JagBytes

Media Credit: Marcos Dominguez Freshman defender Amanda Snyder goes for the ball during the game versus Evansville on Sept. 30. The Jags lost 1-1- to a goal scored in the first half of the game.

Freshman student-athlete Amanda Snyder wishes she had more time to relax, slow down and catch her breath.

Life has always been busy for Snyder, however, this year-as many freshman can attest- it has become a little more cumbersome. With weight lifting beginning at eight in the morning, classes that last until soccer practice at three, and study tables that finish around 9:30, she finds herself with little free time."The biggest thing for me has been time," Snyder said. "In high school I would be able to sit down after my homework and watch TV or go on the Internet. Now there is absolutely no time for that at all. What I miss the most is being able to have just a little bit to myself."

The transition has been eased by her learning community-comprised mostly of other student-athletes that share the same classes- and other upperclassmen that have given advice on being successful at both.

"I'm doing really well this semester," Snyder said. "This is a big transition for most of us, especially with the added sports involvement." Adversity is an obstacle that Snyder has overcome before.

In her sophomore year at Avon high school (Avon, Ind.) Snyder tore the ACL in her knee and returned on time for her junior season, possibly a better athlete for it.

"The biggest thing for me was the way she came back better and stronger from that injury," Avon high school coach Brian Holmer said. "A lot of players these days lose a step or some of their ability after something like that. Amanda came back as a better player and person. I don't think she gets enough credit for that."

Even with her drive and determination Snyder relied heavily upon her family to recover physically and mentally. Amanda's' mother woke her up at all hours of the night to stretch and focused on giving her the care she needed.

"She was my main support," Snyder said. "My dad and her were right there by my side throughout it all. They took great care of me and pushed me to recover quickly. I didn't want to miss out on soccer. I love the sport way too much."

After her torn ACL, Snyder reflected upon the assistance others gave her when she became injured. It inspired her to do the same for others and she decided to pursue a nursing degree. She even went as far as job shadowing the doctor who operated on her to learn more.

Snyder donates some of the little time she does have to a soccer league for children on Indianapolis's west side at the 10th Street Sports Center. The center has a program called "Little Kickers" that Snyder helps coach teaching soccer skills for children.

"I'm not going to work there during the season because of time constraints," Snyder said. "I teach three classes during the weekend and one during the week."

Snyder had offers from Purdue, Indiana State, and University of Southern Indiana but chose IUPUI believing it would give her the best fit academically and athletically. She came into the year believing she would be a walk-on, however, through the determination and hard work she has always shown Snyder is now a scholarship player.

"She was a player we definitely wanted to have but probably were not going to have money for," IUPUI coach Chris Johnson said. "Over the summer Amanda was one of the kids who came to virtually all of the workouts our seniors put together. She put forth that kind of effort all summer long and we wanted to reward her for that."

Due to a lack of offense so far this season, coach Johnson shifted to a 4-4-2 formation recently that takes advantage of Snyder's speed and ability. Outside midfielder was her position at Avon and with the change she returned to the spot she feels most comfortable.

"It's amazing," Snyder said. "I just love playing the outside I feel like I have so much more room. I'm just so excited to be playing here, I love it."

Article Tools