Sophomore Sarah Birchmeier is a Spanish and Secondary Education major, with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies at Wilkes University. From Cherry Hill, N.J., Birchmeier plays for the Women’s Basketball team as a guard.

Q: What was the driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes?

A: The great teacher-to-student relationship, small class sizes, and Spanish as a major.

Q: What are your post-graduation plans in terms of a Career?

A: High school Spanish teacher and/or Translator.

Q: What are your hopes for your second season as a Colonel?

A: I hope to see the Women’s Basketball team achieve a winning record and make it to playoffs.

Q: When/Why did you first begin playing basketball?

A: I started playing in 6th grade because the coach told me to — because in 6th grade, I was already 5’6”.

Q: If you had to choose one thing about Wilkes’ Basketball Program that you could improve, what would it be?

A: I wish we could improve our record from last year; we are a much stronger team than our record made us out to be.

Q: Do you have other sports/interest/hobbies off of the court?

A: I also play for the Wilkes Softball team, but when I’m not at practice or a game I play guitar and piano.

Q: Who would you say is the most influential person in your life?

A: The most influential person in my life is my high school basketball/softball coach. Stephanie Digneo coached me all four years in basketball and coached me for my last two years in softball. She taught me what it means to be a true athlete.

Q: A quote you live your life by?

A: “If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.” – Nora Roberts

Q: Do you have any advice for the freshmen student athletes beginning their freshman seasons and semesters?

A: Come to your season in shape, work hard whether you are in season or not. Stay ahead on your school work, you never know when a game or practice will be rescheduled.

Q: How do you feel about the changes being made to campus this year? What do you like or dislike?

A: I love the Gateway, it’s so pretty and well-lit and makes me feel a lot safer walking back to Towers late at night. I dislike that they got rid of Cinnamon Toast Crunch in the SUB.