Senior Spotlight: Camille Principe, Penn State Hazleton
Welcome to our Senior Spotlight series. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the PSUAC had to cancel its fall and winter sport seasons. This prevented several student-athletes from receiving a proper senior day and minimized opportunities for Player of the Week awards. In its place, we will highlight seniors from around the conference throughout the remainder of the semester.
See more Senior Spotlight highlights on our Twitter (@psuac) and Instagram (psuac)!
Name: Camille Principe
Campus: Hazleton
Primary Sport: Women's Soccer
Primary Position(s): Defense
Hometown: Jim Thorpe, PA
High School: Jim Thorpe
Major: Letters, Arts, and Sciences
Academic Achievements: Dean's List 2017-2020, PSUAC All-Conference Academic Team 2017-2020, USCAA Academic All American 2018-2020
How did your Penn State education prepare you for life after graduation? After graduation, I plan on continuing my education in a Master's program. Throughout my four years at Penn State, I have found my passion and learned important information that will help me succeed in graduate school and in my professional career.
How do you hope to be remembered by teammates and coaches? I hope to be remembered as a valuable member of the team, a good person, and a good friend. I was very fortunate to have the teammates and coaches that I had, and I hope to remain close with them long after graduation.
What is your favorite memory from playing your sport at Penn State? My favorite memory from playing soccer is probably going to the final two years in a row. Making it for the first time was an incredible experience. Then, making it that far the following year showed how much we had grown in just a year. Also, my junior year, we won our semifinal game against Mont Alto on my birthday; we were losing and came back to win and qualify for the final.
What is the best advice you ever received from a coach or teammate that you would share with other student-athletes? The best advice I have ever received is lean on your teammates. In order to be successful in your sport, it is important to rely on each other. This is true outside of sports as well; people should not go through things alone. Look to other people for help when you need it!
What are you most looking forward to post graduation? Or in your transition to University Park (or other campus) to finish your degree? I am most looking forward to gaining new experiences. I am very excited to finish my undergraduate education and continue moving forward in my life. I will be living in a new place, meeting new people, learning new information, and continuing to grow.
What are some of the tools or skills that you learned through all the years of playing your sport that you plan to instill once you enter the workforce? Patience and teamwork are probably two of the most important skills I have learned through playing soccer. Being able to effectively work with others and having patience when things are not going exactly how you want them to are both very important in life. Throughout my four years of soccer, I have learned how to be more creative and to adjust to different situations.
What impact did athletics have on your experience as a college student? What is your favorite memory outside of athletics during your time as a student-athlete? Playing soccer for Penn State was incredibly impactful for me. Soccer has always been a big part of my life, and I am so thankful I was able to continue in college. Playing at Penn State Hazleton led me to so many people that I am extremely lucky to have in my life today; I made so many friends, incredible memories, and learned so many lessons that I will keep forever.
Please use this space to thank anyone you wish to acknowledge for their support during your academic and athletic career. I would like to thank my coaches for supporting me and helping me be the best player I could be. I would also like to thank all of my teammates and friends for all of the laughs, memories, and support. My siblings, for always being there for me, sharing so many memories with me, and being the best friends I could ever ask for. Finally, I would like to thank my mom and dad for introducing me to the game that I have loved for most of my life, driving me everywhere, coaching me, supporting me, and guiding me! I would not be where I am today without them!