM
Kyle Kokoskie enters his fourth season as a member of the Elmira College men's basketball team in 2021-22. He has appeared in 55 career games for the Soaring Eagles and has dished out 166 assists. Last season, he led the Soaring Eagles by playing nearly 36 minutes per game, while recording 3.6 assists per game.
A native of Glen Gardner, NY, Kokoskie also serves as Elmira's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Co-President and is a business administration major.
Kyle Kokoskie - Empire 8 Gives Back
Institution: Elmira College
Sport/Position: Men's Basketball/Point Guard
Academic Major: Business Administration
GPA: 3.43
Class Year: Senior
Academic Honors/Clubs:
- Margaret Locke Community Service Prize
- Polish National Union of America Stipend Recipient
- Langdon Award
- Simeon Benjamin Scholarship
- Merit Award
- Dean’s List
- 2021 NABC Honors Court
- Student Athlete Advisory Committee Co-President.
Community Service Roles: My Elmira Elks Club Hoop Shoot, Voorhees High School Basketball Camp, Elmira College Basketball Camp, Horseheads Little League Volunteer Umpire/Concession Sales, Chemung County Recreational Center, Hunterdon Outreach Program
Why did you join SAAC? What was your goal when joining?
I wanted to join SAAC because I saw it as a great opportunity to be able to voice my opinions as a student athlete. My ultimate goal was to make the student-athlete experience the best it could be.
What projects are you currently working on in your campus community?
We are looking to get our student body to attend more athletic events by promoting games with special prizes and games throughout the game.
What’s the biggest challenge you are facing with these projects? COVID restrictions, only virtual, fundraising, etc.?
Obviously, with the challenges of COVID-19 we have faced a lot of restrictions. I think the hardest part was trying to allow fans and students to come to athletic events. Everyone wants to go to these events and it’s hard when you have to plan with limited fans or even none.
How do you stay connected with your college community under COVID guidelines?
We have stayed connected with our college community with a lot of virtual events under Covid Guidelines. For example, we partnered with a local elementary school and had virtual readings, where we would read books to students.
What Role has Basketball Played in your Personal Development?
Being involved in sports has given me so many opportunities in life, while also teaching me so many life lessons along the way. Being a student-athlete prepares you well for life ahead.
Why Did You Decide to Attend Elmira?
I chose Elmira College because of the opportunity to continue playing the sport I love. EC also has a great business program that has helped me learn in the classroom and will help me in my future endeavors. The community has made me feel like I am part of a family.
How has Playing Collegiately and in the Empire 8 Prepared You For Life After College?
As a student-athlete you need to learn how to manage your time correctly which will help in my career after college. Also, being in a competitive conference like the Empire 8 has helped me become mentally tough.
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time in College: My favorite athletic memory from my time in college was going to the gym where the movie Hoosiers was filmed as a team and being able to practice in that gym. The experience was so surreal and the movie Hoosiers is one of my favorite basketball movies of all time.
What is Your Ultimate Professional Goal (Where Do You See Yourself in the Future)?
My ultimate professional goal is to become an athletic director at a Division I institution.
Favorite Professional Athlete/Pro Team: LeBron James/New York Yankees
Favorite Movie: Grown Ups
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Outer Banks
Favorite Food: Salmon
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cotton Candy
One Thing Most People Do Not Know About Me: I want to visit an island with light blue water.
Advice to Younger Student-Athletes on Why You Chose to Play a Collegiate Sport and Why Playing A Sport and Getting Involved With SAAC is So Important/Beneficial?
Some advice that I would give to younger student-athletes on why I chose to play college basketball is that it is a great opportunity. Sports give you opportunities in life that other things wouldn’t. You meet a lot of individuals, make great relationships, and learn so many life lessons along the way as well. Ultimately, playing a sport in college really prepares you for your future.
Getting involved in SAAC is so beneficial because in SAAC you have the opportunity to voice your opinion on certain matters at your institution. In SAAC, you also are able to participate in many events that are beneficial. Ultimately, you have the opportunity to help improve the student-athlete experience.
The Empire 8 Conference's “Empire 8 Gives Back” Series features a student-athlete from one of its member institutions who promotes community service and serves in a leadership role within his or her athletics teams or SAAC.
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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