Middletown, Pa.- Penn State Harrisburg senior, Jackie Furch is a student athlete with a lot of ambition. She is currently studying Communications and will be graduating this spring in May. She currently pitches for the women's softball team here on campus.
Furch has played softball since the age of five. "I was always a utility player, even when starting out young I had so much love for the game; the same amount that I do today," said Furch. She recalls her team making ECAC playoffs last season as being her most memorable moment during her collegiate athletic career. "I will never forget the homerun I hit in Myrtle Beach two years ago. Coach Sherman and I talked about it the other day. He still says that ball went 250 feet before it landed, but I was too busy running. I didn't realize it went over the fence until I got to second base and Coach D told me to slow down," said Furch.
If Furch had the opportunity to give advice to other student athletes throughout the world, she would say:
"Never back down! There are going to be so many people in this world that try to break you. They are either envious or they have doubt in you. You all have a few important gifts, 1) your athletic ability 2) the drive to get better and 3) the mind set to not let back. Take what is yours but be a team player at the same time. Do not stop till you are satisfied once you hit that point… KEEP GOING, the grind never stops," said Furch.
After transferring to Penn State Harrisburg from Penn State Hazleton her sophomore year, Furch has left her mark on this campus by being active in multiple organizations. She is the President of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.; Vice President of Sororities for the Greek Life Council; along with being a member of both the Public Relations Club and the WPSH Radio Club. Furch also volunteers at the In the Net Sports Complex once a week and she is also employed at the Capital Union Building (CUB) as well as LA Fitness.
Communication and criticism are two key things in life that Furch has learned over the years. "Communication is one major key to success and criticism is one of the best tools to help you in life, don't let any of that bring you down, learn from it," said Furch.
Her favorite sports team outside of the CAC is the University of North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team. Furch has always been a fan of basketball and UNC is her favorite university. If Furch had the opportunity to go to dinner with someone special, it would either be her favorite actor Heath Ledger, her all time favorite athlete Derek Jeter, or her late grandfather who she would give anything in the world just to see him again.