12 Questions with CSU's Jamie Bouyer
Jan. 31, 2005
Bouyer received several accolades throughout her CSU career, but it was the friendships she made along the way that will likely have the largest impact on her life. Her interest in Sports Management may keep her around the court in some capacity for years to come. Horizonleague.org wondered what it was like to stay successful on the court and in the classroom over her four-year career, and where Jamie may be headed now that her collegiate career is over.
Q: Of all of the accolades you have received, which do you feel most proud of, or which holds the most significance to you and why?
A: Honorable Mention All-American! To receive such an award on a team that is not well known or have even made it to NCAA tournaments shows that coaches respect my talent as a volleyball player.
Q: Why did you decide to attend Cleveland State University?
A: Close to home, chance to play as a freshman, loved the coaching staff and the players.
Q: What was your involvement and what was your experience at the 2003 NCAA leadership conference in Orlando, Florida?
A: The NCAA leadership conference reinforced my skills on how to be a team leader on and off the volleyball court. Everyone at the conference had some type of leadership qualities about them and we all worked together to achieve a common goal. Not only did I learn a lot if new things, but I also made life-long friends with student-athletes that have similar goals and aspirations as I have.
Q: Was it a benefit to both your academic and athletic career having your family nearby in Bedford Heights?
A: Yes, I did not have to go through the "home sickness" that a lot of college students go through when they leave home. However, my parents have always supported me throughout my entire life. Whether I stayed in Cleveland or not, my parents have always taught me to do the best that I can do in everything that I do.
Q: What is the thing you will miss most about being part of a team as a player and teammate to others?
A: Being part of a team!!! I have made so many close friends throughout my volleyball career at Cleveland State. My coach made it very important that the team realized that we were a family no matter what happened. Forget the volleyball, but I will never forget my teammates/sisters and everything that we have been through.
Q: What did you find to be the most challenging part of volleyball, and how does it compare with the challenges you have had to face in the classroom as a student?
A: The biggest challenge among volleyball, school, and everything else is TIME MANAGEMENT. To be a full-time volleyball player, a full-time student, a member of this committee, a member of that committee, the list could go on for days. Being able to stay organized to make sure I accomplished everything that needed to be accomplished was tough. I had to make sure to take one day at a time and try not to overload myself on things out of my control.
Q: How has being a student athlete enhanced your college experience at Cleveland State University?
A: It helped me build a social network of friends so that I could go to CSU and have fun. Instead of just going to CSU to go to class, I had something or someone to look forward to every time I stepped on campus. Also, with my major being sports management, it has also helped me gain first hand experience with the CSU Athletic Department. I have made myself available to the department so that they can help me get to where I want to go.
Q: Has your major in Sports Management had any influence on the way you view yourself as an athlete or others around you?
A: Having a sports management major makes me appreciate all the hard work and dedication it takes from the athletic administration staff to make it possible for me, as well as the other athletes, to play our respective sports. With this major, I have experienced many "behind the scenes" actions that it takes for athletes to be athletes.
Q: Can you describe the difficulties of maintaining a high performance level academically while striving to perform at an equal level on the court?
A: I had to keep volleyball separate from school. When it was time to play volleyball, it was time to play volleyball. Vice-versa, when it was time to be a student, it was time to be a student. Keeping those two activities separate from each other helped me excel in both.
Q: As a graduating senior, can you offer any advice to your younger teammates or other athletes that may be just starting their own collegiate careers?
A: Make sure you have fun. At times you may think that you aren't going to make it, but the fact of the matter is that you will. No matter how much you might struggle one day, tomorrow is a new day. If you sit back and look at some of your down moments, some of them may be rather funny.
Q: During your off-season, how do you like to spend the extra amount of free time that you have?
A: I keep myself as busy as possible. I am not the type of person to that can stay still for very long. As long as I have no plans, I am up for anything, even if that means picking up little jobs on the side.
Q: What are your career plans after graduation this spring?
A: Immediately I would like to go to grad school and obtain my MBA while holding a graduate assistantship. After that I plan to attain a career in sports administration on the collegiate or professional level.
