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: Marissa Dunbar (Women's Hockey)
Major:Â Therapeutic recreation
Minor:Â Psychology
What are your plans after graduation? Find an internship within the therapeutic recreation field and then take my CTRS exam.
What is your most memorable/best academic experience at AU? Making the Dean's list multiple times.
What is your most memorable athletic moment at AU? Being a part of the inaugural team and watching the girls grow together into a playoff team in just two-years. Really makes every win that much more special knowing where we started from.
Other than the sport(s) you play; what other sports activity are you good at? I use to play varsity badminton.
Outside of sports, what is your favorite hobby or activity? I really enjoy traveling with friends and family. Seeing new places, trying new activities and just playing any type of games is fun to me.
What is your favorite meal in the cafeteria? Mac and cheese & nuggets of course.
What AU faculty or staff member had the greatest impact on you and why? Kris Johnson, she's extremely helpful academically and always pushes her students to be their best. She's also a great mentor to have and is always there for you whether it be academically or just for life in general. I am thankful for her guidance during my time at AU and beyond.
What do you enjoy most and least about practice? The most is the starfish drill and any other type of games and the least is having to wake up early and the infamous shuffles
Do you have any pregame rituals? I always have Lexie tape my stick since our freshman year. I typically listen to electric violin/classical music during dynamic warmups. I stand next to Sadie during the anthem and I always stand in the same spot in our circle in front of the net before the game starts.
What advice would you give to underclassmen at AU? Cherish these four years as much as possible and when times get tough remember you have your teammates to lean on for support.
If you had to listen to one song on repeat forever, what would it be and why? Frankly this is an impossible question and there's no way I could pick just one. Some artists I really enjoy though would be Fleetwood Mac, black eyed peas, bob Marley, Matt Maeson and pretty much everything in between.
What is something that people may not know about you but should? I attended school in Germany for a month because I was a part of a student exchange program in high school.
If you could spend an hour each with three people (past or present), who would you choose and why?      Â
Patrick Sharp - my favorite hockey player growing up and every time I've met him I have forgotten how to speak so I need redemption
Stevie Nicks - love her music and need to find out if she's actually a witch or not
My aunt Donna - she passed away when I was 15 and would love to catch up with her, she holds a special place in my heart
