Athletics

[caption id="attachment_61485" align="alignright" width="200"] Head Tennis Coach Brandon Ralston[/caption] What is your background in tennis? I started playing tennis when I was about 13 years-old. I fell in love with it immediately. Fortunately, I had a great tennis community available to me in my hometown, Cadillac. They wrapped their arms around me and encouraged me…

What is your background in esports? Professionally, I’d say it was a series of right place, right time. I never knew that this could be a career option for me when I went to college and so I pursued a career in library science. In 2019 I was in the right faculty senate meeting at…

What is your background in track and field and cross country? I have been involved in track and field/cross country for a very long time.  I competed in high school, college and post collegiately as a competitive runner.  My first coaching job was at a middle school where I taught math and coached track and…

What is your background in softball? Softball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a kid, both of my parents played slow-pitch softball and my dad would play low level professional slow-pitch across the east coast. I started playing baseball when I was 7 years old and…

Update 4:32 p.m. Last night, an incident occurred following the completion of our baseball game at Muskingum University (OH), when a member of the team returned to the dugout to retrieve a forgotten personal item. Upon doing so, an incident occurred involving an individual with a firearm, resulting in the student-athlete receiving nonlife-threatening injuries. He…

Members of the The University of Olivet Community: Last night, an incident occurred following the completion of our game at Muskingum University (OH), when a member of the team returned to the dugout to retrieve a forgotten personal item. Upon doing so, an incident occurred involving an individual with a firearm, who we understand is…

What is your background in Basketball? I started playing basketball as far back as I remember, on my Nerf hoop in the kitchen growing up! Used to drive my dad crazy. I was an assistant college coach for 13 years before getting my first head coaching job in 2011 at Alma college. I was there…

  Here at Olivet College, there is no cookie-cutter path to graduation. Everyone’s journey is a little different and customizable to their interests and goals. Kennedy Ellis discovered this early in her time with The University of Olivet when she decided on an independent major in sustainable agriculture. She has a specific career goal in mind.…

Emma Essen ’19 certainly spent her fair share of time crunching numbers as a double major in actuarial science and mathematics with a minor in computer science, but solving the equation of time management was her true focus. Since graduating, she’s started a career as data analyst and is also a part-time graduate student. Thanks…

Senior Alicia Bullaro is a sports/recreation management major and a media production and communication minor, as well as a member of the women’s basketball team. She’s excited to be working toward a career that will allow her to continue her passion for sports. Like many other Comets, Alicia’s network on campus is helping her reach…

Sophomore Emily Keeler already feels like a different person after just three semesters at The University of Olivet. She says she’s a more confident and outgoing version of her past self, with strong professional and personal goals. Emily is a member of the volleyball team and a sports psychology major, and she has great relationships…

Originally from Iron Mountain, a small town in the Upper Peninsula, Dakota Galeazzi made the trip south to begin his college journey at The University of Olivet. Dakota decided to attend Olivet because, when he first visited on a campus tour, it gave him a feeling of home. Dakota said, “Seeing the small classroom setting…

[caption id="attachment_45081" align="alignright" width="300"] Ryan Shockey, The University of Olivet vice president and chief of staff.[/caption] Ryan Shockey has been named vice president and chief of staff for The University of Olivet and will serve as a strategic adviser to President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D., effective May 10. Presently, Shockey is the The University of…

[caption id="attachment_45075" align="alignright" width="300"] Haley Hunnewell, The University of Olivet athletic director.[/caption] Haley Hunnewell has been named The University of Olivet athletic director and will serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet, effective May 10. Presently, Hunnewell serves as associate athletic director. “Since joining The University of Olivet in 2020 as an assistant athletic…

Laken Groll ’20 recently graduated from The University of Olivet with a biology degree. She focused on pre-medical studies and started her career with Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company, after graduation. Regardless of where Laken’s path takes her, she’s grateful to have the support and encouragement of the OC family, especially her professors and volleyball teammates.…

Junior Byron Pearce has a strong interest in weight-lifting and helping others. As a fitness management major, he hopes to combine these two passions to a successful career in the sports and fitness industry. “I was born and raised in Lansing, and I chose Olivet because it was a smaller school closer to home,” Byron…

[caption id="attachment_42815" align="alignright" width="222"] Christine with her uncle, Rich Hamann ‘85.[/caption] Christine (Moulton) Pedder ’11 leads an engaged life, focusing her love and passion on her family, youth sports, education, health, nutrition and community work. Her roots were planted in Olivet long before her freshman year of college with three uncles as alumni and family…

Senior Tyler Mojet is a fitness management major with a business concentration. He‘s involved in Greek life, a member of the football team and enjoys professional development opportunities. For Tyler, the combination couldn’t be more perfect. Read more about Tyler’s college journey. I am originally from Nashville, Tennessee, and moved to Lansing when I was…

Sophomore Macy Gorrell is a passionate soccer player and future insurance professional. She is eager to be building her professional network and personal self-confidence as a Comet, thanks to opportunities for relationship-building, traveling, service learning and much more. Hear more about Macy’s decision to become a Comet and life on campus. I visited Olivet during…

Junior Kaylee Richardson is a double major in accounting and financial planning with a career goal to become a chief financial officer. Olivet is her hometown, making the small community of The University of Olivet the perfect fit. For Kaylee, close relationships with her professors and the chance to play Division III sports were an…