By: Rose Lucidi
Sports Information Intern
lucidrx10@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – A member of the Landmark Conference Academic Honor Roll and ranked 77th nationally in defensive saves after the 2013 season, Juniata College field hockey defender Tori Buser (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) is a prime example of a student-athlete.
After playing lacrosse and dancing when she was younger, Buser decided that field hockey was the sport that she had to continue at the college level. For a while she thought that it would be for a club team at a big school, but that was until she was contacted by head coach Caroline Gillich, who watched her play at a showcase tournament. The email is what sparked her interest in Juniata.
After visiting, Buser realized that she liked the small school atmosphere. Attending a smaller school would give her easier access to professors and the connections would prove to be more beneficial.
"Visiting Juniata was what sold me on the school," said Buser. "Seeing the beautiful campus, meeting the team and coach, my idea of going to a big school went out the window and I knew Juniata was the college for me."
Buser is currently studying psychology. She has dreams of using her studies to go to graduate school somewhere on the east coast for child psychology. Along with studying and athletics, she is also involved in the student-athletic advisory committee (SAAC) and plays the violin in the school orchestra. SAAC is an organization that is made of two student-athletes from each varsity sport at Juniata. The organization meets once a month and gives the student-athletes a chance to voice their opinions, discuss issues and promote NCAA Division III athletics in a comfortable environment.
Some of the projects Buser was involved with were selling gold shoelaces for Angel 34, a foundation that supports children battling cancer, and JC Gladiators.
"Being a Division III student-athlete gives me the opportunity to keep active, play field hockey and school still comes first," said Buser.
When Buser finds free time within her busy schedule, she loves to hang out with her friends, listen to music and sometimes her and her friends go to humane society.
Rapid Fire:
Favorite band/artist?
I do not have a favorite.
Favorite shoes?
Boots.
Favorite item in your dorm room?
My flower decorations. They are Gerbera Daisies and they are my favorite flower.
One thing you couldn't go a day without?
iPhone.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
My great Grandfather, because of how great of a man my mother tells me he was.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Italy or somewhere in the Mediterranean, because I love Italian food.
If you could be any animal (car, vegetable, etc.), what would you be and why?
I would be a Humming Bird, I would love to fly.
If you could be an Olympic athlete (in anything other than your sport) what would it be?
Figure skater or gymnastics.
Favorite class at Juniata College?
Social Psychology.
Favorite place in Huntingdon?
Humane society the animals are really cute there.
Favorite Juniata Tradition?
Pig Roast.
Favorite athletic experience at JC?
This past season, when we played Scranton. In the last minute of the game I had an assist to a goal that actually tied the game. We ended beating Scranton in over time.
If you could trade places with one JC athlete, who would it be and why?
Emma Dahmus (Hummelstown,Pa./ Lower Daquphin). She is really smart, nice and she has the cutest puppy.
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