Collegiate Times

Dumb jock. Only in it for the money. Spoiled athlete. The stereotype many people associate with college athletics is far from positive. The common image is one of a luxurious athletic department supporting ?student-athletes? who can barely spell their own names.

Virginia Tech Women?s Soccer senior goalkeeper Mallory Soldner couldn?t be further from that stereotype.

Soldner, like many students, chose Virginia Tech for a variety of reasons.

?I got offers from other places, but, to be honest, I think Tech is the only school that really felt right for me,? Soldner said. ?I came here on an unofficial visit ? and I fell in love with the campus and the people.?

That love resulted in a four-year stint on the women?s soccer team, a campaign that will end with today?s match against East Tennessee State. She is the sole player remaining from Tech?s 2003 recruiting class. All the other members of that class are no longer on the team for various reasons.

?To be honest, I never seriously considered quitting,? she said. ?I just love playing and I have for these four years. There?s definitely been ups and downs and hard times, but this experience I wouldn?t trade.?

But soccer isn?t her only love ? she gives academics her best efforts as well.

?The reason I?m here to is to get an education,? Soldner said. ?That?s the number one thing for me.?

Soldner?s successes, both athletic and academic, sometimes take their toll ? especially on her free time.

?If you?re going to do school well and soccer well, you don?t have a lot of free time,? she said.

However, between her successes on the field and in the classroom, Soldner still finds the time in her busy schedule to give back to the Blacksburg community.

?I definitely think I?ve gotten a lot out of some of the community outreach that I?ve done over the years,? Soldner said.

Soldner volunteers her time to the Virginia Tech Athletics ?Hokies with Heart? Community Outreach Program, participating in programs such as Lunch Buddies, Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity.

Despite all she?s done, Soldner isn?t finished with the whole college experience just yet.

?My plan, right now, is to go to grad school,? Soldner said. ?(I want) to get a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering ? I?m doing all those applications right now so, hopefully, one of the top schools in Industrial Engineering in the country (will accept me).?

The Lanesville, Ind. native is finishing up her undergraduate education and is about to play her final home game in Blacksburg tonight.

Regardless of this evening?s outcome, one thing is for certain ? she has accomplished more here during her four years than most people would if they were given twice that amount of time.