As there are more than 380,000 students nationwide competing in NCAA sports, the term student-athlete is familiar at most universities and colleges. John Carroll takes pride in their student-athletes and encourages them to succeed both inside and outside of athletic competition.

Senior Brynn McNicholas, a member of the women's soccer team, is one of many Blue Streak athletes who has proven to succeed in several aspects of John Carroll, including academics, athletics and campus organizations.

“It is critically important to the athletic department for athletes to succeed outside of athletics,” said Athletic Director Laurie Massa. “The first goal is student-athlete development on both sides. The second goal is paying attention to academics, and finally the athletes need to maintain competitive excellence.”

McNicholas, who is a quadruplet from Kirtland, Ohio, has managed to achieve each of these goals during her four years at John Carroll. McNicholas is a Middle Childhood Education major, specializing in math and science. She has maintained a 3.9 GPA and made the dean's list every semester.

“I have been able to keep a 3.9 GPA because I think as an athlete you realize that there are 24 hours in a day and sometimes you have to use almost all 24 of them,” said McNicholas. “Having such a big commitment like soccer teaches you to balance your time and stay organized.”

Aside from the soccer team, McNicholas is extremely active on campus. She is an Admissions tour guide, member of the women's club basketball team and the secretary of the Chi Omega sorority. She is an inductee of Order of Omega and Phi Eta Sigma, which are both Greek honors societies.

One of the most prestigious awards she eceived was the Reverend Joseph O. Schell Ignatian Award for Excellence in Education, named in honor of the late John Carroll president who passed away last year.

"Brynn's community involvement and academic accomplishments display to her teammates that it is possible to excel in many things while competing in college athletics,” said women's soccer head coach Tracy Blasius. “Brynn has been a great leader and role model for our program. She has demonstrated excellent time management and organizational skills and has been an inspiration to many of us surrounding her.”

Coming from a large family, McNicholas is very family oriented. Not only is she one of a set of a quadruplets, but she also has three older siblings. McNicholas admits that her parents, Kevin and Phyllis McNicholas, are her heroes.

“I come from a very active family," said McNicholas. "Growing up, all seven of us were always running around the house and competing. Organized sports became a structured way for all of us to use our competitive nature."

Even with seven children in the house, McNicholas never felt short-changed on love or affection.

"My family is very loving and supportive of each other," said McNicholas. "Some of my fondest memories have been playing sports with my sister and having my brothers being my biggest fans on the side.”

Perhaps being part of such a large family made the transition to a large soccer team easy. It may help explain how, in her role as a senior leader, she helped the 2008 team function like a family.

“As a senior class, we were focused on being the best we could be," said McNicholas. "We had a lot of talent this year and we did not want to waste it. Together, the seniors made sure we stayed a team and a solid group of friends”

McNicholas has been a integral member of the Blue Streaks since arriving on campus in 2005. A three-year letterwinner, McNicholas was named the team's Most Improved Player and was earned honorable mention Academic All-OAC status in 2007.

“When it comes to soccer, I will miss the challenge," said McNicholas. "I enjoy going to practice every day and competing for my space on the field. Our team knows how to compete, and we know how to have fun doing it.  I will also miss the games and the competition, they both make life exciting and challenging. Of course, I will also miss being a part of the team.  This year was my favorite season and it's going to be hard to let it all go.”

McNicholas also states that the 2008 Bermuda training trip made a large impact on her soccer career, as it brought her closer to her teammates and enabled her to play the sport she loves so far away.

“Over the course of her career, her soccer skills have improved significantly and she has become one of our stronger players," said Blasius. "She played with her heart on her sleeve and we will miss her voice on and off the field."

Reflecting back on an athletic career that included three goals, seven assists and three OAC Tournament appearances, McNicholas can be satisfied by helping maintain a strong soccer tradition at the school. But it is the legacy she leaves behind as a student-athlete that may be the most significant achievement of her career.

“Brynn has been a role model not just for her teammates, but also other students at John Carroll," said Massa. "She has demonstrated the possibility to succeed by managing her priorities and sacrificing the things that are not as important.”