National Student-Athlete Day at The U

There is nothing like being a student-athlete at the University of Miami. While most think student life features just palm trees and sunshine, Miami student-athletes strive to be the best they can on and off the court. UM student-athletes are thankful for the advantages and opportunities they have been given, and today, on National Student-Athlete Day, we look to celebrate them as well as the people who continue to make this experience possible. Listed below are the responses of several student-athletes representing various sports describing what they enjoy and appreciate about being a student-athlete at the University of Miami. 

Michael Burns

Q: What does it mean to attend and compete for UM?
A: Attending and competing for UM is an honor to be a part of the tradition and history. It’s a privilege to go to school in a place that offers a great education and a great program.

Q: What does your scholarship mean to you?
A: My scholarship gives me an opportunity to attend UM. It opened up doors that I didn’t think were available before the scholarship. Coming to this school I have found my passions and grown up in many different ways.

Q: What does the opportunity to be a student-athlete mean to you?
A: The opportunity to be a student athlete has taught me lessons in life that I will carry with me on to the next chapters of my life. It truly has made me the person I am today and gave me the confidence to make a difference in society.

Q: What would you say to the people who have donated to provide your experience at UM?
A: I would tell the people who donated for my experience thank you. Thank you for giving me my life back in many ways. I came to UM needing help to put my life back together. I am leaving confident and ready for the next step.

Erykah Davenport

Q: What does it mean to attend and compete for UM?
A: It’s truly and honor and a privilege to attend, compete and, most importantly, represent the University of Miami. I’ve been granted such a profound foundation for years to come because of the opportunity I’ve been given.”

Q: What would you say to the people who have donated to provide your experience at UM?
A: I’m so grateful and humbled to be supported by such great fans. You all have paved a way of excellence for so many and are truly appreciated. Thank you.

Dane Dunlap

Q: What does it mean to attend and compete for UM?
A: UM has always been my dream school since I moved here when I was 12. It’s such an honor to play for one of the most famous sport schools in the nation and in such an incredible environment. I love representing The U.

Q: What does your scholarship mean to you?
A: Being a student-athlete at The U is already such a privilege and the scholarship to make it happen is really amazing. It’s nice to know that all the hardships you and your family go through growing up with tennis finally pays off.

Q: What does the opportunity to be a student-athlete mean to you?
A: Tennis has always been the No. 1 passion of mine. To be able to compete at the highest level in the nation while getting a great education at the same time is second to none. Although it’s extremely difficult being a student-athlete, it is truly a blessing.”

Q: What would you say to the people who have donated to provide your experience at UM?
A: I can’t thank those enough who have made all of this possible. UM and its donors has truly built a stellar program for their student-athletes to thrive. When you are a part of the student-athlete family at UM, all your needs are taken care of.

Brittny Ellis

Q: What does it mean to attend and compete for UM?
A: As a student, I am fortunate to have been accepted into the School of Nursing and I am proud to wear my scrubs with the embroidered U as I learn from distinguished educators and train utilizing the new UM SONHS Simulation Hospital. As an athlete, I am fortunate to be guided by coach Deem and I am beyond proud to represent Miami on the track.

Q: What does your scholarship mean to you?
A: My scholarship means the world to me and has changed my trajectory in life. I was fortunate in that I had been recruited by a number of universities; however, UM was the only school that would allow me to pursue my academic dreams, even though the demands would interfere, at times, with competition. At this time, I give back as best I can by earning good grades, improving athletically and placing at ACC and NCAA meets, participating in SAAC and volunteering whenever possible.

Q: What does the opportunity to be a student-athlete mean to you?
A: Being a student-athlete at UM gives me the opportunity not only to excel as a student and an athlete. It allows me to challenge the accuracy of the stereotype of athletes and female athletes in particular, and be a role model for others.

Q: What would you say to the people who have donated to provide your experience at UM?
A: I cannot express my gratitude for the generosity of those who donate. Simply put, I would say “thank you for investing in who I am now and how I will leave my mark on the world.

Wally Layland

Q: What does it mean to attend and compete for UM?
A: UM has a special place in my heart since I grew up a Cane because my dad also went to UM and was a legendary diver, so going to the U has always been a dream of mine. Once I got here my goal was to leave a mark just like my dad did. Wearing the U is an honor and there is no better feeling than competing for Miami.

Q: What does your scholarship mean to you?
A: My scholarship means to me opportunity, because without it I would not be who I am or where I am right now. You learn so much while in college especially as a student-athlete, not only in the classroom but from all of the experiences that come with it. Opportunity leads to experience and experience leads to growth, and for that I am thankful. 

