A Letter to the Master's in Sport & Athletic Administration
Cara McKenzie (’22) has been a professional volleyball athlete in Europe making a name for herself as one of the top U.S. players in the continent. Looking ahead, McKenzie plans to pursue management positions on the volleyball side once she completes her career playing. Since graduation, she has stayed in touch with our faculty and recently shared a wonderful letter about her time in the Master’s in Sport and Athletic Administration. Read her message below.
After Gonzaga, my first professional contract was in Finland with Polkky Kuusamo, my second contract was in Switzerland with Sm’Aesch Pfeffingen, the third was in Germany with Ladies in Black Aachen, and now I am in Spain with CD Heidelberg.
I am incredibly grateful for the career I have had, and all the amazing places I have played and lived. I am always hopeful that I will find a place where I can settle in and play multiple seasons. However, thus far in my career, I have felt a call to move on to something new and more challenging at the conclusion of each season. I am always looking to grow and develop in new ways, and experiencing new leagues, coaching and playing styles, and cultures has taught me an immeasurable amount about myself and this sport. With each new step in my career, I have felt I have risen to the occasion, and made immense strides in my play. I am stepping into this new season in Spain with the most confidence I have had in my career and I am excited for what this season has in store!
As for life after my professional career, I am hoping to coach at the collegiate level. This has been a dream of mine for a long time, and my professional playing career has provided me with a wealth of knowledge to bring back to future student-athletes. Not only has my playing career made me a more confident player, but has increased my knowledge of the game and what it takes to lead a successful program. The student-athlete experience is incredibly unique and it would be an immense honor to help guide young people through that journey of exploration, development, and self-actualization.
My experience at Gonzaga was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I have never felt more whole, authentic, and deeply supported and valued than I did during my time at Gonzaga. Being a member of the Gonzaga women’s volleyball program was a deeply healing experience for me, and provided me with the necessary development as both a person and player to help me reach my dream of being a professional. Additionally, the MASAA program offered me an incredible education and insight into sport and athletic administration. Having an educational background in sport and athletic administration has been an invaluable resource in my playing career, as it has allowed me to understand the full scope of my role and the roles of everyone within the organization. Additionally, this background has assisted in the way that I advocate for my needs and the needs of my teammates to ensure cohesion at all levels. Furthermore, the support and kindness I received from my peers and administrators in the MASAA program echoed that of my coaches and teammates in the volleyball program. In every space I occupied at Gonzaga, I felt celebrated and encouraged in my dream of becoming a professional volleyball player and some day a collegiate volleyball coach. I would certainly not be where I am today without each and every person that embraced who I am and who I wanted to be in my time at Gonzaga. It is truly the most special place full of the most special people, and I am eternally grateful for restoration and revival I experienced in my time there. Go Zags!
Best,
Cara McKenzie
After Gonzaga, my first professional contract was in Finland with Polkky Kuusamo, my second contract was in Switzerland with Sm’Aesch Pfeffingen, the third was in Germany with Ladies in Black Aachen, and now I am in Spain with CD Heidelberg.
I am incredibly grateful for the career I have had, and all the amazing places I have played and lived. I am always hopeful that I will find a place where I can settle in and play multiple seasons. However, thus far in my career, I have felt a call to move on to something new and more challenging at the conclusion of each season. I am always looking to grow and develop in new ways, and experiencing new leagues, coaching and playing styles, and cultures has taught me an immeasurable amount about myself and this sport. With each new step in my career, I have felt I have risen to the occasion, and made immense strides in my play. I am stepping into this new season in Spain with the most confidence I have had in my career and I am excited for what this season has in store!
As for life after my professional career, I am hoping to coach at the collegiate level. This has been a dream of mine for a long time, and my professional playing career has provided me with a wealth of knowledge to bring back to future student-athletes. Not only has my playing career made me a more confident player, but has increased my knowledge of the game and what it takes to lead a successful program. The student-athlete experience is incredibly unique and it would be an immense honor to help guide young people through that journey of exploration, development, and self-actualization.
My experience at Gonzaga was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I have never felt more whole, authentic, and deeply supported and valued than I did during my time at Gonzaga. Being a member of the Gonzaga women’s volleyball program was a deeply healing experience for me, and provided me with the necessary development as both a person and player to help me reach my dream of being a professional. Additionally, the MASAA program offered me an incredible education and insight into sport and athletic administration. Having an educational background in sport and athletic administration has been an invaluable resource in my playing career, as it has allowed me to understand the full scope of my role and the roles of everyone within the organization. Additionally, this background has assisted in the way that I advocate for my needs and the needs of my teammates to ensure cohesion at all levels. Furthermore, the support and kindness I received from my peers and administrators in the MASAA program echoed that of my coaches and teammates in the volleyball program. In every space I occupied at Gonzaga, I felt celebrated and encouraged in my dream of becoming a professional volleyball player and some day a collegiate volleyball coach. I would certainly not be where I am today without each and every person that embraced who I am and who I wanted to be in my time at Gonzaga. It is truly the most special place full of the most special people, and I am eternally grateful for restoration and revival I experienced in my time there. Go Zags!
Best,
Cara McKenzie