DENVER – Today is the debut of a question-and-answer series with MSU Denver student-athletes and MSU Denver Athletics intern Liz Rosenberg.
 
Our first subject on the Student to Student-Athlete Q&A is softball player Olivia Dampier.
 
Liz: What is your major/minor?

Olivia: I'm majoring in chemistry and concentrating in criminalistics, so I don't have to have a minor.
 
Liz: On to softball, how is your career going?

Olivia: Technically, this is my second year. We're a spring sport and last year our season got cut short (due to coronavirus). So technically I'm a sophomore but eligibility-wise I'm a freshman. We didn't even make it halfway through, so all spring sports got an extra year of eligibility.  
 
Liz: When is the season projected to start?

Olivia: It's supposed to start in February, but we're kind of playing it by ear. 
 
Liz: How have you been balancing sports, school, work and family life during the pandemic?

Olivia: At first when everything got cancelled, it was really hard. I went from not being online, to everything being online. The transition was hard at first, but now I (kind of) have it down. We have practice during the week, I have school during the week and have work during the weekends. I have learned a lot of time management, so I am getting it down.
 
Liz: Are all your classes online or have you had some on campus this semester?

Olivia: I'm all online except my lab. We meet three times and we have already met twice so we meet on campus one more time, then that's it.

Liz: COVID aside, I saw on your bio that you have a few family members that have attended MSU Denver. Your father played baseball, your grandfather was a coach for seven years and your mom graduated from MSU Denver. Did this inspire you or impact your decision choosing to play here?

Olivia: It didn't have much of an impact on my decision. I did find out about the program from my parents, which led me to look into it more. I just really liked the school and the campus. They think it's so exciting. When they went, it was still Metropolitan State College, not a university yet ,and they are happy to see the school is growing. As for the chemistry program, we are ranked pretty high, so I am in the right place and we're happy about that. 
 
Liz: What's it like having two brothers? Do they play sports?

Olivia: We are very spaced out, I'm in the middle. My older brother is 27, he played baseball, football, and wrestled in high school, so did my dad. My younger brother is 9. He's just barely getting into baseball. He did karate and wants to play golf.
 
Liz: How long have you been playing softball? Have you played any other sports?

Olivia: A long time, I have been playing since I was 5, so it's been about 14 years. I played soccer when I was younger, gymnastics for a couple years, volleyball and basketball in middle school. I even did a 3 on 3 league in basketball in high school, but softball has always been my main sport. 
 
Liz: What would you say is your crowning achievement in your athletic career? Something that makes you say, "this is why I love softball?"

Olivia: I got female athlete of the month a couple of times in high school. I was also mentioned in the athletic department about hard-working athletes. Thinking about it, a lot of it is about individual plays, those ESPN plays, those remind me of why I play. It's all fun but when those moments happen, it reminds me of why I love playing.
 
Liz: Do you have any hidden talents, besides being able to play every sport in the world?

Olivia: I guess my most hidden talent is I am decently artistic. I like to look at something and draw it. I want to take an art elective at one point.
 
Liz: Anything you want the Roadrunners to know about you, words of wisdom or advice for anyone playing softball?

Olivia: I always heard "you know, when you get to college, it's hard." It is. Your body is sore, you're always tired, but it IS worth it. Going in and knowing that this is going to be a challenge helped me. I guess I was prepared for it to suck, not "suck" like I hate it, it sucks that your tired and sore from all the hard work. Also, time management helps a lot – if you don't have that, it's hard. You do a lot of softball and a lot of studying. But it is WORTH IT!
 
Liz: Do you have any social media that roadrunners can follow your journey?

Olivia: My Instagram is Olivia.Dampier and Twitter is @OliviaDampier!