Throughout the 2020-2021 year, the Aurora University athletic department will highlight the senior student-athletes. The seniors will provide some insight to their time at AU while getting to know them as individuals they have grown into in their time as a Spartan.
Senior Spotlight: Julia Wood (Women's Volleyball)
Major:Â Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education
What are your plans after graduation? My plan is to move back to the Indianapolis area and find a job teaching first or second grade.
What is your most memorable/best academic experience at AU? My best academic experiences at AU were going into classrooms throughout college and being able to teach real students. I have grown so much from freshman year to now in teaching and will continue to grow throughout my whole teaching career. Aurora gives such good opportunities to get your feet wet in the area of teaching make sure that it is the career for you.
What is your most memorable athletic moment at AU? My most memorable athletic moment is during my sophomore year, when we won the NCAA Regionals in Chicago. We were the underdog in every game that we played and came out on top. The memories of playing those games and with that team will last a lifetime.
Other than the sport(s) you play, what other sports activity are you good at? I do not have any other specific sports I am good at but I did gymnastics for 10 years prior to playing volleyball and I can still do a few things from that. Other than that, I like to try to play most other sports.
Outside of sports, what is your favorite hobby or activity? My favorite hobby or activity to do is be active and be outside.
What is your favorite meal in the cafeteria? I really like the cookies in the cafeteria but their stuffed shells are pretty good too.
What AU faculty or staff member had the greatest impact on you and why? I have three AU faculty members who have made a big impact on me throughout my years at AU. The first one is the strength and conditioning coach,Â
Chad Trudo. Chad has always been a person to bring me up when I am down and to also challenge me in times when I didn't think I could be challenged anymore. Chad has made me a better athlete, as well as a better person. The second person is Dr. Stevens in the Education Department. She pushed me past boundaries I had set for myself as a teacher and was also there for me if I ever needed anything as a person. Dr. Stevens cares for each and every one of her students, no matter what is going on in her own life. I hope to be as good of a teacher someday as she is. The third person that impacted me is Coach Seitelman. He has pushed me to become a better player on the court and a better leader overall. Coach has pushed me past limits in volleyball than I ever thought I could go. I am very thankful to have gotten to work with Coach Seitelman these past few years.
What do you enjoy most and least about practice? I thing I enjoy most about practice is being able to see my teammates every day and laugh a lot with them. The thing I enjoy least about practice is anytime we get coach upset because we did something wrong.
Do you have any pregame rituals? The only things that I might call pregame rituals that I have are that I always put the same kneepad on the same knee each practice and game and I always have to play with my jersey tucked in.
What advice would you give to underclassmen at AU? The advice I would give upperclassmen would be to live every day like it's your last because you never know when something will be taken away from you. I would also say to enjoy each day while you're at AU or in college because it flies by quicker than you think it ever could.
If you had to listen to one song on repeat forever, what would it be and why? I have a couple songs I would listen to and they are When the Sun Goes Down by Kenny Chesney and Hakuna Matata from The Lion King. I could listen to the Kenny Chesney song forever because it is such a fun song that reminds me of summer and being with family. I could listen to Hakuna Matata forever because how upbeat it is and listening to the lyrics just make you smile.
What is something that people may not know about you but should? I did competitive gymnastics for a number of years and I have a 20 lbs cat named Gypsy.
If you could spend an hour each with three people (past or present), who would you choose and why? I would spend time with Thomas Rhett and his family because they are adorable and I would love to hear all of the background that goes into all of his songs. I would spend time with the Newsboys because I think it would be amazing to hear each of their stories and how they became so strong in their faith and how they bring that onto other people. The last person I would spend time with is Kenny Chesney because I love all of his music and would really like to hear his inspiration for his music and how he got into music.
