The University of Akron Athletics
In Their Own Words - Meghan Bowling 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.
Meghan Bowling (2009-12, women's swimming and diving)
What makes you most proud to be a Zip?
My education at Akron was phenomenal. I was definitely prepared to enter the workforce. From my time as a student-athlete, I was well prepared to meet the time constraints of a busy life style. I love when people ask me about my time at Akron. From the relationships amongst my teammates and classmates, to the opportunities afforded to me by the coaches, it was definitely a defining time in my life.
How are you and your family doing during this time?
We are doing well. We have been making it a priority to stay in touch and see each other when we can with social distancing of course.
Any messages of hope or inspiration for fellow Zips out there during our current stay-at-home orders?
Things may be challenging right now, but this is going to pass. We are going to be better from it. We will appreciate everything so much more when it comes back. Our time with family and friends will be so valued.
Do you have any work from home tips that you have learned while quarantined?
Take a break. It's a lot to be engaged in technology all day. Sometimes putting it away and going outside is all you need. You don't have to be perfect right now.
What is your current job, title, ect. that are keeping you busy these days?
I currently teach seventh grade language arts in a middle school in Cincinnati. I also coach high school swimming and summer club swimming.
What was/were the deciding factors(s) that brought you to Akron?
The beauty of the campus, the quality education, the kindness of my teammates and coaches, the athletic facilities, the community
What was/were your first impression(s) of Akron?
I could tell right away that Akron was a family. The commitment to students was evident. The university prioritized a well-rounded student-athlete experience. The supports were immense. The facilities were beautiful.
What makes being a student-athlete at Akron unique?
I really enjoyed being part of the community. The camaraderie between athletes of all teams was unique. My best friends are from the team. Sharing the experience with my teammates made us really understand one another.
What are your favorite memories on court, field, etc.?
My favorite memory is swimming in the MAC championship at Akron my senior year. In swimming at a taper meet, everyone is always nervous about how the results are going to come in. I was the first on our team to swim an individual event. I had already made up my mind that things were going to go well and I was going to enjoy every moment. When I finished my race, all of my teammates and coaches were crying. At that moment, I didn't understand what the tears were for as I was happy, but later I understood that it was because they had gone through the entire journey with me up until that point.
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 mom passed away my sophomore year from a hard fought battle with cancer. Later that season, our team participated in Relay for Life. The proceeds were dedicated to the American Cancer Society in her honor. It truly made me proud to represents the Zips and witness how teammates support one another and the community at the same time.
What is your personal success story?
Swimming at Akron is a success story in its own right. I never thought I would have an opportunity to swim at a division one college. After a breakthrough season in high school, dreams started to become realities and I was getting offers from division one schools. Swimming at Akron was a dream come true. I held many times on the top 10 all-time list. I am most proud of being named the Swimming Student-Athlete of the year in 2012. But above all, wearing and representing the Zips logo will forever be a defining moment for me.
What is it that you have learned from being a student-athlete at Akron that you will use throughout your life after graduation?
I have learned perseverance and how to push through when things were tough. I learned grit and how to give it everything I had at all times. I learned how to be a teammate and to be positive and support others. I learned how to enjoy success for everyone.
How has being a student-athlete at Akron aided in your personal development?
Being a student-athlete at the University of Akron aided my personal development by teaching me leadership skills. It taught me how to see the positive in situations, how to be empathetic towards others, and how to motivate others to reach their highest potential.
Being a student-athlete requires a lot of time management. How have you learned to do so?
I often hear, "you are the busiest person I know." I think because I have never known any different, I continue to be involved in the community and my job. Learning time management as a student-athlete has prepared me to have a career, be involved in sports, give back to my community, and make my family a priority.
What is your view on the difference between playing and competing?
Playing to me is a way of participating and enjoying the moment. Competing is results oriented.
Being a student-athlete has high physical demands, but also requires mental toughness as well. What have you done to develop both?
I've learned to lean on others for support and to be available for when others may need help. I've learned that self-control and determination are critical for success in all aspects of life.
