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 spotlight is a 2020 Graduate Sara Ropski of Neumann.
Name: Sara Ropski
Sport: Women’s Lacrosse
Graduation year: 2020
Current Role: Assistant Athletic Communications Director at Stevenson University
Describe your current job and your connection to sports?
I work in Athletic Communications, which involves website updating, social media management, graphic design and video editing, photography, live statistics, broadcasting, and game day operations.
Best memory at Neumann?
Best memory would probably be working in the athletics department while being a student-athlete. I worked for Jill all three years I was at Neumann and working for her is where I made friends that I still talk to today. Not only did the job give me life-long friendships, but it presented me with what I wanted to do for my career.
How has mentorship influenced your transition into professional practice?
Mentorship was huge on getting me where I am today, Jill trained me as a student to the point of where I was able to run ice hockey games by myself as a junior. To this day, Jill and I talk every week, and she provides mentorship and support whenever I need it.
Can you describe a situation during your transition where you felt challenged, and how did you handle it?
Transition was tough since I had graduated in 2020. There were no sports, and it was a time where there was so much uncertainty that there were no positions even being posted. The only place I had to turn at the time was my backup plan of using my Pa. National Guard background and taking on full-time active duty and technician orders. After two years of active military time, I was so eager to get back into college athletics. With the help of Jill, and former Assoc. AD Christy Fleagle, I was able to end up into collegiate communications.
What kind of support have you received from your colleagues or mentors during your transition?
The biggest piece was the communication from Christy and Jill. Both continuously stayed into touch sending me many opportunities, assisted me with recommendations, practice interviews, and so much more.
What is one thing that you would have done differently?
So, I transferred to Neumann after my freshman year, so part of me wishes I went there in the first place.
What do you look back on most for your time at Neumann?
The friendships and memories of the game days and hanging out in the Mirenda Center with teammates and friends.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I would love to gain more experience outside of just Athletic Communications and learn more about compliance, so one day I can move over to the Athletic Director realm.
ABOUT ATLANTIC EAST
The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising seven institutions in a four-state area - Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, Marywood and Neumann Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary University in New Jersey, Marymount University in Virginia, and Pratt Institute in New York.
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