The University of Akron Athletics
In Their Own Words - Lisa (Workman) Kaulig Alumni Postcard
Akron Athletics wants to hear from YOU!
Send us a postcard! Share your story as a Zips' student-athlete and Alum.
Challenge your former teammates and classmates to send us postcards on all of Akron's Zips' social media platforms.
You can upload your own video challenges on your own Twitter (preferred) or other social media accounts, if you do so, please include #ZipsRiseTogether and #ZipsAlumniPostcardChallenge in your social media posts so we can highlight your efforts. Additionally, please visit GoZips.com/AlumniPostcard to complete an online postcard.
Lisa (Workman) Kaulig (1991-95, cheerleading)
What makes you most proud to be a Zip?
I had an amazing time being a cheerleader for the Zips. My time in college were some of the best years of my life. I was able to make lifetime friendships, get to know other athletes (met my husband who played football), and cheer for our athletic teams. I was proud to wear my uniform and proud of the community at the U of A. Between being in a sorority, being a cheerleader, and getting to know other classmates, I felt at home and comfortable during my time in college. I was also fortunate enough to earn my graduate degree there as well. I am proud to continue supporting the University of Akron and attend games when possible. GO ZIPS!
How are you and your family doing during this time?
We are doing well. Blessed to have a home, food, and each other.
Any messages of hope or inspiration for fellow Zips out there during our current stay-at-home orders?
Remember this too shall pass. Take a breath, try to learn something from this process and turn a negative into a positive. And take time to take care of yourself.
What is your current job, title, ect. that are keeping you busy these days?
I am currently a stay-at-home mom to our 12-year old daughter and am very involved in her dance and school. I also enjoy reading, working out, dancing, and playing the drums.
What was/were the deciding factors(s) that brought you to Akron?
My sister was going to school there and really liked it. I also wanted to be a cheerleader at Akron since I could remember and had worked really hard to be able to tryout and have a good shot at it. And I grew up close and knew I could commute there and still get a great education.
What was/were your first impression(s) of Akron?
It felt really big. So much was spread out at the time so it was a bit overwhelming at first. However, the more I became involved and got to know so many people, it really didn't seem so big and began to feel like the place I was supposed to be.
What makes being a student-athlete at Akron unique?
When I was there, all of the athletes seemed to know each other and support each other. People would often go to each other's sporting events and show their support to the other teams and other people on the teams. It was also nice to be familiar with all of the coaches and the staff in the athletic department. Everyone seemed to know each other as student athletes.
What are your favorite memories on court, field, etc.?
My first Homecoming game during my first year cheering for football was really exciting. Looking up in the stands and seeing so many people excited to be there and being on the field next to the team as a freshman was super fun. I also really enjoyed being able to show everyone all of the things our squad had been working so hard on during the basketball games on the court. I just loved it all.
One of the best aspects of being a student-athlete is teammate camaraderie. Give us an example from your experience as a student-athlete.
My squad became my greatest friends. We hung out together, supported each other, practiced hard, laughed, picked each other up when we needed it, and respected each other. Cheerleading and stunting create such a dependency on your teammates so the level of trust and friendship was strong for all of us. It really created some of the greatest memories of my life and college would not have been the same if I had not been involved in the athletic system.
What is your personal success story?
I was able to graduate from the University of Akron with a degree in psychology. I went straight into my master's program in marriage and family counseling and soon got a job as a therapist after I graduated. I was a child/family therapist and supervisor for about seven years before leaving to be a full-time mom at home.
What is it that you have learned from being a student-athlete at Akron that you will use throughout your life after graduation?
Never give up. Work hard for what you want. Teamwork is super important for success. Have fun.
How has being a student-athlete at Akron aided in your personal development?
I think being a college athlete made me a lot more confident in myself. High school can be a tough time and being in athletics at the college level really made me learn a lot about myself. It opened up my world as far as meeting a lot of new people that came from many different places, backgrounds, experiences, etc. I will always look back on those times with immense gratitude and love.
Being a student-athlete requires a lot of time management. How have you learned to do so?
Honestly i think I was much better with time management in college than I am now. I had to be really intentional about how I was spending my time. When I wasn't in class or in the gym, I had to balance school work, a social life, practicing, and time for family. I think I got really good at it because I was able to be an athlete and also get good grades and make great friends.
What is your view on the difference between playing and competing?
The only time we competed in cheerleading was during actual competitions. It was fun, intense, brought us all closer together, and a challenge. Cheering for football and basketball was much more about having fun, getting involved with the crowd, and entertaining everyone.
Being a student-athlete has high physical demands, but also requires mental toughness as well. What have you done to develop both?
I had to do things physically that I had never done before so it was a huge challenge. It took a lot of perseverance and commitment to learn new things and get in the best physical shape of my life. It also took a lot of mental toughness to not be scared to try new things, new stunts, fly in the air trusting the people below you to catch you, and be out on the floor or on the field having the mental confidence and strength to do your routines and not mess up or let your teammates down.
