For senior Kirby Livingston, Oberlin hasn't been just about being a two-sport athlete or being named a Jewish Sports Review All-American for lacrosse; it has been about the spiritual and educational journey as well.

The psychology major and sociology minor originally came to Oberlin with athletic intentions. After being recruited by both the lacrosse and football coaching staffs, Livingston arrived to Oberlin from Brookline, Massachusetts, ready to get on the field. Little did he know he would soon find interests off the field that may guide him down a different path after graduation.

"I've always known I wanted to be involved in athletics my entire life, but I have discovered things here academically that I didn't think about as a possibility or know I was interested in," says Livingston. "I've really enjoyed learning about sociology in particular. It was something I wasn't even aware of before I came to Oberlin."

When not busy with football or lacrosse, Livingston works at the Carr Pool giving swimming lessons to elementary school students from the area. It has been this experience combined with his academic work that has Livingston looking into coaching and education after his graduation this spring.

At Oberlin College, winter term is a unique opportunity for students to take the month of January and undertake something they may not otherwise be able to during the academic year. Taking full advantage, Livingston embarked on a heritage trip to Israel last winter, led by teammate and classmate Gideon Reiz. The trip, which is referred to as Birthright trip, is designed for Jewish young adults to experience Israel, something they may not otherwise be able to do.

"This trip really allowed me to reconnect with my Jewish faith, which is something I had kind of gotten away from since my bar mitzvah. Also being able to reevaluate what it meant to me to be Jewish was a really great personal experience that I will never forget."

But as luck may have it, Livingston may have an opportunity to represent Israel as an athlete on the international stage.

After reading an article about two former Yeomen lacrosse players that are playing for the Israeli lacrosse national team, Livingston got interested in the idea and contacted Scott Neiss, the Executive Director of Israel Lacrosse about the possibilities of getting involved.

The coach offered Livingston a tryout with the team during scrimmages against Syracuse University and Sienna University. He hopes to hear soon whether or not he makes the team prior to the FIL World Lacrosse Championships in July 2014.

"It was a great experience and I got to play with some really talented guys. Just being able to wear the Israel jersey was an honor and I hope to find out soon whether I made the team."

As his time as an Oberlin student is nearing its end, Livingston reflected back on his time as a Yeomen and about what he's going to miss the most.

"All the people I've met here, whether it be teammates, coaches, or professors, have meant a lot to me and I'm really going to miss that. Also being able to compete everyday athletically is something that I'm really going to miss."

"Being able to learn so much academically and challenge myself intellectually on a daily basis is something that I love about Oberlin. When you're not here you realize isn't really a normal thing, but there is always something to do here and never a dull moment."

Main Cover Photo: Kirby with class of 2013 alum and former football player Dan Weintraub.