Q: What does the opportunity to be a student-athlete mean to you?
A: Being a student-athlete teaches you so many things to prepare you for what is yet to come. It is hard at times to the point where you do not think it’s possible to keep going, but the deeper you dig the further you can go. And that is something that I will carry with me through everything.

Q: What would you say to the people who have donated to provide your experience at UM?
A: I cannot put into words how appreciative I am, but I would want them to know that without their help I would not have everything being a student-athlete has given me. From life lessons to a college degree and everything in between. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. 

Zach McCloud

Q: What does it mean to attend and compete for UM?
A: Being able to attend and compete for UM is a decision I’ll be able to look back on and know I made the right choice. So many people are working for this same chance to be here so I have to make sure not to take my time here for granted.

Q: What does your scholarship mean to you?
A: My scholarship is a testament to the sacrifices I’ve made and the work I put in to get here. I never thought I’d earn a full ride to UM so breaking that limit is one of my proudest accomplishments.

Q: What does the opportunity to be a student-athlete mean to you?
A: The opportunity to be a student-athlete is one that comes with a great commitment. Commitment from myself as well as the professors, coaches, trainers, advisors, teammates, family, and anyone else that plays a part in making sure I’m able to be successful as long as I’m willing to carry the weight on my shoulders.

Q: What would you say to the people who have donated to provide your experience at UM?
A: To the people who have donated to provide my experience at UM, you are all too often overlooked. I appreciate what you’ve done for the school I love so much and will continue to push myself and others around me to reach new heights and honor your contributions with our achievements, thank you.

Phallon Tullis-Joyce

Q: What does it mean to attend and compete for UM?
A: The University of Miami is a powerhouse institution both academically and athletically.  Being able to play in one of the most competitive conferences, the ACC, for Women’s Soccer under southern suns and study the inhabitants of Miami’s sky-blue waters at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science has been a dream come true for me.
 
Q: What does your scholarship mean to you?
A: The scholarships that I have been so generously provided, are an opportunity.  An opportunity to play the sport I love at the highest level while conducting research in locations ranging from the wintery frontier of Alaska to the tropical paradise of the Solomon Islands.  Scholarship has provided me the ability to expand my horizons and pursue the best version of myself.
 
Q: What does the opportunity to be a student-athlete mean to you?
A: Wearing the orange and green on my chest is an honor.  To be able to represent the University of Miami on the field and in the classroom has given me the confidence to stand before crowds, the ability to appreciate a family composed of my teammates and fellow scholars, and the strength to overcome any obstacle.  All of this is from the generosity of the athletic community and our donors.
 
Q: What would you say to the people who have donated to help provide your experience at UM?
A: Thank you so much for your time, your effort, your dedication, and your belief in a Long Island girl with the dream to play soccer as a Miami Hurricane and graduate with a degree in marine science and biology from one of our nation’s greatest Universities.  Your philanthropy has transformed a shy girl into a competitive woman in STEM ready to graduate and pay back all of the generosity you have shown.
 
Q: How has UM allowed you to pursue your passions on and off the field?
A: Since I started kicking a ball at four years old and held my first fishing rod at five years old, my passions for soccer and marine biology have grown exponentially. Hands down, there is no other university so perfectly constructed for me; Playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference while studying the flora and fauna of the ocean has been nothing but encouraged by UM. The professors, coaches, advisors, faculty and staff of the University of Miami have created a home away from home for me that I am forever grateful for.

DJ Vasiljevic

Q: What does it mean to attend and compete at UM? 
A: It is an honor to be able to attend The University of Miami because it is such a great school, provides high level education and competition. It is unbelievable to compete at Miami due to the number of elite athletes that have come out of UM and gone on to do great things and have successful lives.  

Q: What does your scholarship mean to you?
A: The student-athlete scholarship that UM has offered me means a lot. It shows how hard I have worked both on the court and off of it in the classroom. Being able to represent UM in basketball is an honor because we get to go up against the greatest talent in the country and experience the feeling of being a regular student with a free education. The scholarship provides me an opportunity to finish up college with a degree in Business Management and Economics.  

Q: What does the opportunity to be a student-athlete mean to you? 
A: Growing up I’ve always dreamt about playing in the NBA or playing professionally in Europe somewhere. Being a student-athlete has opened my window with opportunities to play against the greatest talent in the nation but also meet new friends in the classroom. As much of an athlete as we are, we are regular people trying to represent UM at the best possible standard. 

Q: What would you say to the people who have donated to provide your experience at UM? 
A: What I would say is where would I be without them? The opportunity they have provided me is once in a lifetime and I have definitely taken full advantage of it. Without the donations, we wouldn’t be able to have student-athletes and I wouldn’t be able to play against the best talent and meet new people from all over the world.