Send us a postcard! Share your story as a Zips' student-athlete and Alum.
Challenge your former teammates and classmates to send us postcards on all of Akron's Zips' social media platforms.
You can upload your own video challenges on your own Twitter (preferred) or other social media accounts, if you do so, please include #ZipsRiseTogether and #ZipsAlumniPostcardChallenge in your social media posts so we can highlight your efforts. Additionally, please visit GoZips.com/AlumniPostcard to complete an online postcard.
Lisa (Workman) Kaulig (1991-95, cheerleading)
What makes you most proud to be a Zip?
I had an amazing time being a cheerleader for the Zips. My time in college were some of the best years of my life. I was able to make lifetime friendships, get to know other athletes (met my husband who played football), and cheer for our athletic teams. I was proud to wear my uniform and proud of the community at the U of A. Between being in a sorority, being a cheerleader, and getting to know other classmates, I felt at home and comfortable during my time in college. I was also fortunate enough to earn my graduate degree there as well. I am proud to continue supporting the University of Akron and attend games when possible. GO ZIPS!
How are you and your family doing during this time?
We are doing well. Blessed to have a home, food, and each other.
Any messages of hope or inspiration for fellow Zips out there during our current stay-at-home orders?
Remember this too shall pass. Take a breath, try to learn something from this process and turn a negative into a positive. And take time to take care of yourself.
What is your current job, title, ect. that are keeping you busy these days?
I am currently a stay-at-home mom to our 12-year old daughter and am very involved in her dance and school. I also enjoy reading, working out, dancing, and playing the drums.
What was/were the deciding factors(s) that brought you to Akron?
My sister was going to school there and really liked it. I also wanted to be a cheerleader at Akron since I could remember and had worked really hard to be able to tryout and have a good shot at it. And I grew up close and knew I could commute there and still get a great education.
What was/were your first impression(s) of Akron?
It felt really big. So much was spread out at the time so it was a bit overwhelming at first. However, the more I became involved and got to know so many people, it really didn't seem so big and began to feel like the place I was supposed to be.
What makes being a student-athlete at Akron unique?
When I was there, all of the athletes seemed to know each other and support each other. People would often go to each other's sporting events and show their support to the other teams and other people on the teams. It was also nice to be familiar with all of the coaches and the staff in the athletic department. Everyone seemed to know each other as student athletes.
What are your favorite memories on court, field, etc.?
My first Homecoming game during my first year cheering for football was really exciting. Looking up in the stands and seeing so many people excited to be there and being on the field next to the team as a freshman was super fun. I also really enjoyed being able to show everyone all of the things our squad had been working so hard on during the basketball games on the court. I just loved it all.
One of the best aspects of being a student-athlete is teammate camaraderie. Give us an example from your experience as a student-athlete.
My squad became my greatest friends. We hung out together, supported each other, practiced hard, laughed, picked each other up when we needed it, and respected each other. Cheerleading and stunting create such a dependency on your teammates so the level of trust and friendship was strong for all of us. It really created some of the greatest memories of my life and college would not have been the same if I had not been involved in the athletic system.
What is your personal success story?
I was able to graduate from the University of Akron with a degree in psychology. I went straight into my master's program in marriage and family counseling and soon got a job as a therapist after I graduated. I was a child/family therapist and supervisor for about seven years before leaving to be a full-time mom at home.
What is it that you have learned from being a student-athlete at Akron that you will use throughout your life after graduation?
Never give up. Work hard for what you want. Teamwork is super important for success. Have fun.
How has being a student-athlete at Akron aided in your personal development?
I think being a college athlete made me a lot more confident in myself. High school can be a tough time and being in athletics at the college level really made me learn a lot about myself. It opened up my world as far as meeting a lot of new people that came from many different places, backgrounds, experiences, etc. I will always look back on those times with immense gratitude and love.
Being a student-athlete requires a lot of time management. How have you learned to do so?
Honestly i think I was much better with time management in college than I am now. I had to be really intentional about how I was spending my time. When I wasn't in class or in the gym, I had to balance school work, a social life, practicing, and time for family. I think I got really good at it because I was able to be an athlete and also get good grades and make great friends.
What is your view on the difference between playing and competing?
The only time we competed in cheerleading was during actual competitions. It was fun, intense, brought us all closer together, and a challenge. Cheering for football and basketball was much more about having fun, getting involved with the crowd, and entertaining everyone.
Being a student-athlete has high physical demands, but also requires mental toughness as well. What have you done to develop both?
I had to do things physically that I had never done before so it was a huge challenge. It took a lot of perseverance and commitment to learn new things and get in the best physical shape of my life. It also took a lot of mental toughness to not be scared to try new things, new stunts, fly in the air trusting the people below you to catch you, and be out on the floor or on the field having the mental confidence and strength to do your routines and not mess up or let your teammates down.
