University of Minnesota Athletics
Lynn and Murgic Receive Gopher Monthly Award
10/1/2014 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The University of Minnesota and the Gopher athletics student-athlete development program will recognize one male and one female student-athlete each month, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty as ambassadors of the maroon and gold. New this year, Gopher athletics will announce its 'Most Valuable Gophers' at the start of each month. The first-ever recipients of this monthly award goes to men's tennis player Jeremy Lynn and women's track and field's Katie Murgic.
Criteria for the award will be based on one or more of the three student-athlete development areas:
· Leadership - leadership roles on athletic team, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representatives, student group participation, campus panels, team hosts or other roles as ambassadors of the Maroon and Gold, campus committees
· Professional Development - embracing career opportunities on campus and programs offered by the athletics department, to include: internships, volunteer and part-time employment focused on career development.
· Commitment to Service - volunteering through MAGIC and on their own in the community (may or may not be career related). All hours considered are logged through the University of Minnesota system.
September 2014 Male MVG: Jeremy Lynn (men's tennis)
Jeremy Lynn held the most volunteer hours for a male student-athlete in the month of September. Throughout the month, he volunteered at the annual HopeDay Festival, Gopher Athletics' largest community service event of the year. He also attended and volunteered his time at the Party of the Plaza, which was a University of Minnesota function, as it kicked off the 2014-15 academic year. Lynn, a native of Joplin, Missouri, also volunteered 12 hours of his time at a team event as the Gophers, as the Gopher tennis team prepared for the 2014 fall season.
Q: How were you able to balance being a student-athlete and put forth so many community service hours?
Jeremy Lynn: Now that I'm a sophomore, I feel like I know how to manage my time more efficiently. Being a student athlete is certainly a time commitment, but if you manage your days the right way you can still find the hours to do the things you love to do. This year, I want to be more involved in the community not only for because I want to, but also because I feel a moral obligation. I have been given so many wonderful opportunities in my life that if I weren't to give back at all I would feel selfish.
Q: What was your favorite event that you volunteered for?
JL: Hope Day was my favorite part of volunteering this month. Being around the HopeKids children was a really rewarding experience. It was honestly a privilege get to spend some time with them.
Q: How do you think you'll continue to maintain a commitment to service or with MAGIC?
JL: There are so many volunteering opportunities that I can take part in here in the Twin Cities. I plan on getting more involved this year with the community.
Q: What skills are you gaining or using through your commitment to service and steps toward your career advancement that will help you grow as a leader?
JL: Volunteering is facilitating my growth as a leader in many regards. Volunteering is something that forces you to take initiative. You are put into situations where you have to make important decisions. You can either sit back and watch everything unfold, or you can hold yourself and others accountable by making sure that you and you peers do the best job possible. Making tough decisions is important in order to become a successful leader and I'm learning and practicing this through volunteering.
September 2014 Female MVG: Katie Murgic (track & field)
Katie Murgic is advancing her professional career as she is volunteering her time at the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital as a part of her classwork. The pole valuter from Rosemount, Minnesota is a child psychology major and is working towards her degree. Volunteering over 33 hours this month, Murgic has also volunteered at the HopeDay Festival and the Party on the Plaza.
Q: How were you able to balance being a student-athlete and put forth so many community service hours?
Katie Murgic: In order the balance school, track, and volunteering I just really had to plan ahead when scheduling. I have a weekly routine for my shifts at the Children's Hospital then I picked up extra events whenever I had down time in my schedule. It's easier for me to do more volunteering during the fall when track is not in season so I try and make an effort at this time.
Q: What was your favorite part about volunteering during this month?
KM: My favorite volunteering event this past month was a Gopher tailgate on the front lawn of the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital. The event included a grill out, lawn games and Gopher football game tickets for past and present patients/families so that was fun to help out at.
Q: How do you think you'll continue to maintain our commitment to service or with MAGIC?
KM: Aside from my shifts at the Children's Hospital each week I will continue to pick up volunteer events through MAGIC since it's always fun to volunteer with teammates and friends. I really enjoy working the Hope Kids events in particular!
Q: What skills are you gaining or using through your commitment to service and steps toward your career advancement that will help you grow as a leader?
KM: My experience with volunteering has helped me become more self-motivated and proactive in managing my schedule in order to have time to give back to others. As a volunteer, I have to hold myself accountable for my motivation and actions which are highly transferable skills to not only my athletics, but also my future career.
Players Mentioned
