Wesley senior defender Katie Chiolan is this week's "Introducing ..." featured athlete.  Chiolan is an three-year academic all-star studying history.  On the field, she helped the Wolverines post an 8-10 overall record this season.

What is your background in the sport you play?  I have been playing soccer since I was four years old.  I have five siblings, and all of us played soccer, along with other sports, when we were growing up.  My dad also played throughout his youth and adulthood and then took up coaching when we began playing.  I also played lacrosse from seventh grade through high school and a year in college, but soccer always remained my number one sport.

What is your favorite spot on campus?  My favorite spot on campus has to be our team locker room.  It is the one place where everyone is equal and focused on a common goal.  It is also a place to relax and let all of the stress from college life fade away as I prepared for a fun challenge with my team.  I participated in bringing that locker room to life, assisting in the painting when the room was first designed, and it means a lot to me to know that I will always be a part of that spot.

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in?  Being a History major, I am a member of the De La Warr History Society, a club that all History and American Studies majors are members of.  I am also a tutor for the English and History departments on campus.  I like knowing that I can help other students to succeed in areas where they need a little help.  I am an intern at the Visitor Center in Dover, Delaware as well, working on a museum exhibit and other events.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?  The most important societal issue is definitely peer pressure.  This concept is approached in high school when parents and teachers warn students about it, but no one is around to watch out for pressure at the college level.  Students are free to make decisions on their own, and they often choose the wrong option simply because fellow students pressure them into it.  Because the constraints of parental supervision no longer exists in college, students fall into lifestyles that are not conducive to a successful college career.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?  The most important thing that I learned as a History major was time management.  With all of the 20-page papers, 150-hour internships, and dozens of books to read each semester, I learned to budget my time very quickly.  Because I was forced to fit all of this into my schedule, along with sports and tutoring, I am now able to manage time in all aspects of my life.  This is by far one of the most valuable things I have ever learned.

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?  The most influential person in my life, besides family, was a teacher I had in high school by the name of SSgt. Robinson.  He was an instructor from my Air Force Junior ROTC classes who always taught his students to make something of themselves regardless of where they came from.  He taught me the core values of the Air Force, including and most importantly to put integrity first.  He taught me that by doing what was right and being honest and loyal, I can make anything possible.

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?  Do your homework! It sounds silly, but this is the first step to learning time management.  Also, so much of learning and college classwork is based on homework assignments.  It is okay if one does not test well because it is possible to bring up grades by completing homework assignments.  Also, start saving now! Seriously; college is one of the biggest investments in a person's life, and it is never too soon to start saving money for it.

What is your favorite form of entertainment?  My favorite form of entertainment is music.  I do a lot of driving, and spent a lot of time on bus rides for away games, and I do not know what I would do without my music.  I listen to it all: Punk, Rap, Country, Classic Rock.  As long as it has good lyrics and I can move to it, I love it.  It is definitely my escape.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  My favorite athlete is Ronaldinho.  He is an amazing player and someone that any athlete can aspire to be like.  His skill and ability to own the ball as if it is a part of his body is mind-boggling.  Also, it is obvious that he plays the sport because he loves it, not for the money or fame.

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with.  One person I would like to have dinner with is Napoleon Bonaparte.  He is considered to be a military genius who was ahead of his time in tactics, but there are many controversial aspects of his life (and manner of death) that I would like to know straight from the man.  Another person to have dinner with is my grandfather.  He was an amazing person, but I did not learn this until after his passing because he was too modest to speak of his achievements: being a soldier in WWII, playing sports throughout college, playing for the Yankees minor league team, and becoming a successful businessman.  I would love to hear his life story from him.  The last person I would like to have dinner with has to be Ronaldinho.  I want to rack his brain about how I can learn to play like him!