The main reason I’m in college is because I know it’s something I haft to do in order to get a good career and to be able to support myself. I wasn’t really sure where I wanted to go to college or how I was getting there I put most of my decisions on what happened with my softball career first. I was putting a lot of my future plans with college on my recruiting process with softball. During the summer of my junior year I was trying to get recruited to play at a D-I level school so I could get a scholarship and not haft to worry about how to pay for tuition. After some visits to schools I decided on Western Michigan University. On days when I’m walking to class in negative degree weather I sometimes ask myself why I chose to come here, but overall I’m so grateful to be here and have the opportunity to play collegiate softball. I’ve met some amazing people and have had some great memories. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for me in my future years here at Western Michigan University.

On a professional level, I’m really interested in developing a career in business advertisement or business marketing. I would love to get some kind of marketing or advertisement job working for a sports company such as Nike, Underarmor, or Adidas. I enjoy sports very much and if I could involve them in my job I think it would make me more motivated to succeed because I would actually enjoy what I was doing every day. In order to reach this goal I’m planning on keeping my gpa above a 3.0 and taking summer courses. I know I’m capable of reaching any goal I set my mind to and I will do anything it takes to get what I want. I’m a very motivated athlete and I believe that goes hand and hand with my school work.

Gracie Barstad