Kaitlin DeTroia '07

I don’t think that I could have stumbled upon better training for life than being part of a team. As part of the AU Field Hockey Team I was prepared both academically and emotionally for many of the challenges I face in the work place.

Coming to AU as a freshman field hockey player I was required to attend study hall along with the other freshman.  I found that although this time was helpful, I needed more of a one on one environment.  The academic support I received was that and more.  Meeting with an academic support counselor and the other tutors on a weekly basis gave me the confidence I needed to compete in the classroom.  As a student-athlete there were classes I had to miss while we traveled throughout the season, and had I not been able to work with the tutoring staff during those times I feel that I would have fallen behind drastically.  I was very lucky to have a coach like Steve Jennings.  Steve and the coaching staff took an interest in all of his players and as most of his players were academically great he was able to spend personal time with myself and others who needed extra attention.  It was good to know that I had a group behind me giving me support and guidance I needed to be successful in my classes.  Although, some classes were more strenuous then others I was able to hold my own in all.

Athletically I always knew that my fate was in my own hands, but academically I was in need of the support and direction which I received above and beyond any of my expectations.  All of the axioms about being on a team are true for most, but unless you have been a part of an AU Field Hockey Team you cannot know the support and caring which you are a part of including the families of your teammates, the coaching staff, the academic support staff and everyone else involved in the program.  I have attempted to recreate part of this in my workplace.  I strongly believe that teamwork is the basis for every successful venture.  There are very few things you can do by yourself during the work day and as a part of a very successful team I have the skills and the background to bring that belief to every place I work.  During a typical day I will have contact with designers, salespeople, distributors, buyers, delivery personnel and many others.  I am comfortable consulting with each level and know that being able to interact and get my point across with them only helps me support my business.

My time at AU was awesome!  I am the person I am today because of the influence of the experience I had with my team and the guidance and friendship rendered by my coaching staff and AU community.

Kaitlin currently works at Bill Blass in New York, New York.