SCHAEFER IS A TRUE LEADER ON AND OFF THE COURT...
CLEVELAND, OH (September 24, 2007) - Case Western Reserve University nutrition major Julie Schaefer (Independence, OH) wants to make a healthy difference in peoples lifestyles. The junior setter for the Spartan women’s volleyball team is a true leader on and off the court.
Diagnosed with an auto-immune disease early in life, doctors prescribed Julie with several medications to help cure her. Schaefer’s mother recognized that the traditional medications were not effective, so she took Julie to a nutritionist. The nutritionist suggested changes in her diet and that she live a healthier lifestyle. As time progressed, the symptoms and disease completely went away and Schaefer was healthy again.
“Getting healthy sparked my interest in nutrition,” said Schaefer. “I hope that one day I can help other people find cures with natural holistic treatment.”
Schaefer, who is enrolled in Case Western Reserve’s dietetics program, wants to be a health advisor and counsel people on living a healthy lifestyle.
“I don’t want to be a person who sits across a desk and says you need to eat healthy,” Schaefer emphasized. “You have to live a healthy lifestyle and eat right. I really want to make a difference in patient’s lives and do it through a holistic hands on approach.”
Schaefer did a nursing research project this past spring and summer.
“I wanted to get my foot in the door and see if research is something I would enjoy doing,” said Schaefer. “Performing chart reviews, data analysis and data entry was something I didn’t think I would enjoy, but I really loved what I did this summer and nutrition research is something I hope to pursue in the future.”
Julie has also seen a lot of change through her career on the volleyball court. Since coming to Case Western Reserve, there have been several coaching changes, different players graduating, and many new roles within the program.
“The programs completely different since my freshman and sophomore years,” said Schaefer. “What a huge difference the changes in the coaching staff made. It wasn’t bad before, but I’m really happy with how it’s changed. Nelson [Wittenmyer] and Coach Farrell [Karen] are great together and work as a team; the other assistants are wonderful too.”
Life as a student-athlete is often intense because of the rigorous schedules. Schaefer claims that it is a tough balance, but that all the late night studying is worth it.
“When you get out on that court in a home match and everyone is cheering for you and you’re competing for your school and team, it’s an incredible feeling.” Schaefer emphasized.
The volleyball team is improving. After winning only five matches as a freshman and twelve as a sophomore, Julie and the Spartans have already won seven of their last 12 contest, including knocking off area rival Baldwin-Wallace College for the first time in five years.
Julie has already recorded two triple-doubles this season and is averaging 9.23 assists per game.
Watching Schaefer on the court, the determination and leadership that it takes to win in athletics is easily visible and apparent. She goes all out on the court for her fellow teammates.
“I need to be the leader that keeps everyone intense and focused, the person that keeps everyone else up and together," explained Schaefer.
Case Western Reserve (7-8) heads to New York University this weekend [Sept. 29-30] for the first of two University Athletic Association (UAA) round robin tournaments.
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