Athletic Foundation

“I’ve played sports my whole life,” Caroline says. “Walking on to the rowing team was a huge challenge, but it taught me time management, grit, and how to lean on teammates when things get uncomfortable. Those skills are exactly what I rely on now in the MBA program.”

Caroline’s story is one many student-athletes will find familiar: early mornings, structured routines, and relentless practice pushing past boundaries. Whether training for a 2K test on the erg or preparing for her seventh marathon, she thrived on steady progress, clear goals, and the satisfaction of surpassing her last performance.. “Sports made me really organized,” she says. “I knew what I was doing every hour of the day, and I held myself accountable. That discipline translated into both my academics and my MBA journey.”

That mindset — competing against herself, not just others — mirrors the culture she’s found at Notre Dame. “One of the biggest differences here is that we’re all pushing each other to do our best work, but we’re cheering each other on at the same time,” Caroline explains. “It’s not cutthroat. Everyone knows when classmates get interviews or jobs, and we celebrate those wins together.”

Translating Grit to Business School

After five and a half years working in the insurance industry, Caroline made the bold decision to pivot careers by pursuing an MBA. Her role gave her strong analytical and relationship-building skills. Still, she realized insurance broking wasn’t her long-term path.“I wanted something that better fit my strengths and interests,” she says. “The MBA gave me the opportunity to reset, build new skills, and move into a career I was truly excited about.”

For former athletes considering an MBA, Caroline believes their background gives them an edge. “There’s a real difference in work ethic and teamwork between someone who’s been a student-athlete and someone who hasn’t,” she says. “If you’ve competed at that level, you know how to show up, stay disciplined, and keep going when things get hard. Those qualities make you successful in business school—whether you’re pivoting careers like I am or taking the next step in your current field.”

The Notre Dame Advantage

So why Notre Dame? For Caroline, the decision combined community, scale, and tradition. After years in Philadelphia and New York, she wanted a smaller, tight-knit environment with strong roots. “I’ve always liked being a big fish in a small pond,” she reflects. “Notre Dame’s smaller class sizes, the welcoming culture, and the incredible alumni network made it the perfect fit. Add in the fellowship support I received through the Forte Foundation, and it was a no-brainer.”

And of course, the athletics culture didn’t hurt. “I love following the football team, going to basketball games, and watching indoor track,” she says. “Sports are such a part of life here, and as someone who’s always been an athlete, that makes the experience even more special.”

Caroline sees a direct link between athletics and business success. “Athletics has taught me that I can do more than I think I can,” she says. “It’s about mindset, grit, and knowing that even if you fail, you can try again and get better.” That resilience, she believes, is exactly what prepares athletes to thrive in an MBA program at Notre Dame.

Beyond the Finish Line

As Caroline continues her second year at Notre Dame, working toward her marketing career goals while training for her next marathon, her story demonstrates that the distance between athletic and professional achievement is often shorter than it appears. The same discipline that enabled her to walk onto a Division I team, completing seven marathons and qualifying for Boston continue to drive her MBA success. For business schools seeking students who will maximize their educational opportunities, former athletes represent compelling candidates. They bring not just individual achievement but also an understanding of how personal excellence contributes to collective success, a lesson that serves them well not just in business school, but throughout their careers.

Caroline’s journey shows that in athletics and in business school, every finish line is a new starting point.