University of Minnesota Athletics
Alumna Spotlight: Andrea (Smith) Dahly
10/22/2020 11:56:00 AM | Softball
Andrea (Smith) Dahly was a two-year letterwinner as a part of the Gopher softball team. Starting her collegiate career at Rhode Island, Dahly transferred to Minnesota and played for the Gophers during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Dahly earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees at Minnesota and went on to earn a law degree from University of St. Thomas. She combined her love for law and athletics by working in compliance offices, including Minnesota for five years. Dahly now works at the American Athletic Conference in Irving, Texas. Read more on what Andrea has been up to in this alumna update.
What led you to the University of Minnesota?
I am originally from Minnesota, but spent my first two years of college at the University of Rhode Island because I was looking to pursue a degree in marine biology or marine sciences. After realizing I wanted more of a business degree, I transferred to the Carlson School of Management at the U because it had the reputation of a good business school, but also provided an opportunity for in-state tuition. Early on at the U, I discovered the sport management program in the College of Education and Human Development and loved it. In my first year as a transfer, I also managed the softball team (it might have helped that my best friend from high school was on the team), which eventually led me to joining the team as a student-athlete. Overall, deciding on a college was purely academic for me, but I ended up walking on the softball teams both at URI and at the U, which were truly life-changing opportunities that really enhanced my educational experience.
Can you give us an update as to what you've been up to since you graduated?
After obtaining my bachelor's and master's degree in sport management (I ended up playing my fifth year at the U to use up my eligibility), I went on to law school at the University of St. Thomas. At first, I wasn't sure if I would stay in the sports arena or use my law degree in some other way, but I interned in compliance at the U while in law school to keep getting experience in college athletics. After a brief stint as an actual lawyer, I started pursuing jobs in intercollegiate athletics and landed my first full-time job in compliance at the University of the Pacific in California. After a short period of time, the U had an opportunity open up and I couldn't turn it down. I then worked at the U for five years until I was afforded the opportunity to work in a Conference Office at the American Athletic Conference, where I am currently. We just relocated our office from Providence, R.I. to Irving, Texas this past summer. I have lived all over the country at this point! Along the way, I got married and now have two kids, Russ (4) and Remi (2) who definitely keep us on our toes!
Have you been able to maintain contact with your former teammates and if so, how?
The person I was closest to on the team at the U was actually someone who I knew and played with in high school. That person ended up managing the U of M softball team after me. She happened to transfer into the sport management program at the same time so our friendship really developed after high school because of both school and softball. Then we ended up working together at the U when I was there and living within a mile of each other at the time, which helped keep us close. I also developed a close friendship with another teammate who I lived with in college and a few others, including Coach Ritter, who I also worked with at the U and was the only Minnesota Gopher to attend her wedding in Belize! I have also stayed in close contact with a few teammates from Rhode Island that became lifelong friends. We have managed to call each other and see each other over the years and living back in Minnesota (and working at the U for a while) and Rhode Island also helped maintain that in-person connection. Sometimes it is hard because I now live in Texas and not close to either of those places. However, through social media I can maintain contact with quite of a few people and the close friendships I have were cemented so long ago in college that we inevitably find the time to catch up and see each other every now and then. I actually just texted a former Gopher teammate and friend out of the blue with a random question the other day so while we might not connect every day, I feel fortunate that I have friends who are never that far away even though we might live far away from each other.
What did you learn from Gopher softball that you've been able to use after college?
I think the biggest takeaway I learned from sports and college sports, including my time at the U, is dedication, loyalty, and commitment. I always considered myself a hard worker, but learning how to manage my time while devoting so much of it to softball was a real balancing act. And being a part of a team sport for so long, that seems to have transitioned a lot to the working world where I strive to make sure I am pulling my weight and doing the things I need to do to the best of my ability. Those were all qualities that might have been inherent, but really conditioned in me through participation in sports.
You and Coach Ritter were teammates. What was your reaction when you found out she was named the Gopher head coach?
I was absolutely thrilled! I spoke to her when the job became open and when she expressed interest I wanted to do whatever I could to help. I actually advocated for her to the administration and reached out to former teammates that also played with her to garner their support. I think it is a testament to who she is and how qualified she is for the position that so many people jumped on board. Coach Ritter was one of the hardest workers on our team and most dedicated to improving herself day in and day out to help the team both as a player and a coach that I knew she would be the right person to lead the program.
