UCCS Athletics

The Department of Athletics will feature a UCCS student-athlete each week during the 2018-19 academic year.  This week's Mountain Lion Spotlight features women's soccer sophomore Tori Maydew from Arvada, Colo.
 
Why did you choose UCCS? 
I chose UCCS for multiple reasons: I loved the girls on the team, the view of Pikes Peak, the campus, and our head coach Sian Hudson. Before I came on my visit to UCCS I was verbally committed to Metro. I had a feeling that I wasn’t going to fit in there, so I decided to come to UCCS. I instantly fell in love with the campus and after meeting the team I felt right at home. With that being said, I de-committed from Metro and chose to follow my heart and make my home here at UCCS.
 
What is your major and why? My major is currently Exercise Ccience with a double minor in Physical Therapy and Psychology. I decided to pursue physical therapy because I have had ankle reconstruction and bi lateral hip surgery throughout my soccer career so far. My physical therapists have had a huge impact on my life. Not only did they help me physically and make it so that I can continue to play but they also helped me mentally. They helped me become the player I am today and I would like to have a positive impact like that on athletes one day.
 
What do you plan to do after you graduate? After graduation I am off to Sweden to complete grad school and an internship. I was accepted into their foreign exchange student program at the beginning of this year. The program pays for my grad school as long as I maintain a 3.0 GPA and I complete a two-year internship.
 
What is your favorite part of being a Mountain Lion? My favorite part of being a Mountain Lion is the culture that surrounds the school. It is a very unique atmosphere that brings out the best in people, because we are offered so many opportunities.
 
What is your favorite part of being on your team here at UCCS? My favorite part of being on my team here at UCCS is that we are a big family. We are with each other through the high and lows that everyone experiences in their college years. It is reassuring that I will always have a support system of 30+ teammates.
 
What is the most difficult/rewarding part of being a student-athlete? Being a student-athlete is a lot harder than I thought it would be, time management is the most difficult part. Trying to balance school, soccer, a social life, and all that comes with being a college student can be very draining. However, I would say that the most rewarding thing about being a student-athlete are the memories that I am able to make with my teammates. Whether it is a late-night study session with them or holding a championship trophy over our heads. Every moment counts with these girls and I wouldn't want it any other way.