Division III Week Student Spotlight – Sidney Ison
This week is NCAA Division III Week and member institutions across the country are celebrating the ninth-year event.
Division III Week, which runs from Monday through Sunday, is intended to recognize the academic and athletic accomplishments as well as the campus leadership and community service efforts of Division III student-athletes.
As part of Huntingdon College's participation in Division III Week, 18 student-athletes will be featured this week. Sidney Ison, Charvez' Hobson and Mary Stanley are today's featured student-athletes.
By Brittany Greene
Sports Information Assistant
Name: Sidney Ison
Year: Senior
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
Major: Biochemistry
Sport: Women's Basketball
Athletic Accomplishments: Ison is a four-year member of the women's basketball program and a two-time USA South Athletic Conference All-Sportsmanship team selection. During her career, the Hawks won 71 games, reached the USA South Conference Tournament every season, advanced to the quarterfinals three times and reached the conference semifinals for the first time.
Academic Achievements and Campus Activities: Ison has been named to the Dean's List of High Honors and the USA South Academic All-Conference team, received the Marion Black Chemistry Award and was chosen as Homecoming Queen. She has been a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Student Government Association, President of the Pre-Health Club, a Huntingdon College Ambassador, Orientation Leader, Resident Assistant and member of Campus Ministries
What made you feel like Huntingdon was the right place for you? "When I came on a campus tour at Huntingdon, I had the opportunity to meet with some of the professors within the chemistry department. I knew that I was choosing a rather challenging major, and with me being a student-athlete, being able to have a close-knit relationship with my professors and those within the chemistry department was important to me. Meeting with those professors on my tour gave me confidence that the professors at Huntingdon would go above and beyond to ensure the success of their students."
As a student-athlete, what is your impression of Division III now compared to your first season? "There is a stereotype around Division III sports that enforces the idea that athletes within a Division III school do not have to work as hard. I did not know what to expect during my first season. However, looking back I can say that as a Division III student-athlete, a lot was required of me both in the classroom and on the court. I was expected to work hard in every avenue of campus life."
With the COVID-19 pandemic changing the world we live in, what have you learned about the compassion and resiliency of your friends, family and classmates? "I think that given the circumstances of our current situation, my friends, family, and classmates have adjusted in the best way we know how. We are all trying to adapt to this temporary new lifestyle, but in the midst of it all we are all staying in touch with one another and trying to make the most out of this situation. I am not surprised by my friends' and classmates' willingness to help each other navigate online classes, whether it's studying together via FaceTime, helping each other learn new concepts, etc. We have always tried to work together to ensure that we all succeed and that has continued even though we are no longer together on campus."
If you could offer one piece of encouragement at this time to your friends, family and classmates, what would it be? "If I could offer one piece of encouragement during this time it would be to try to remain hopeful and optimistic. This is a very uncertain time for all of us. For many of us, this pandemic has taken away precious time and precious memories that we will never get back. It's easy to dwell on these things, but I want to challenge you to stay encouraged and focus not on what this pandemic has caused you to lose, but rather what you can gain and learn from it all."
What advice would you give our current underclassmen and incoming recruits to better prepare them for the next few years? "My biggest piece of advice to current underclassmen and incoming recruits would be to get involved during your time at Huntingdon. It's very easy to just go to class and just be involved within your sport. However, getting involved in other activities and clubs that Huntingdon has to offer will be very rewarding to you in the future. It allows you to meet new people and make new friends and you learn a lot about yourself when you get outside of your comfort zone. Go all in and don't be afraid to try new things."
How has your experience at Huntingdon prepared you for life after Huntingdon? "My experience at Huntingdon has prepared me for life after undergrad in more ways than one. Over the course of these last four years, Huntingdon has nurtured my leadership skills, pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to network within my field to gain invaluable experience. Huntingdon has prepared me so well academically that I go into my pursuit of medical school with full confidence in my preparation."