Vivian Imaizumi 
Northwestern - Fencing - 1996-00 

My experience as a Big Ten Conference student-athlete made a huge impact in my life. I was a walk-on with the fencing team at Northwestern. I never imagined how far my fencing would take me after college. I represented my country multiple times in World Cup Championships, amazing experiences that could not have happened without the support of my Northwestern coaches. Beyond the long road trips, endless hours of practice, and trying to prove myself as a walk-on, were coaches who supported me and had faith in me until the end.

I made relationships with my teammates that are as strong today as they were almost a decade ago. I will never forget the moment when we beat Notre Dame on their home turf in 2000 for the Midwest Championships and became one of the strongest sabre squads in the country. I am grateful for being an athlete in the Big Ten. It taught me a lot of life lessons on sportsmanship, humility, teamwork and pride. Thank you Coach Schiller and Coach Ed Kaihatsu - you were the best coaches anyone could ever ask for!