FEATURE: Rymer's Plan
By Robert Sampson
WKU Athletic Communications/Media Relations
Being just an hour from her hometown of Nashville, Courtney Rymer's decision to come to Western Kentucky University seems like the perfect choice upon reflection.
"I was in a place where I was deciding if I wanted to play soccer or be a regular student," said Rymer. "I feel in love with it here."
Even after deciding to be a soccer player in college, the road wasn't always easy.
"I don't know if I was nervous, but I know I missed home and questioned if this is where I needed to be," said Rymer. "But I am glad I got through that phase.
"I think I am completely different person overall, on and off the field," said Rymer of the person she was as a WKU freshman. "On the field, I have matured and become more confident with my play and how I am as a leader. Off the field, I feel like I have grown up so much. I have matured and become more responsible. Just grown up."
When shown a photograph of herself as a WKU freshman, Rymer reflected that she was young, just a baby and didn't know what she was getting herself into.
"I wasn't sure if an hour away was going to be too much or too little," said Rymer. " It has been such a blessing that my family is just an hour away. My family comes up every weekend that we are at home. If I don't see them for a weekend, it is crazy in my mind. It is nice to be able to go home when I need it and see my parents, my grandparents, my aunt and uncle and cousins. It has been more influential than I expected it to be.
"My parents are the best parents in the world and support me 100 percent."
Getting through the early phase of her career where she was homesick and still adapting to college life has led Rymer on a path to be an anchor in the WKU midfield.
She has enjoyed a successful senior season in pushing one of the league's top offenses and guiding the league's top defense. Due to the strong work in the middle and backline, WKU has produced one of the league's stingiest defenses. Her work pushing the ball in the midfield has led to 15 different players scoring for the Lady Toppers. Rymer has specifically been part of three goals this season via assist.
"I feel I have been blessed with a lot of things," said Rymer. "I have an amazing family and friends and have had so many amazing opportunities."
Among the opportunities outside the field of play for Rymer are a strong contribution of time to the community and involvement in a sorority.
"A lot of my community involvement has come through Student-Athlete Advisory Committee," said Rymer. "I have been the co-chair of it this year and last year.
"We just try to give back. If it is reading to kids, walking dogs, cleaning the park, collecting food or working Christmas in Kentucky because the community of Bowling Green has given us so much. We are blessed with so many things and as an athletic community we need to give back to the community."
Rymer also has the rare perspective of a student-athlete that is able to participate in a sorority full time, even though her time with soccer still takes priority.
She is believed to be the only soccer player to participate in both for four complete years.
"My sorority (Alpha Delta Pi) is very good about realizing that soccer is my priority and that soccer comes first," said Rymer. "I come to everything I can but they realize if I have practice or have a meeting, that comes first. That is the only way I have been able to do it, by them realizing that I have to do that. I give them a lot of credit for me being able to do both."
The ability to do multiple things has not only helped her on the field, but has helped her map out a potential career choice.
"I think that being organized is key to being a student-athlete," said Rymer. "With soccer and school, especially with being captain, it is so many details that you don't see. My planner and I are best friends. My organizations skills are a big asset with soccer. There are always changes in schedules or somewhere to be.
"I like planning things. I like events. I want to be a wedding planner or work with a sports team. Weddings are happy times for everybody. I think they are beautiful and awesome. It is most brides' best day of their lives, so I like to make people happy."
Rymer will graduate in May 2013.
"The plan is to find a job. I really love to work in sports and the event coordinating with that or work for a private organization that specializes in event coordinating."
Looking back, the decision to play soccer and deal with the battles that come with being a student-athlete will make Rymer stronger in the future.
"If we can make it through four years of Division I soccer, we can make it through anything."