What advice would you give to current Gopher student-athletes?
My advice would be to enjoy every moment. There are hard days and sometimes it is a tough grind, but there is also a lot of satisfaction that goes into participating in college athletics and a lot to learn about yourself that you might not get, but for the experience. And lifelong friends that you meet along the way that transcend your short amount of time on the team.
What led you to the University of Minnesota?
I am originally from Minnesota, but spent my first two years of college at the University of Rhode Island because I was looking to pursue a degree in marine biology or marine sciences. After realizing I wanted more of a business degree, I transferred to the Carlson School of Management at the U because it had the reputation of a good business school, but also provided an opportunity for in-state tuition. Early on at the U, I discovered the sport management program in the College of Education and Human Development and loved it. In my first year as a transfer, I also managed the softball team (it might have helped that my best friend from high school was on the team), which eventually led me to joining the team as a student-athlete. Overall, deciding on a college was purely academic for me, but I ended up walking on the softball teams both at URI and at the U, which were truly life-changing opportunities that really enhanced my educational experience.
Can you give us an update as to what you've been up to since you graduated?
After obtaining my bachelor's and master's degree in sport management (I ended up playing my fifth year at the U to use up my eligibility), I went on to law school at the University of St. Thomas. At first, I wasn't sure if I would stay in the sports arena or use my law degree in some other way, but I interned in compliance at the U while in law school to keep getting experience in college athletics. After a brief stint as an actual lawyer, I started pursuing jobs in intercollegiate athletics and landed my first full-time job in compliance at the University of the Pacific in California. After a short period of time, the U had an opportunity open up and I couldn't turn it down. I then worked at the U for five years until I was afforded the opportunity to work in a Conference Office at the American Athletic Conference, where I am currently. We just relocated our office from Providence, R.I. to Irving, Texas this past summer. I have lived all over the country at this point! Along the way, I got married and now have two kids, Russ (4) and Remi (2) who definitely keep us on our toes!
Have you been able to maintain contact with your former teammates and if so, how?
The person I was closest to on the team at the U was actually someone who I knew and played with in high school. That person ended up managing the U of M softball team after me. She happened to transfer into the sport management program at the same time so our friendship really developed after high school because of both school and softball. Then we ended up working together at the U when I was there and living within a mile of each other at the time, which helped keep us close. I also developed a close friendship with another teammate who I lived with in college and a few others, including Coach Ritter, who I also worked with at the U and was the only Minnesota Gopher to attend her wedding in Belize! I have also stayed in close contact with a few teammates from Rhode Island that became lifelong friends. We have managed to call each other and see each other over the years and living back in Minnesota (and working at the U for a while) and Rhode Island also helped maintain that in-person connection. Sometimes it is hard because I now live in Texas and not close to either of those places. However, through social media I can maintain contact with quite of a few people and the close friendships I have were cemented so long ago in college that we inevitably find the time to catch up and see each other every now and then. I actually just texted a former Gopher teammate and friend out of the blue with a random question the other day so while we might not connect every day, I feel fortunate that I have friends who are never that far away even though we might live far away from each other.
What did you learn from Gopher softball that you've been able to use after college?
I think the biggest takeaway I learned from sports and college sports, including my time at the U, is dedication, loyalty, and commitment. I always considered myself a hard worker, but learning how to manage my time while devoting so much of it to softball was a real balancing act. And being a part of a team sport for so long, that seems to have transitioned a lot to the working world where I strive to make sure I am pulling my weight and doing the things I need to do to the best of my ability. Those were all qualities that might have been inherent, but really conditioned in me through participation in sports.
You and Coach Ritter were teammates. What was your reaction when you found out she was named the Gopher head coach?
I was absolutely thrilled! I spoke to her when the job became open and when she expressed interest I wanted to do whatever I could to help. I actually advocated for her to the administration and reached out to former teammates that also played with her to garner their support. I think it is a testament to who she is and how qualified she is for the position that so many people jumped on board. Coach Ritter was one of the hardest workers on our team and most dedicated to improving herself day in and day out to help the team both as a player and a coach that I knew she would be the right person to lead the program.
What advice would you give to current Gopher student-athletes?
My advice would be to enjoy every moment. There are hard days and sometimes it is a tough grind, but there is also a lot of satisfaction that goes into participating in college athletics and a lot to learn about yourself that you might not get, but for the experience. And lifelong friends that you meet along the way that transcend your short amount of time on the team.
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