University of Minnesota Athletics
Alumni Spotlight: Anna Nudell Lee
4/15/2019 12:02:00 PM | Soccer
Gopher alumna Anna (Nudell Lee) Amankwa looks back on her time representing the Maroon & Gold.
The fall season marked the 26th season of Minnesota women's soccer in which the Gophers claimed the title of Big Ten Tournament Champions and battled their way to the second round of the NCAA tournament to finish off the 2018 campaign. As the Maroon and Gold work to improve in the offseason, Gophersports has reconnected with some of the former student-athletes who set the foundation for the program's current success. First up in our spring alumni spotlights is Anna Nudell Lee Amankwa.
Amankwa, a Minneapolis native, took the field for the Gophers from 2001-03 after transferring from Seattle University in Washington where she had a standout freshman season for the Redhawks, taking the team to the NAIA Regional championship match and earning second-team NAIA All-America honors. The two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree then brought her talents to Minnesota where she notched two goals and seven assists for 11 points over the course of her three seasons. Find out what the former midfielder has been up to since her time on the University of Minnesota campus.
GS: Where has life taken you since you graduated from the University of Minnesota?
ANLA: Since graduating from the U of M 15 years ago, a lot has happened. I met my husband of ten years on a soccer field in Minneapolis playing co-ed soccer. He also played college soccer and we hit it off right away. Fourteen years later we still play soccer together. We have two daughters (5 and 2.5) that are very active and keep us on our toes. I have also worked for two different companies since graduating.
GS: Where do you currently live/work?
ANLA: We live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I work at U.S. Bank as a Senior Audit Manager in their Corporate Audit Services (internal audit) department.
GS: What personal or professional accomplishments are you most proud of since you graduated from the University of Minnesota?
ANLA: Professionally, passing all four parts of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam on the first try. I believe the passing rate for all four parts on the first time is approximately twenty something percent. Right after graduating I started studying for it. The exams are extremely hard!
GS: What are you most proud of from your time as a Gopher?
ANLA: The fact that I was able to do something that I love (play soccer) and obtain an excellent education at the same time. I was in the Carlson School of Management (business school) at the U of M, and majored in Accounting.
GS: What is the biggest difference in the program from when you were on the field to now?
ANLA: The brand new athletic building. It sounds awesome. Also, we never had an opportunity to travel internationally for soccer. That would have been an experience of a lifetime.
GS: What was the most important lesson that the sport taught you throughout your time as a soccer player?
ANLA: I learned by putting in hard work and dedication you can achieve your goals. You have to be persistent and not give up. These same lessons I have applied to all aspects of my life.
GS: What advice would you give your college self or the current Gophers?
ANLA: Enjoy the experience and live in the moment. Also, don't forget about the education piece and doing well in school.
GS: How did your college soccer career help prepare you for life after college?
ANLA: Many of the skills you learn while being a college athlete (e.g., time management, prioritizing, work ethic, communication, team work, etc.) are critical skills needed in the real world once you graduate. They are important both professionally and personally.
GS: Are you still involved with soccer or sports?
ANLA: Yes, I still play summer soccer with my husband on a co-ed team, and I occasionally sub on various other teams during the year. I also coach my daughter's soccer team.
Amankwa, a Minneapolis native, took the field for the Gophers from 2001-03 after transferring from Seattle University in Washington where she had a standout freshman season for the Redhawks, taking the team to the NAIA Regional championship match and earning second-team NAIA All-America honors. The two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree then brought her talents to Minnesota where she notched two goals and seven assists for 11 points over the course of her three seasons. Find out what the former midfielder has been up to since her time on the University of Minnesota campus.
GS: Where has life taken you since you graduated from the University of Minnesota?
ANLA: Since graduating from the U of M 15 years ago, a lot has happened. I met my husband of ten years on a soccer field in Minneapolis playing co-ed soccer. He also played college soccer and we hit it off right away. Fourteen years later we still play soccer together. We have two daughters (5 and 2.5) that are very active and keep us on our toes. I have also worked for two different companies since graduating.
GS: Where do you currently live/work?
ANLA: We live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I work at U.S. Bank as a Senior Audit Manager in their Corporate Audit Services (internal audit) department.
GS: What personal or professional accomplishments are you most proud of since you graduated from the University of Minnesota?
ANLA: Professionally, passing all four parts of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam on the first try. I believe the passing rate for all four parts on the first time is approximately twenty something percent. Right after graduating I started studying for it. The exams are extremely hard!
GS: What are you most proud of from your time as a Gopher?
ANLA: The fact that I was able to do something that I love (play soccer) and obtain an excellent education at the same time. I was in the Carlson School of Management (business school) at the U of M, and majored in Accounting.
GS: What is the biggest difference in the program from when you were on the field to now?
ANLA: The brand new athletic building. It sounds awesome. Also, we never had an opportunity to travel internationally for soccer. That would have been an experience of a lifetime.
GS: What was the most important lesson that the sport taught you throughout your time as a soccer player?
ANLA: I learned by putting in hard work and dedication you can achieve your goals. You have to be persistent and not give up. These same lessons I have applied to all aspects of my life.
GS: What advice would you give your college self or the current Gophers?
ANLA: Enjoy the experience and live in the moment. Also, don't forget about the education piece and doing well in school.
GS: How did your college soccer career help prepare you for life after college?
ANLA: Many of the skills you learn while being a college athlete (e.g., time management, prioritizing, work ethic, communication, team work, etc.) are critical skills needed in the real world once you graduate. They are important both professionally and personally.
GS: Are you still involved with soccer or sports?
ANLA: Yes, I still play summer soccer with my husband on a co-ed team, and I occasionally sub on various other teams during the year. I also coach my daughter's soccer team.
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