One last summer before graduation. That is what rising-senior and softball player Emma Downing will experience over the next few months. It certainly won’t be one of leisure, however, because that isn’t her style. Downing is a ‘go-getter’ who does everything with a passion.
“Emma is one of the hardest workers I have ever met,” Head Softball Coach Sara Schoenhoft said. “She strives for perfection and isn't afraid to put in the effort to meet her goals. This work ethic, combined with her commitment and loyalty to her teammates, makes her a great leader on the field and a great teammate and friend off the field.”
Coming from the suburbs of Albany, New York, she was looking for a school in a different part of the country where she could get a strong education, while continuing her softball career. After learning about Oberlin at a recruiting camp, she fell in the love with the campus and people on her first visit.
Now Downing can be found all over campus doing many different jobs. You may see her in Tappan Square giving tours for the admissions department, checking IDs at the front desk inside Philips, or even filming the men’s and women’s basketball games in the winter.
“I do it [work on campus] to pay back my parents for everything they have done for me,” said Downing. “I think about how much my parents have helped me financially and the many hours they have put in to help me athletically and as a person.”
Part of Emma’s job with the admissions is to give tours to prospective students, but one of the cooler aspects of the gig is running the admissions department’s Snapchat account, where she provides followers an inside look at the day-to-day happenings of campus life. “I really enjoy it, especially being able to give prospective students and their parents a creative view into the life at Oberlin as they learn more about the community.”
While not on the softball field or working, she spends her time in class learning about our past as a history major. Downing has always loved history and believes learning about previous occurrences can help develop a better future for all.
Her toughest academic challenge came after taking a Russian history class that forced her to broaden her horizons as she embarked on a new opportunity during winter term, learning the Russian language over the four-week period.
“I wanted to challenge myself academically, which is the reason I came to Oberlin, and that Russian class in particular was the most challenging academic class I have ever taken,” said Downing who is now fluent in English, French, and Russian.
In addition to working in a doctor’s office this summer, Downing will be interning at the Town of Halfmoon Justice Court. Along with the various administrative duties she will perform, she will also have the opportunity to observe and learn from the judges during court sessions.
“My goal is to soak up as much as I possibly can about the judicial system and hopefully come away with a better sense if law school is something I will purse in the future.”
If working two jobs wasn't enough already, the speedy outfielder is executing a research project about prostitution during the late Soviet period which she will present in hopes of being accepted into the honors history department this fall.
Before looking ahead to her time after Oberlin, she has big plans for her time left as the centerfielder for the Yeowomen. The two-year captain was happy she earned that responsibility as a sophomore and junior. “I think it is a huge honor that my teammates and coaches believed in me and trusted me to be a leader.”
On the field, she leads by example whether she is running down a ball in outfield, stealing a base, or hitting the ball over the wall in left field. Downing is always looking to improve and get better as she has high hopes for her senior season.
“I want the team to make the NCAC tournament and set the standard for what Oberlin softball can achieve. At the most basic level, I want to leave the program better than when it was when I first arrived on campus”
The junior’s biggest challenge as a softball player had been learning how to play in the outfield as a sophomore.
“I have gotten drastically better, and I loved the challenge of learning the position,” proclaimed Downing. “The hundreds of fly balls that Coach Schoenhoft and Coach Snover hit to me helped so much and I have grown to love the position.”
As for her competitiveness, she gives the credit to her brother, James, and the way her parents, Jim and Sue, raised her. “My dad always said if you are going to do something, do it the right way or don’t do it at all.”
Along with training her father, Downing stays in active in the summer playing in a league that features players from all levels of college softball.
With all of the things on her schedule you wonder how she manages it. But to no surprise, she loves it all.
“We would love to have a hundred Emma’s on our team,” Schoenhoft added. She is always willing to put others' needs ahead of her own and goes out of her way to help others. She is dependable, responsible, and a great role model for her teammates.”
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