The First-Year Student-Athlete Experience

Featuring four freshmen student-athletes and their perspectives on their first year! 

Being a student-athlete is challenging. There is constant pressure to perform, whether in the classroom, on the court, in the pool, or on the field. Assignments consume and practices ensue. A student-athlete's freshman year is arguably the most challenging of their four years at university. Not only do they face all the difficulties of being a student-athlete, but they are also away from home, often for the first time. Freshmen may experience feelings of homesickness, increased anxiety as they adapt to college life, and defining moments as they explore the beginnings of their adulthood. Despite all this, the Athletics department at the University of the Pacific (and the university as a whole) thoroughly supports students throughout this transitionary period, making them feel seen and welcome. That said, let's hear from four of the outstanding freshmen at Pacific and learn more about their individual freshman experiences. 

Dylan Gilkey is a freshman on the women’s volleyball team. She is from Cedar Park, Texas, and is currently majoring in Business Administration, focusing on sport management. Joining the Tiger’s roster, she boasts an impressive high school career, even being named to the 2022 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America Watch List. Gilkey says that she chose to come to Pacific because of “its outstanding athletics and stellar academic opportunities,” adding that “the people on the volleyball team were a big reason I chose to come here, along with the coaching staff, team culture, and the California weather.” When asked about what the most difficult part of her freshman year has been, Gilkey said that it was being away from home, as she grew up in Texas. “It has definitely been an adjustment not being near my family and friends from back home,” said Gilkey Gilkey said that the best part of her freshman year has been “making new friends and surrounding [herself] in a different environment/being independent.” Contributing a mature perspective, Gilkey cites the challenges and also the positives of being a freshman student-athlete—an experience she is not alone in. 

Sam Pampling is on the men’s golf team, majoring in health and exercise science. He is originally from Flower Mound, Texas, earning multiple high-school honors, and was even a part of the 6A All-District and Region I All-Regional Teams during his junior and senior seasons. Already making a strong debut, Pampling competed in three tournaments as an individual, averaging a score of 75.9 across nine rounds throughout his freshman campaign. Reflecting, Pampling says that he chose to come to UOP partially because “of the great facilities that are available.” He says that the most challenging part of his freshman year has been “finding time to get 3 meals in a day, especially breakfast.” Pampling added that the best part so far has been “playing golf with the team and traveling” and that “the staff and other athletes are all friendly and easy to get along with.” As successful as Pampling has been, he also recognizes the difficulties of being a freshman, yet is still thankful to be a Pacific Tiger. 

Continuing to meet the freshman of Pacific Athletics, Gianno Solano is on the women’s cross-country team. Her high-school success as the 2023 Baseline League Scholar-Athlete and a First Team All-League awardee in the 4x400 relay team only predicted her success in college, where she has already broken both the 400-meter and 600-meter indoor records. From Rancho Cucamonga, California, she is majoring in Computer Science. Solano said she chose Pacific partially because she “wanted to stay in California and go to a school that excelled both athletically and academically.” For her, the most difficult aspect of her freshman year has been “staying organized and on top of work” as she tries to “keep a good balance between school, track, and [her] social life.” Solano cites the best part of freshman year has been “meeting new people and making memories with new friends, especially spending time with my team.” Lastly, with the fall semester quickly approaching, Solano says that her advice for an incoming freshman “would be to do your best to establish a routine and to embrace the new college experiences.”

Last but not least, Kyle Capili is on the men’s swim team and is originally from Torrance, California. Much like his high school years, Capili swims backstroke, freestyle, and butterfly, as well as competing in the individual medley races. Currently, Capili is majoring in Bioengineering, and he is as devoted to his studies as he is to his athletic pursuits. For Capili, “The opportunity to be a part of the culture at Pacific and tight-knit team was really appealing” and he believes “that Pacific was the perfect place to call home.” Reflecting on his time as a Tiger so far, Capili says “Freshman year definitely comes with its ups and downs, but one of the most difficult things to adapt to was the rigorous schedule of a student-athlete.” Not all challenging, though, he added that “the level of camaraderie and support within the team” far exceeded his expectations. Capili also says “Representing UOP in the pool has been an amazing experience so far, and being able to do it with teammates who share the same passion and drive is really rewarding.” Providing advice to incoming freshmen, Capili says “to step out of your comfort zone and always try to be open-minded” and “to cherish the friendships and connections you make on campus.” Capili says he is “excited to experience the next three years with this family” and will no doubt continue to be an asset to Pacific athletics and the Tigers swim team. 

All in all, the first year of college can be challenging, yet these four student-athletes are adapting with grace and ease. With common themes of thankfulness for the support from their team and Pacific athletics, they are adjusting to the rigors of college academics and also competing at the Division I level. Hailing from all around the country, their differences are what make them unique, but they all have found a second home at Pacific.