Oberlin College Athletics

My four years as an Oberlin volleyball player has brought many challenges, changes, relationships, laughs, tears, and memories to my life that I will always be able to look back on.  I was pushed to my limits and beyond through the volleyball program and learned more about myself through athletics than I ever thought possible.  I had a challenging four years overall but it was all worth it because volleyball will always be apart of who I am, my teammates will always be part of my family, and my coaches will always be mentors that I respect and look up to. - Liz Wong; Volleyball

Playing basketball at Oberlin was a tremendous learning experience. Most importantly, it allowed me to play the game I love at a highly competitive level for four more years. I will always love the game and am proud to have been a college basketball player. - Hal Sundt; Men's Basketball

Being a part of the tight support network that is the field hockey team has given me a family that I know I will be connected to forever. This family gave me the strength to power through injuries, obstacles, and adversity and be successful and confident on the field, on the classroom, and in everything else I do. - Kiri Brenner; Field Hockey

The football community, players and coaches, has helped mold my developement as an athlete, student and person. Byencompassing the ideas of integrity, honesty, leadership, and unity; I learned throughout my four years as a Yeoman, I know I will be successful in any situation. I'd like to thank everyone that is part of this family and want them to know that this brotherhood is forever. Go Yeomen! - Drew Mixter; Football

The Oberlin women's lacrosse team has always been more than a sports team to me. Over the last four years at Oberlin, the team has been my family. I go to them for guidance and support; they have changed me for the better. In the future, when I look back at my years at Oberlin, these are the people I will remember. - Alice Zicht; Women's Lacrosse

As an experience it has strengthened my mental toughness, and helped me to understand what it truly means to have dedication, not just on the field, but in everything I do in my life. When I came in, the program was struggling, at an all-time low. I helped define the new way of doing things, of striving towards success, and I’m happy to leave the program, knowing it is heading in the right direction, and significantly improved. - James Kriz; Men's Lacrosse

OC swimming and diving has been a source of inspiration, support and comic relief in my life at Oberlin. I owe all of my success in college to this demanding yet extremely rewarding program. This program has stolen my heart and soul, and I will be a part of this family for the rest of my life. - Jebran Haddad; Men's Swimming

Playing tennis here has been a great experience. It's been an area of my life in which the energy and effort I put in has been rewarded twofold. I got to compete for my own benefit in a sport I love, meanwhile enjoying the support of an awesome group of guys. It's taught me you can do things for yourself and others at the same time. - Joe Leffler; Men's Tennis

I had no idea that I would be on the team when I first came to Oberlin, but joining the team was probably one of the best things I have ever done here. I became part of a family - of amazing, talented, motivated, strong, beautiful women - and learned so many life lessons - this season with our new coaches I learned especially that with sincere beliefs, relentless expectations and passion, nothing is impossible, and I will think of the word 'awareness', which was my word of the season, throughout the rest of my life. I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to be on this team for all my years at Oberlin. - Seung Yun Jee; Women's Lacrosse

The most important lesson I learned from being part of OCVB was how far I could actually push myself both physically and mentally. I learned to deal with failure and celebrate success with the support of an entire team.  Those are values and skills that I will take with me wherever I end up next. - Lizzie Orfaly

Already the memories evoke choked nostalgia. Images of the Fred Shults field in all its majesty, bright lights piercing the haze and drizzle and illuminating the pristine grass, samba clubs and 'everytime we touch', whack-a-mole and bread-and-butter, breakfast at motels and dinner on the bus. What has playing on the soccer team meant to me? For an intimidated 18-year-old who found himself halfway across the world, it gave me a fraternity, a family. A home. - Sahab Raza; Men's Soccer

Football for me was an outlet and a privilege. Being an athlete at Oberlin is a unique experience. To be challenged mentally and physically on daily basis has given me strength of will, persistence in vision and confidence all around. - Jake Hochendoner; Football

When I first came to Oberlin, I was the quintessential first year: scared out of my mind and extremely homesick. However, the soccer team quickly took me under their wing and welcomed me into this group full of intelligent, ridiculously quirky, talented, and kind people. Even though the players change every year, this diversity of personalities persists and that's what I think makes the Oberlin soccer team special. Lori Sako; Women's Soccer & Women's Lacrosse

My basketball career at Oberlin College has been a journey to say the least. It has taught how to continually fight no matter how difficult times may get. Most importantly it has showed me the type of effort it takes to be successful at whatever it is that you're doing. - Josh Merritt; Men's Basketball