USC athletes are more than just champions on the field, court, diamond and pool, they're champions in the classroom as well. Throughout the year, we will get to know some of these scholarly Trojans a little better in our student-athlete spotlight.
Name: Jamie Fink
Year: Junior
Sport: Women's Soccer
Major: Communications
Sarah Bergstrom (SB): I always like to ask people how they ended up at USC. I know your sister played tennis here, was she the reason you became a Trojan?
Jamie Fink (JF): Actually, no. I love to be different than my sister so I was actually looking to go somewhere different than my sister. But when I visited USC, I just saw myself here. I was so in awe by everything this school had, from top academics to a great soccer team to a great football team. I love the camaraderie and tradition that is at USC.
SB: Did you come in knowing you wanted to be a Communications major?
JF: No I didn't. I had no idea what I wanted to be but I though that I might want to do something on camera. My coaches told me I should probably be a Communications major, and I took some classes and I absolutely fell in love with the program. I really enjoy Annenberg. I would love to do sports broadcasting because it's so close to my heart with soccer.
SB: As an athlete it can be hard to find time to do an internship or pursue elements of your major outside of class. Have you had a chance to intern or even just talk with professionals in the broadcast field while you've been at USC?
JF: Yeah I actually do little interviews after our games. It's called "Free Kicks with Fink" and it's a good way for me to get some experience on camera. I also had an internship with Fox Sports this summer where I worked with highlights and Fox Sports Live. It was a good chance to see what I want to do and what I don't want to do.
SB: What were some of the things you realized you do or don't want to do?
JF: During my internship I had to work off camera. I had to find clips and put everything together. It was so stressful and tedious. I realized I definitely didn't want to do that. But I got to shadow talent sometimes and work with them off the camera and I thought that was really cool.
SB: Is there anyone in the sports broadcasting industry that you currently look up to?
JF: I think I'm still trying to figure that out a little. Well, obviously Erin Andrews. She has an awesome job. And Julie Foudy, she played soccer and now she's in broadcasting which is exactly what I want to do.
SB: Transitioning to soccer a bit, there's been a lot of change that's happened in the three years that you've been here. How have you seen your team grow and change in that time and what do you think about where you are at right now?
JF: Our environment is completely different. I think we're more so enjoying the game now and are so much calmer. Our chemistry has gotten so much stronger, we really do things for each other and make the littlest sacrifices that ultimately make the biggest impact.
SB: What has your new head coach, Keidane McAlpine, brought to this program?
JF: He just wants us to love the game and love what we do. He pushes us to be the best players we can be and to challenge ourselves in order to get there. I think he just instills the fun aspect in it. You can tell at practice that everyone's smiling now. It's just the little things. I think with fun comes more passion for the game. People are starting to step out of their comfort zones and are really challenging themselves to be the best players they can be.
SB: Do you ever see anything that you learn on the soccer field transition to the classroom?
JF: Competitiveness for sure. In soccer, I compete so hard with my opponents and then in the classroom I strive to do the same. I am always trying to get the best grade and I try to be the best I can be in there as well.
SB: What has been the biggest difference in transitioning to becoming an upperclassman and a girl that other teammates look to?
JF: It's definitely been a hard transition for me and I'm still learning how to really take on that leadership role. It's a good experience and I know that outside of soccer, in the business world, it will be good to know how to be a good leader. But it's been a fun transition too. The girls from my previous years have taught me a lot and I've learned what to do and what not to do from them.
SB: What is some advice you would give to a girl who's maybe thinking about coming here or to a younger member of your team about balancing soccer and school?
JF: I always tell people, 'You are a student-athlete. The student comes before the athlete. You come to USC for the academics and then your sport follows.' A sport will be there, but it won't be there your whole life. Your education will help you forever.
SB: Your team is off to a stellar start this season, what are your aspirations as a group and what do you think your team is capable of?
JF: We are capable of a lot. We are trying to take it one game at a time and keep our focus there. We just want to keep improving and progressing and make it to the NCAA tournament, that's our first small goal. Hopefully winning the PAC-12 and the NCAA tournament will follow.
