Division III Week Student Spotlight – Reilly Feeney
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. April Reese, Logan Tucker and Reilly Feeney are today's featured student-athletes.
By Noah Diebel
Sports Information Assistant
Name: Reilly Feeney
Year: Senior
Hometown: Largo, Fla.
Major: Biology
Career Goals: Plans to become a Physician Assistant
Sport: Women's Soccer
Athletic Accomplishments: Feeney was a four-year member of the women's soccer team and appeared in 64 games during her Huntingdon career. As a freshman, Feeney and the Hawks made the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament for the first time. Huntingdon made the conference tournament in each of her four seasons and advanced to the USA South quarterfinals during each of the final three seasons.
Academic Achievements and Campus Activities: Feeney has been a member of the Dean's List and the USA South Academic All-Conference team. She has been involved with the Student Government Association and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has taken part in community service through Breakfast for Babies, Feeding America, Park Clean-up, Special Olympics and the MLK Day of Service.
What made you feel like Huntingdon was the right place for you? "Someone once told me when I was looking at colleges that I would know where I was supposed to be once I visited the "right" college. I knew that was Huntingdon after my first visit. I felt like I was home. The small size was perfect, and the support of student athletes was exactly what I was looking for."
As a student-athlete, what is your impression of Division III now compared to your first season? "Division III was perfect for me my freshman year all the way through my senior year. I was able to be a college athlete but still had plenty of time for my studies, a social life and work study."
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 have learned to not take for granted the time spent with friends and family because you really don't know the next time you'll get to see them. Make the best of your time together and don't hold grudges."
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 it would be to have patience. We will get through this. We are very resilient."
What advice would you give our current underclassmen and incoming recruits to better prepare them for the next few years? "If you don't like something at first, give it time and it may grow on you. Don't be quick to give up, make friends and find things that you do like."
How has your experience at Huntingdon prepared you for life after Huntingdon? "Huntingdon has prepared me with many things. My time here has taught me time management, to never give up and that hard work will always prevail."