Nov. 19, 2004

Lori Arnold will graduate in May 2006 with a combined Bachelor/Masters degree in Management at Purdue University as part of the prestigious Krannert 3+2 program, which allows the top undergraduate students in the School of Management to begin Master's work in their fourth year.  What makes this feat even more amazing is the fact that Arnold is also a forward on Purdue's women's soccer team and has embraced the situation and done nothing but excel on and off the field.

Upon taking notice of her older sister Jennifer and the good grades she received in high school, Arnold took it upon herself to emulate her sister and discovered that she was more than capable of excelling in the classroom, something she says she knew in college would lead to many opportunities.

 "I realized going into this program that I would have to make sacrifices. I knew it would be hard work, but I couldn't miss the opportunity to be a Master's student, and I wasn't ready to give up soccer either," she said.

Says senior Kim Comisar, "Her time management is impeccable, always finding a way to get her work done. This is why she is not only a success in soccer, but she will be a success in life."  

Freshman Parrissa Eyorokon also expressed her amazement in what Arnold has accomplished and the example she is setting for others.

"She's always studying; there are times in the locker room where the team is getting ready for practice and she has a book open, reading and studying up for an exam or to get ahead in class. I think it's amazing how she can handle school and soccer so well. She is setting a good example for all the freshman and we're learning from her. We see how hard she is working and studying I hope one day I can do the same."

A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Arnold says the support of everyone around her has made this experience all that much better.

 "I love the people I am around on a daily basis. The professors are absolutely wonderful and I can't say enough about my classmates as I have learned and continue to learn so much from them. I love each and every one of my teammates as well. Several of them have offered to help in any way they can."

Arnold has undoubtedly filled her plate with many responsibilities while maintaining her rigorous academic course load in hopes of one day working in the marketing field, something head coach Robert Klatte sees as a certainty.

"I'm so impressed with her ability to focus and be single-minded on a goal, an area of improvement on her game, or her schoolwork. The girl is driven and self-motivated, with an ability to single out problem areas and address them, and she'll keep working until she accomplishes all her goals," he said.

Arnold was just as appreciative of her coach.

"Coach Klatte has been great through the whole process even though he knew that I would be missing more practice, losing more sleep, and be under more stress overall. He knew this was something I really wanted to do, and so he helped make it happen. I am so thankful for the support of the team. Without it, I may not be doing as well as I am."

Through all the late-night study sessions and early morning conditioning, Arnold has found the experience to be something she will remember the rest of her life.

"The rewards of being a student-athlete can't be put into words. You realize the meaning of teamwork, and the rewards of truly hard work. You learn leadership, organizational, and time management skills very quickly. The one thing that has really helped me through my experience juggling school and soccer is something that I think gets too often overlooked. People say college is the best time of your life. I always try to remember the whole reason I have been playing since I was five; to have fun."

Arnold continued by crediting her parents with their invaluable support.

"My father has been a great role model in my pursuit as an athlete and my mother is the most supportive person I'll ever have. She's always sending me little quotes, and inspirational words of advice. It is from these sources that I try to remember on a daily basis my favorite quote, To whom much is given, much is expected.

No matter what Lori Arnold aspires to do in life, there is no doubt she will continue to expect much of herself and as a result of her experiences as a Big Ten student-athlete continue to Dream Big.

Big Ten Women's Soccer

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