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: Nicole McKernan (Women's Hockey)
Major:Â Marketing
What are your plans after graduation? After graduation, I plan on going to school to get my master's degree. I also would like to take some time off to travel, and see what all the world has to offer.
What is your most memorable/best academic experience at AU? My most memorable academic experience at AU would have to be getting my first 4.0, it took a lot of hardworking and I was very proud to have gotten it.
What is your most memorable athletic moment at AU? My most memorable moment at AU would have to making it to playoffs my junior year. Compared to where we started as freshman, it was crazy to see how far we have come and how good we have gotten as a team.
Other than the sport(s) you play, what other sports activity are you good at? Since being home due to COVID, I have picked up golfing and am fairly decent at it.
Outside of sports, what is your favorite hobby or activity? Outside of hockey my favorite thing would have to be hiking and going to the lake. During the summer I spend almost every weekend at the lake swimming, tubing, and wake boarding.
What is your favorite meal in the cafeteria? My favorite meal at the cafe would have to be chicken nuggets and Mac n cheese day.
What AU faculty or staff member had the greatest impact on you and why? Both of my coaches (
Jackie Kooistra and Grant Kimball) while playing at Aurora have had a great impact on me. They have both taught and pushed me to be the best person I can be both on the ice and in the classroom. They have also provided me with ample opportunities to give back to the community.
What do you enjoy most and least about practice? Shuffles, that's an easy one. Shuffles would hands down be my least favorite thing about practice and my coach absolutely loves to do them. The thing I enjoy most about practice would be getting to skate and be around my team, and doing the starfish drill.
Do you have any pregame rituals? I always get a coffee on my way to the rink, and then once at the rink I tape my stick, and finish up off ice warm-ups with some soccer with some of my teammates.
What advice would you give to underclassmen at AU? I would tell them to enjoy every moment they can. Your four years go by in the blink of an eye.
If you had to listen to one song on repeat forever, what would it be and why? Any country song, I'm a big country fan and wouldn't be able to pick just one song!
What is something that people may not know about you but should? Family is the most important thing to me and I love being able to go home and see them whenever I can.
If you could spend an hour each with three people (past or present), who would you choose and why?          Â
Beyonce - She's such a cool and empowering person.
Justin Bieber - I had the biggest crush on him as a teenager.
Nathan Mackinnon – He plays for the Avalanche (Colorado) which is my favorite team, and I feel like he would have great stories.
