Courtney  Bergum, a golfer from Winona State, and Sean Butcher, a soccer player from St. Mary’s University, spoke to Mr. Whaley’s junior high classes about  their experiences as college athletes and being involved in a student activity group.

“The president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee approched me about talking with our junior high students regarding Division III athletics,” Mr. Whaley said. “He believed they would provide a message to our students that would be good for them to hear.”

For the most part, 7th and 8th graders had a positive reaction to their message.

“Although many of our junior high students will not participate in college athletics the message from the SAAC group went beyond just athletics.”

The college athletes provided junior high students some information on organization and participation; Pparticipation in college athletics or activities requires solid organization skills and efficient use of time.

“I was hoping that our students would be respectful of the college students and listen with their opened mind and heart. I felt it was a positive growth experience for our students and members of SMU/WSU SAAC committees,” Mr. Whaley.

All in all, we believed that the interview was benefited to most of our junior high students. We are glad that they could get this chance and thankful for the college athletics that participated!