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.
Meghan Bowling (2009-12, women's swimming and diving)
What makes you most proud to be a Zip?
My education at Akron was phenomenal. I was definitely prepared to enter the workforce. From my time as a student-athlete, I was well prepared to meet the time constraints of a busy life style. I love when people ask me about my time at Akron. From the relationships amongst my teammates and classmates, to the opportunities afforded to me by the coaches, it was definitely a defining time in my life.
How are you and your family doing during this time?
We are doing well. We have been making it a priority to stay in touch and see each other when we can with social distancing of course.
Any messages of hope or inspiration for fellow Zips out there during our current stay-at-home orders?
Things may be challenging right now, but this is going to pass. We are going to be better from it. We will appreciate everything so much more when it comes back. Our time with family and friends will be so valued.
Do you have any work from home tips that you have learned while quarantined?
Take a break. It's a lot to be engaged in technology all day. Sometimes putting it away and going outside is all you need. You don't have to be perfect right now.
What is your current job, title, ect. that are keeping you busy these days?
I currently teach seventh grade language arts in a middle school in Cincinnati. I also coach high school swimming and summer club swimming.
What was/were the deciding factors(s) that brought you to Akron?
The beauty of the campus, the quality education, the kindness of my teammates and coaches, the athletic facilities, the community
What was/were your first impression(s) of Akron?
I could tell right away that Akron was a family. The commitment to students was evident. The university prioritized a well-rounded student-athlete experience. The supports were immense. The facilities were beautiful.
What makes being a student-athlete at Akron unique?
I really enjoyed being part of the community. The camaraderie between athletes of all teams was unique. My best friends are from the team. Sharing the experience with my teammates made us really understand one another.
What are your favorite memories on court, field, etc.?
My favorite memory is swimming in the MAC championship at Akron my senior year. In swimming at a taper meet, everyone is always nervous about how the results are going to come in. I was the first on our team to swim an individual event. I had already made up my mind that things were going to go well and I was going to enjoy every moment. When I finished my race, all of my teammates and coaches were crying. At that moment, I didn't understand what the tears were for as I was happy, but later I understood that it was because they had gone through the entire journey with me up until that point.
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 mom passed away my sophomore year from a hard fought battle with cancer. Later that season, our team participated in Relay for Life. The proceeds were dedicated to the American Cancer Society in her honor. It truly made me proud to represents the Zips and witness how teammates support one another and the community at the same time.
What is your personal success story?
Swimming at Akron is a success story in its own right. I never thought I would have an opportunity to swim at a division one college. After a breakthrough season in high school, dreams started to become realities and I was getting offers from division one schools. Swimming at Akron was a dream come true. I held many times on the top 10 all-time list. I am most proud of being named the Swimming Student-Athlete of the year in 2012. But above all, wearing and representing the Zips logo will forever be a defining moment for me.
What is it that you have learned from being a student-athlete at Akron that you will use throughout your life after graduation?
I have learned perseverance and how to push through when things were tough. I learned grit and how to give it everything I had at all times. I learned how to be a teammate and to be positive and support others. I learned how to enjoy success for everyone.
How has being a student-athlete at Akron aided in your personal development?
Being a student-athlete at the University of Akron aided my personal development by teaching me leadership skills. It taught me how to see the positive in situations, how to be empathetic towards others, and how to motivate others to reach their highest potential.
Being a student-athlete requires a lot of time management. How have you learned to do so?
I often hear, "you are the busiest person I know." I think because I have never known any different, I continue to be involved in the community and my job. Learning time management as a student-athlete has prepared me to have a career, be involved in sports, give back to my community, and make my family a priority.
What is your view on the difference between playing and competing?
Playing to me is a way of participating and enjoying the moment. Competing is results oriented.
Being a student-athlete has high physical demands, but also requires mental toughness as well. What have you done to develop both?
I've learned to lean on others for support and to be available for when others may need help. I've learned that self-control and determination are critical for success in all aspects of life.
