Student-Athlete Spotlight: Sami Strathern

Sports: Field Hockey, Tennis
Year: Senior (C'20)
Position: Midfielder
Hometown/High School: Great Meadows, N.J./Hackettstown
Major: Studio Art (Education Concentration)
Minors: Art History, Media & Communications

Why did you choose Drew University?
There were a lot of factors that played into my decision but really I fell in love with Drew’s campus from my first visit. The location was perfect for me since it is close to my hometown but not too close, and also a quick train ride to one of my favorite cities. These are not the only reasons but some of the unique factors. 

Why did you choose your major and what has been your favorite course?
Art has always been one of my true passions in life and the Studio Art program at Drew has only made my love for art grow. My favorite course so far was the New York Semester on Contemporary Art, in which I had the ability to travel to the city every Friday throughout the semester to visit artists' studios, galleries, and museums all over the city.

What is your most memorable moment as a Ranger?
This past season my teammates and I beat Ramapo in overtime. In this game I scored my first goal as a Ranger and got to watch the ball travel up the field in a beautiful way, leading up to my friend and co-captain Kate’s golden goal!

How has being an athlete helped you as a student and in the classroom?
There are so many ways being an athlete affects me as a student, but one of the major impacts I’ve noticed is that as an athlete I’m very competitive in the classroom. This has helped me to maintain good grades and participate frequently in the classroom. Being an athlete has also taught me that challenges aren’t something to stay away from but to take head-on, which has helped me excel in the classroom as well.

What is the most difficult part of your sport?
Something I find really challenging in field hockey is body control. It is pretty difficult to have both speed and control of your own body when running to a ball in open space. Field hockey is a non-contact sport which changes the way you have to position your body when you run and play, which can be difficult. 

Why do you wear your jersey number?
The number 3 is actually really significant in my life. It has always been my lucky number, and has followed me all my life. But the real reason I wear the number 3 is because it’s been my number since I first started playing field hockey when I was 8 years old. I’ve never had a different number. 

What advice do you have for a prospective Drew University student-athlete?
Drew is a place for discovery, so my advice would be to follow your passions. It’s okay to not know everything about yourself right now but if you have a sport you are passionate about, then play. If there is a class you are interested in, take it. At Drew it is very possible that you will uncover a hidden passion or talent that you never knew about and it could end up being your future. 

Why is community service important to your role as a student-athlete at Drew?
Community service has been therapeutic for me. Whether it is through the clubs I lead on campus or through my team, giving back to my community has helped me in ways nothing else can. The feeling I get from giving to others is something I can’t explain or get from anything else. Not only do I know I’m helping others, but I know I’m making myself a more holistic and experienced person in doing so.

Name one obstacle or form of adversity you have had to overcome...
I am the first in my family to attend college, so the process of applying and making college work was a really big obstacle for me. My family and I had no idea how any of it worked and we even started looking at colleges my freshman year of high school. Through tireless nights and many long travels to random universities, we somehow found Drew right under our noses. I am endlessly thankful for the admissions staff at Drew for their help in my understanding of the application process and the financial aspect. No matter my decision, the admissions counselors at Drew helped me to apply to all of the colleges I thought about and without them, my parents, and friends I would not be where I am today. At the time this seemed like an impossible journey but now that I am here I know there is no other place I’d rather be.

Rapid Fire:
Color?  Pink
Food?  Chicken Parm
Restaurant? Hot Dog Johnny's
Movie? Aristocrats
TV Show? Chopped
Musical Artist? Joji
Athlete? Kat Sharkey
Pro Team? Mets
Hobbies? Rock collecting
Biggest Fear? The dark
Most Prized Possession? Thomas my cat