This week's INTRODUCING ... feature spotlights Wesley College senior field hockey defender Amanda Fisher, a third-year starter and 2008 second-team CAC all-star who has led the Wolverines to an 11-6 overall record and third place in the CAC heading into the final week of the regular season.

What is your background in the sport you play?  I have been playing hockey since 7th grade, usually year round with school ball in the fall, indoor hockey in the winter and then summer league.  I absolutely love the sport and when I went away to college in Florida there was definitely a void in my life when I wasn't playing.  I decided to transfer back home and go to Wesley so I could play field hockey, and I feel that truly was the right choice for me.

What is your favorite spot on campus?  The Wolverine Stop.  I just love going there because it is right on campus and I can get something to eat or drink, study and do homework, watch SportsCenter, or just meet up with some friends in between classes.  I know that I am always going to see a friendly face and I always find myself meeting new people on campus there.

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in?  I am a member of the Political Science Honor Society, the Alpha Chi Honor Society, the Lincoln Jackson club, and I play for club field hockey teams during the winter and summer.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?  Definitely the economy and this recession we are going through.  The decline of the job market, stress of student loans, and families struggling to even send their children to college have all become growing problems and frustrations for college students.  We are no longer guaranteed a steady career the minute that we receive our diplomas, and that can be scary and even overwhelming for those who have worked so hard.

What was your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?  I have a Bachelor of Arts degree, as I majored in political science with a minor in history.  I am currently taking prerequisites for the Environmental Science Masters program here at Wesley.  The most important thing I learned the past four years is that you can not let a person's political views define who they are. It is imperative that we look beyond the Republican/Democrat spectrum and focus on working together (as Americans) to solve our issues, and furthermore come together as human beings to conserve our planet and sustain Earth's precious resources for future generations.

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life (and why)?  I can not say that there is any person out there more influential in my life other than my mom.  She is my best friend, my biggest fan, my mentor, and my hero.  No matter where I've gone or what I've done she has been by my side and always there for me.  There will never be anyone who influences me more than her, because she loves me more than anyone could ever imagine and I don't know where I would be without her. 

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?  To always be respectful, whether it is towards your teachers, parents, friends... Respect and courtesy towards others can, and will get you a long way in life and the more of it that you give, the more you shall receive.  

What is your favorite form of entertainment?  Music, because it can make you feel any kind of emotion you want to express--happy, excited, determined, hopeful, in love, and even sad, angry, or confused.  I feel music is one of the most powerful, popular, and traditional forms of entertainment and listening to it will always be a favorite of mine.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?   The Philadelphia Phillies.  My Dad and older brothers are huge Phillies fans and growing up I can always remember watching the games with my family and it's something that we still do together.  When the Phils won the World Series it was like a sign to hope for all teams that may struggle through the years, and a reassurance that you must never give up!

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with.   The first person that came to my mind was Chelsea Handler.  She is a comedian, originally from the East Coast, who is a strong, independent woman, not afraid to speak her mind and be sarcastic and she is absolutely hilarious.  I honestly look forward to watching her show every night so having dinner with her would be a huge dream come true for me!  The second person would be Abraham Lincoln, Honest Abe.  He was a fascinating President who contributed so much to this country, and I think it would be an honor just to meet him.  The third person would be my Poppop George (my mother's father) because he died when I was only 5 years old.  My family tells me that I am just like him, and I know he was an amazing man and I miss him very much.