WASHINGTON - Gallaudet University athletics is proud to participate in the annual NCAA Division III Week (April 1-7) in an effort to celebrate the impact athletics and Bison student-athletes have on our campus and the surrounding community. GU is joining 434 Division III institutions and 42 voting conferences in this week's celebration.

To help focus on the many student-athletes that represent Gallaudet athletics we will spotlight several 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 Gallaudet Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant Pia Garreffa and graphics by Athletic Communications Coordinator Bruce Saperstein and BoxOut Sports.

Sophomore Lacey Drolsbaugh (Lansdale, Pa.) is a second year student-athlete on the softball program. Drolsbaugh is undecided on her major and is expected to graduate in May 2027.

In My Own Words: Lacey Drolsbaugh

Q: What is it like to be a student-athlete in college?
LD: Being a student-athlete in college is not easy, but it is rewarding. It is an exhilarating yet demanding experience that helps me grow not just as an athlete but as a person and a student. I have to commit my time to school and softball, not just in-season but also during the off-season. Being committed to softball in college helps me develop skills applicable not just on the field but in life, such as time management, discipline, consistency, resilience, and being a team player.

Q: What is it like to be a student-athlete at Gallaudet University?
LD: Being a student-athlete at Gallaudet has been a unique and eye-opening experience. Growing up in the hearing world, I played sports differently than at Gallaudet. When my hearing loss started, it became harder and harder to succeed in that kind of environment. My amazing team and everybody who works in the athletic department have played a part in fostering a space where I feel like I truly belong. Playing the sport I love without communication barriers is the best feeling in the world. This is one of the most amazing things about playing for Gallaudet; it is an inclusive environment that fosters a strong sense of community and belonging.

Q: How difficult is it to change between outfield and pitching during a game?
LD: It's all mental. Your approach is crucial to how you will perform in practice and games. Honestly, I was never confident in my pitching until this season. What changed my confidence in the circle was being comfortable with being uncomfortable. I analyzed what I needed to work on and attacked it head-on, which helped me to build my confidence after overcoming those weaknesses. This mentality applies to every aspect of the game, including when it comes to switching positions. Since adopting this mentality, switching from centerfield to pitcher has been a seamless transition because I am confident in either position. Additionally, knowing that I have my teammates' support and that they trust me is enough to keep me going in a game because I don't want to let them down.

Q: What has been the greatest challenge you have overcome as an athlete?
LD:  The greatest challenge was overcoming the transition from a hearing athlete to a deaf athlete. My hearing loss didn't start until I was 15, so for a good chunk of my life, people knew me as a hearing person. People gave up on me when I went deaf. I hardly had anyone in my corner. At first, I was shaken, and I let it knock me down. I had no confidence, and I almost quit softball for good. Eventually, I learned not to give up on myself. I got up and freed myself of that burden. It has been so liberating to be where I belong. The only person I needed was myself, a lesson I will keep for life! 

Division III Week Student-Athlete Spotlight: In My Words
Monday: Samson Abraham (Men's Soccer) | Lacey Drolsbaugh (Softball)
 
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.