Prairie State College Celebrates NJCAA Day

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL - It’s NJCAA Day, and we’re celebrating our amazing Pioneers! We’re proud to be part of a nationwide community that gives student-athletes the chance to shine both on the field and in the classroom. PSC sat down with the seven athletes listed below to get their thoughts and experiences on PSC, college athletics and more.

Keyla Avila - Women’s Soccer
Kaylin Buczkowski - Volleyball
Javery Johnson - Men’s Basketball
Michael Kelly - Baseball
Natalie Kozub - Softball
Ben Lawrie - Men’s Tennis
Angel Saenz - Men’s Soccer

Why did you choose to attend a community college, and what has your experience been like so far?

It’s been the best experience so far. It was an easier transition and closer to home. I’m very family-oriented, so staying close to home was important to me. It was also more affordable. – Avila

I could stay at home and be with my family. I’m not a big “away” person. Frank gave me a really good opportunity to come here. It’s been different because my high school was so small, so coming here was a big change. It’s a very open and welcoming space for everyone. – Kozub

I chose a community college over a four-year school because of sports. I figured I would get a better chance to play right away at a community college. It’s also easier for schooling because I’m still close to home. – Kelly

I love Prairie State. I have a lot of great professors here. I’ve been to a couple of other community colleges, and this has been the best experience I’ve had academically. My coaches and teammates are great people all around. There’s a true “community” factor here. – Johnson

I chose a community college because I received the most financial support and could stay home to spend more time with my family. My experience at PSC has been great. Meeting new people from around the world has been really cool. – Buczkowski 

It was the only opportunity I had to get a free education and keep playing the sport I love instead of going straight to trade school. – Saenz

What motivated you to start playing your sport, and how did you get involved in it?

I’ve been playing since I was young and never stopped. Fabian Montez told me about Prairie State. I saw they had a strong program, wanted to give it a shot, and Coach Carlos gave me the opportunity. – Saenz

My grandma got me involved. We used to watch together, and there was a court across the road from our house. I went out and gave it a try when I was five or six. – Lawrie

What does a typical day look like for you balancing classes, practices, games, and life outside of school?

Because we have both a fall and spring season, in the fall I have classes Monday through Thursday starting at 8 a.m. After class, I either go to the library or the gym to work out. Two days a week we have study hall after practice. – Kelly

I have an 8 a.m. class, and after that, I usually go to the library to get homework done until practice. We practice until around 5 o’clock, and then I have a long drive home. – Kozub

What lessons have you learned through athletics that carry over into other areas of your life?

Communication and teamwork — soccer is all about that. I’ve also learned time management and how to stay calm under pressure. Another big lesson is learning to separate home life from school. – Avila

Discipline and focus — how to stay composed under pressure both on and off the field. Everything I’ve learned in soccer applies to life: teamwork, leadership, communication skills. I can take those anywhere. – Saenz

What are your goals after your time at this college—athletically, academically, or professionally?

This is my final year playing softball. After this year, I plan to apply for the dental hygiene program here and continue for another two years. – Kozub

I want to attend a four-year university and play basketball if possible, letting that help pay for school. I’m studying pre-law right now, and my end goal is to become an attorney. – Johnson

After my two years here, I’d like to transfer to a four-year university, continue playing baseball, and earn my degree in engineering. – Kelly

What are you most proud of as a student-athlete?

The student aspect. I had a 3.75 GPA last semester and have all A’s in my classes. This is really a first for me. – Johnson

Just seeing how far I’ve grown from high school to college. – Buczkowski 

What advice would you give to other student-athletes coming into community college?

When I was coming in, I thought it would be easier because it was a community college — but you still have to stay on top of your work. It’s actually just as challenging as anywhere else. – Kelly

Life’s hard, but you can still get through it. In college, coaching has been tougher. I’m in the outside world now and have to keep pushing through it. – Kozub

There’s a saying in tennis: “Win ugly.” You don’t have to play perfectly. There’s a lot of problem-solving involved. If you’re losing, you have to adjust. Translating that to real life — not everything has to be perfect. Take things in stride and move on. – Lawrie