Chelsea Deuel
Sports – in various iterations — have long been an integral part of Chelsea Deuel’s life.
At Binghamton High School, she competed in track and field, indoor track, diving and cheerleading. After graduating high school, she earned her coaching certification and worked as a swimming and diving coach for two summers, an experience that made her realize a love for teaching.
Why does she love sports so much? “I have a lot of energy and I like to win,” she said.
Majoring in Sport Studies at SUNY Broome proved to be a perfect fit.
“I had a great time,” Chelsea, who will graduate in May, said of her SUNY Broome experience. “I chose the major I really enjoy doing.”
SUNY Broome Hornets cheerleaders
She loves the classes she has taken in the program, including Fitness and Wellness and Team Sports. During the latter class, she took to the court to play against faculty and staff in a charity volleyball game.
She met Coach Collin Crawford through her tennis class, and joined the small but mighty SUNY Broome women’s tennis team. The Lady Hornets were once again Region III champions and competed at the 2017 NJCAA National Tennis Championships in Georgia, where they tied for fifth place.
It was a remarkable experience for Chelsea, who also participates in Hornets cheerleading and will play on the softball team this spring.
“I made a lot of friends, especially doing a lot of sports,” she said.
It can be tough to balance competition with classwork, but Deuel gets the job done. For tough classes, such as Anatomy and Physiology, she took advantage of tutoring offered in the college’s Learning Assistance Department, making sure to make every session.
Chelsea Deuel playing tennis
“I know I would do well if I worked hard,” she said.
Deuel, who plans to transfer to SUNY Cortland and eventually become a physical education teacher, had an in-depth look into the realities of her chosen field in Professor Christine Duffy-Webb’s Introduction to American Education class. As part of the course, she spent 30 hours shadowing teachers in Port Dickinson Elementary School, Binghamton High School and Ben Franklin Elementary School.
“She played an important role in showing what a future life as an educator will entail,” she said of her professor.
Chelsea Deuel and a tennis teammate
Tags: Liberal Arts Division, Sport Studies AS, Student Profile
