S.A.A.C Senior Spotlight: Jodi Ulkekul
10/29/2018 11:00:00 AM | Student-Athlete Support Services
Get to know Gonzaga senior Jodi Ulkekul
The SAAC Student-Athlete Spotlight is a weekly series that will highlight and promote senior Zag student-athletes on and off the playing field. This week's student athlete is Jodi Ulkekul from the women's soccer team.
Jodi has been highly successful in the classroom throughout her career at GU. She made the Dean's List in both semesters of her sophomore year and went on to improve that by making the President's List in both of her semesters as a junior. Jodi is a Kinesiology major and she currently holds a 3.65 GPA. Jodi is also a team captain. This year, she has scored four goals and recorded two assists. Against San Diego, she scored two goals, including the game winning goal in the 103rd minute.
We caught up with the senior forward from Sammamish, Wash., to gain some insight on her experience as a student-athlete at Gonzaga.
If you could go on a vacation, where would you go and why?
Turkey - it's where my family is from and I've never been before and I can't wait to see it one day
What is your favorite memory as a Zag?
Scoring against BYU at home last year in the fourth minute
What are you hoping to do with your degree post-graduation?
Go to Physical Therapist Assistant school and become a PTA
What does it mean to be a Zag?
To me, being a Zag means that you support members of your school and community, regardless of differences. Being a Zag is seen not only during years of education, but long after graduation when meeting fellow Zags down the road and helping each other out because we are ultimately a part of a special family.
Favorite community service event at Gonzaga
Trunk or Treat - seeing all the kids in costumes is always so cute and being able to put smiles on families' faces is so fulfilling
A favorite quote you live by:
2 Timothy 1:7
"I did got give you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline."
What were your first thoughts/feelings/emotions when competing as a Division 1 athlete for your first time?
"Wow these girls are really fast."
What is the biggest challenge as a student-athlete?
Balancing all the demands and learning how to recognize which priorities are most important.
Why is community service important to your role as a student-athlete at Gonzaga?
We live in an area where some people live in constant need of support and service and being able to contribute my time to help those people reminds me of the big picture behind why service should drive all our lives.
