WASHINGTON - Gallaudet University athletics is proud to participate in the 12th annual NCAA Division III Week (April 10-16) in an effort to celebrate the impact athletics and Bison student-athletes have on our campus and the surrounding community. GU is joining 439 Division III institutions and 44 voting conferences in this week's celebration.
To help focus on the many student-athletes that represent Gallaudet athletics we will spotlight two different student-athletes each day this week. You will learn more about them as they express their feelings on what it is like to be a Division III student-athlete here at Gallaudet. Interviews were conducted by the Gallaudet Sports Information Office.
Sophomore
Hannah Puent (Indianapolis, Ind.) is a second-year student-athlete with the women's basketball program. Puent majors in public health while minoring in biology and is expected to graduate Spring 2025.
Q: What is it like to be a student-athlete in college?
HP: Being a student-athlete in college is a fun and unique experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a student-athlete at Gallaudet University. It gives me balance in life and has taught me many things. I benefited from the qualities of being a student-athlete, such as time management, commitment, discipline, and leadership. It requires a lot of sacrifices, but I wouldn't trade it for anything else because memories and experiences will always be irreplaceable.
Q: What is it like to be a student-athlete at Gallaudet University?
HP: Being a student-athlete at Gallaudet is special, especially when I have 100 percent ASL communication access with everyone; it's a second home. My team is like a family; I feel like I belong and get tremendous support from my teammates and coaches.
Q: What are your goals after graduation? What do you hope to do in life?
HP: After graduation, my goals are to go further in my education and receive a master's in public health, and then I will see where that leads me! I hope to do many things in life, but one thing for certain is I want to coach girls' basketball. I want them to have the same experience I did as an athlete. I want to give back to the community with everything I've learned.
Q: You played at Capital One Arena on the same court used by the Washington Wizards; how was that experience for you and your teammates?
HP: Playing on an NBA court is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We were in awe when we entered the arena, and it felt unreal that we would play on an NBA court. However, I wish the experiences/outcome were better. We, as a team, faced a lot of adversity that day and pushed through as a team. Overall, we enjoyed having the opportunity of playing on an NBA court. Everything was so different, especially with the arena's environment and the court's size!
Division III Week Student-Athlete Spotlight: In My Words
Sunday: Abdullah Alghamdi (Men's Swimming) |
Lilan Nelson (Women's Track and Field)
Saturday: Kylar Sicoli (Football) |
Olivia Anderson (Women's Cross Country)
Friday: Vershon Carter (Men's Soccer) |
Hannah Puent (Women's Basketball) |
Azarriyah McKinnon (Cheerleading)
Thursday: Joshua Bourne (Men's Track and Field) |
Reza Mosher (Women's Soccer)
Wednesday: Darren Drolsbaugh (Baseball) |
Amanda Chemutai (Women's Swimming)
Tuesday: Kyle D'Amore (Men's Cross Country |
Danyeal Davis (Softball)
Monday: Enow Otto Jr. (Men's Basketball) |
Citrine Lummer (Women's Volleyball)
About Division III Week
Division III Week is a positive opportunity for all individuals associated with Division III to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community. During the week, every Division III school and conference office is encouraged to conduct a type of outreach activity that falls into one of three categories: academic accomplishment; athletic experience; or leadership/community service/campus involvement. For more information log onto
https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2013/11/15/division-iii-week.aspx.
About Gallaudet
Gallaudet University, federally chartered in 1864, is a bilingual, diverse, multicultural institution of higher education that ensures the intellectual and professional advancement of deaf and hard of hearing individuals through American Sign Language and English. Gallaudet maintains a proud tradition of research and scholarly activity and prepares its graduates for career opportunities in a highly competitive, technological, and rapidly changing world. For more information about Gallaudet University please log onto
www.gallaudet.edu and visit the Bison athletics homepage at
www.gallaudetbison.com.
