Central College Athletics

Sam Worley
Olathe, Kan.
Class of 2023

Why did you choose Central?

I will not lie, Central was a very different environment than I was used to having gone to a 6A high school. However, I think what sold me to this school was that I was being given the opportunity to play the sport I love and be in a place where I know my experience was going to matter. I was going to be valued as a student, athlete, and member of the Central community not just treated as a number.

Favorite professor and why?

My favorite professor that I have had so far has to be John Roslien. I had Professor Roslien as my Intro to College Success Teacher and he made it his goal to ensure we enjoyed every class period. He not only taught me so much about all the resources and connections Central has to offer but he also pushed me to try activities I had never tried and meet people that were not inside my little volleyball bubble. I also reached out to Professor Roslien even when I did not have him as a professor and asked him for guidance on future career options, class questions, and help with some of my adjustment struggles as a freshman.  I appreciated that every time I reached out he made a point to make sure I felt as if my concerns mattered and that he truly wanted the best for me as an athlete, a student, and as a person. 

What is your major and why did you choose it?

I am majoring in Exercise Science with a Health Endorsement in hopes of becoming a Physical Education and Health Teacher. I would primarily like to work at the middle school level and teach about health and nutrition at this level as well. I think what drew me to P.E. was my love for working with kids and having been a volunteer coach and a daughter of a middle school teacher I was able to see first hand how big of an impact I can have on so many kids' experiences and give them tools they can take with them for the rest of their lives. I have also always been extremely passionate about nutrition and the amazing benefits that exercise offers our bodies. So I knew I would love to have the ability to teach all of these things to kids that are in such a perfect stage to learn about how they should be treating their bodies. 

Besides athletics, what else are you involved in on campus?

I am also involved in two work study programs outside of volleyball. I work at the at the cafe in the library and I also work at Kuyper in the equipment room. I hope this coming year I can get more involved in the clubs that Central offers.

Who are your go-to musical artists?

This is definitely the hardest question for me to answer because I love so many different types of music. My goal is always to be the friend that everyone wants on aux so I strive to find interest in all genres of music. If I had to pick a couple of my top played artists I think it would consist of Khalid, J.Cole, Dababy, Rex Orange County, and Frank Ocean. I normally don't listen to the same songs every single day though because I feel like I’m in a different mood music wise every day.

How has attending Central and playing a sport impacted your life?

Choosing to play volleyball at Central was probably one of the biggest and most rewarding decisions I have ever made. There were moments where I thought I was missing out on what my friends at bigger schools were experiencing  but the incredible people I have met at Central have made my experience here worthwhile. And being able to play volleyball with girls I never knew I would be so close to has been amazing.

What’s is your greatest achievement and how has It shaped you?

I think my greatest acheivement so far has been memorizing where the less curvy roads are on the way to Pella from Kansas City so that I can cut the 4.5 hour drive to like a 4 hour drive. I think this has really forced me to improve my previously terrible driving skills and my even worse sense of direction.

Who’s your hero?

My grandparents are my heroes because of how many lessons they have taught me and how many laughs they have shared with me over the years. They are the two most loving and supportive human beings I have and probably will ever meet. I aspire to be more like them in every aspect of my life.

What teammate would you bring to be your partner on the Amazing Race?

I would most likely bring Landry Luhring with me because she is wicked strong and quick on her feet and since we are both short we could stand on each other’s shoulders and have double the height advantage if needed.

If you were 80, what would you tell your grandchildren?

I would tell them that 2020 was actually a simulation. 

Favorite TV show?

New Girl is a timeless show. 

What’s your favorite part about being a part of Central volleyball?

My favorite part about Central VB is the girls. In all my year of playing club and school ball, I honestly had never experienced a team dynamic like the one we have at central. It is such a caring and goofy atmosphere with the most kind hearted girls. I have loved the travel that I have experienced through volleyball but my teammates make the whole thing worth while.

What do you hope to be doing in  10 years?

Wow this one is hard. In ten years I’m hoping to be employed at a middle school as a physical ed and health teacher. I also hope to be married and living somewhere on the coast with a big family. I will most likely have a lot of dogs and maybe a cat. I also would like to have the financial stability to shop from Free People.

Favorite food from Central Market?

My favorite food from the market would have to be the chicken wraps on Friday night. The thought of a warm chicken wrap drowned in buffalo sauce and a side of pickles is what gets me through my week most of the time.

Bucket List?

I have SO many things I want to do if I wrote down all of them this article would take an hour to read. I really want to go cage diving with sharks, I want to skydive, I want to travel to all of the Polynesian Islands, I would love to learn how to sail, I want to step foot in every continent on earth, and I want to meet and hear people’s stories from all over the world.