Printing Concepts Scholar Athlete of the Month
As the spring season rolls around, the life of a student-athlete can become a bit stressful. With limited time left in the academic year, there is less room for error. Maintaining good grades in the classroom while training to be standout athlete can be quite the balancing act. Marietta College’s Savannah Flusche is a prime example of a student-athlete that understands the struggle of balancing school and sports. The sophomore from Blacklick, Ohio has been chosen as the OAC Printing Concepts Scholar-Athlete of the Month.
Flusche is currently carrying a 3.841 grade-point average as a marketing and sports management major, which is impressive due to the fact that she was dealing with a nagging injury before the Indoor Track season began. “During the fall I had some back pain in pre-season training, and in January I found out that I had two herniated discs in my back, and one of those discs is pushing into a nerve root,” said Flusche. “The pain was at 10 most days.” She credits her teammates and the Marietta College athletic trainers for giving her the needed support and proper treatment advice. Despite the pain, she participated in all but one competition in the indoor track season. Her personal best throw up to this point, 13.91 meters, was at the OAC Indoor Championships. “I love having Savannah around,” said Marietta Track and Field Head Coach Jason Davis. “She’s a very hard worker and a rising leader on the team. I can always depend on her to do what is right… Even when no one is looking.”
Savannah is well on her way to having success long after her academic days are completed. In conjunction with Marietta College’s sport management program, Savannah has received opportunities to put into practice what she has learned from her courses. In September, she shadowed and worked with the University of Michigan athletics event staff for a weekend. Just recently, she attended a group trip to work with the Savannah Bananas baseball club in Savannah, Georgia, working merchandise for one game and was an “undercover fan” the second game. “It’s these types of experiences that we can offer MC students that’s important to their professional development and their future career outside of the locker room,” said Rick Smith, Associate Professor of Sport Management.
During this experience, Flusche learned key tenants in how to run a successful business. “The Bananas do not feel like a business because they treat their fans with the utmost respect and sincerity,” said Flusche. “They know that if their fans are happy and having a good time, everything else will fall into place. Learning from the best in the business was an amazing experience and opportunity.”
Flusche describes being a student-athlete at Marietta as the best of both worlds. “I get to continue my track career, but being at a smaller school allows for a large focus on academics.” Another part of her Sports Management major was getting involved in the mentor program. She got to pick an industry professional to connect with and she connected with Hayle Krigel, Director of Guest Experience with the Houston Texans. “We have had about five Zoom calls since the fall semester, and she told me in our last meeting that, based on the experience I already have as a sophomore, she would recommend me for a Guest Experience Coordinator with the team. This surprised me, but it was a sign that I am on the right path for myself,” said Flusche.
