Your future, our focus
Being a student-athlete at the college level is quite the commitment. Between workouts, practices, film sessions and games, it can be tough for one to juggle all the obligations of competing in a collegiate sport.
It’s an even greater challenge for Aubrianne Crosby.
A freshman on Northwest College’s volleyball team, Crosby also participates in the school’s student senate and with the Institute Council, a scripture study group with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Crosby spends several hours per week with these positions, along with her volleyball responsibilities.
This isn’t new for her, however.
In high school, Crosby competed in volleyball, basketball, track and field and competition cheer, a few of which conflicted with each other. She also was involved with non-sport activities, such as Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society and Distinguished Young Women.
“I’m actually pretty used to it,” Crosby admitted. “I’ve kind of been pulled into different things, but I’m enjoying it. I still have plenty of free time.”
Originally from Rocky Mountain High School in Cowley, Crosby hadn’t planned on playing college volleyball until the second semester of her senior year. She had planned on attending Utah State University, but when Crosby received the offer to play for NWC — a place where she could continue the sport she loves while staying busy — she jumped on it.
“I was thinking I wanted to have stuff on my resume because it would be important if I wanted to get into a master’s program,” Crosby said. “I always thought, ‘No, I don’t want to stay around my house,’ but now I’m really glad that I did.”
Crosby said she gets this sense of involvement from her parents, who consistently serve on boards or booster clubs. “I think it’s important later in life to stay involved with the community, and to show your kids that example is necessary,” she said.
Due to COVID-19, Crosby’s first semester didn’t feature any official volleyball games. The NJCAA pushed back competition to the spring semester back in July, meaning scrimmages were the only live setting for volleyball in the fall.
Crosby admitted that juggling so many things could be tricky come January when the regular season begins.
“I’m a little worried about it,” she said. “I’m hoping it won’t be too bad, but I think it will be a little busier with traveling.”
Even so, Crosby still expects to make time for each of her roles.
“With student senate, they offer a Zoom option if you’re unable to attend,” she said. “I know that will be really helpful if I need to be on the road or doing something else. And Sundays [for Institute Council], I don’t know if we’ll be there all the time to go to those meetings, but I hope so.”
It often takes time for freshmen to get accustomed to the level of play at the collegiate realm, but that wasn’t the case for Crosby. From day one in the Northwest program, she has been a leader.
Head coach Scott Keister thinks that can be traced to Crosby’s involvement with various activities.
“You can see it translating to the court: She’s really shining with this team,” Keister said. “Usually freshmen are like deer in the headlights, but she’s holding her own.”
“You can rely on her in anything,” he added. “When she says she’s going to do something, not only does she do it, she does it well.”
Beyond using these leadership qualities to her advantage on the court, Crosby hopes her involvement in several different roles prepares her well for future success long after her volleyball career ends.
“I think it helps me stay well-rounded,” Crosby said. “It’s important to stay involved in stuff. It doesn’t mean you have to have a full schedule all the time, but just to be a part of your community and contribute any way you can with your skills.”