LANCASTER, Pa. - The Atlantic East Conference is pleased to introduce the Alumni Spotlight Series, where it celebrates the remarkable achievements and inspiring journeys of former student-athletes who once proudly represented our member institutions. These individuals have continued in the athletics field, showcasing exceptional dedication, and bringing honor to both their alma maters and the league.
Through hard work, resilience, and the values they cultivated during their time as student-athletes, our featured alumni continue to exemplify the core principles of the Atlantic East. Join us as we highlight their stories, share their accomplishments, and explore how their experiences as student-athletes helped shape their careers and communities. Our first spotlight recognizes a recent graduate of our newest conference member Pratt Institute.
Name: Ava Hunwick
Sport: Women’s Soccer and Women’s Track and Field
Graduation Year: 2024
Current Role: Graduate Assistant at Vermont State University-Johnson
Describe your current job and your connection to sports?
In my current role, I am a graduate assistant for the athletic department where I assist the Sports Information Director and I am also an assistant coach for the track and field team.
What makes coaching important to you?
Coaching is important to me because I feel a responsibility to help athletes enjoy their sport and work toward their goals in a positive, collaborative environment. Sports often provide students with a much-needed outlet from academic and personal stress, giving them something positive to focus on and look forward to. I also believe in creating a collaborative environment where athletes feel comfortable sharing their own thoughts and ideas. My goal is not to push my own agenda but to work together with each athlete, incorporating their feedback to shape our approach. I also strive to share my experiences as an athlete, hoping to provide guidance and lessons I would have valued as a student-athlete myself.
Best Memory at Pratt:
Honestly, some of my best memories at Pratt come from the everyday moments during games and practices. Whether it was being out on the field with teammates, hitting a clean through ball, pushing through a tough track workout, or just laughing through drills. Those experiences created a strong sense of camaraderie and connection. I miss the excitement, the energy. Those shared moments made every day fun and meaningful, and I’ll always carry those memories with me.
How has mentorship influenced your transition into professional practice?
My former coach from Pratt actually reached out to me because he thought I would be a good fit for this position. Without that strong mentorship relationship, I wouldn’t have known about this opportunity or believed in my readiness to take it on. His guidance and belief in me have not only helped me secure this role but also shown me the importance of mentorship in building a career.
Can you describe a situation during your transition where you felt challenged, and how did you handle it?
Preparing for a cross-country move was incredibly challenging, and honestly, I didn’t handle the stress as well as I’d hoped. I felt overwhelmed by all the unknowns—what the new school would be like, whether I’d enjoy my job, and if I’d be a good coach. These uncertainties felt heavy, making it difficult to manage the stress at the time. Looking back, my advice would be to embrace change, trust yourself, and take things one step at a time. Have confidence that you’re doing what’s best for you, even if it looks different from what others are doing.
What kind of support have you received from your colleagues or mentors during your transition?
My colleagues are super nice and helpful! They let me take the lead on things that I feel comfortable with like graphics and design stuff, and they also walk me through things that are new to me like statting games. If I have a question I feel comfortable asking anyone in the department for help and everyone is very supportive because we are all working towards the same goal.
What is one thing that you would have done differently?
In regard to my transition from graduation into my current role, I would tell myself to worry less! I was very stressed about “being a professional” and felt like I needed to execute everything perfectly and “be an adult.” Now that I’m settling into this role, I feel less pressure and focus more on doing my best while juggling various responsibilities.
What do you look back on most about your time at Pratt?
My time on the soccer team is very valuable to me. I’ve built lifelong friendships and I’m so proud of every one of my teammates.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
Honestly, I’m not quite sure yet and I think that’s ok! I’m focusing on myself and pursuing things that interest me and challenge me. I think this time is for trying new things and seeing what I enjoy.
Check back for the next installment of the Alumni Spotlight Feature as we continue to check in with others in the field of athletics.