Scarlet Knights Become Scarlet Grads

Sunday, May 18 marks another Rutgers University Commencement Ceremony, the 259th anniversary for the State University of New Jersey. It is the culmination of personal milestones, academic achievements and for a group of Scarlet Knights, the end of their collegiate athletic careers.

Several graduating members of the Class of 2025 reflected on their experiences representing Rutgers Athletics and how their time ‘On the Banks’ has forever shaped them.

Once a Scarlet Knight, Always a Scarlet Knight!

Nico Morales
Track and Field (Pole Vault)
Major: Criminal Justice & Political Science

Why Rutgers: Rutgers had all of my academic and athletic needs!

Greatest Rutgers memory: My greatest memories at Rutgers are the ones created by spending time with my teammates in practice, at meets, and outside of practice.

As a graduate, what is something you would tell your freshman self: 1) Academically, find what you are passionate about, not only what interests you. 2) Athletically, things will not always go the way that you dream them up - take that with grace and patience and work hard each day and you'll reap that reward!

What advice would you give to future Scarlet Knights: College goes by twice as fast as high school, take it seriously and work hard from the start!

What will you miss the most about your time at Rutgers: The experience of college athletics. It's a blessing that my biggest worry over the last five years has been: "How high will I pole vault at my next competition?" while training/competing with my best friends. 

Future career aspirations: To continue track and field post college and to find a career within coaching, sports performance, or strength and conditioning.

Victoria Grieder
Women's Rowing
Major: Public Health

Why Rutgers: When I was going through the recruiting process as a coxswain, I expressed my "reach goal" aspirations when continuing to the collegiate level, and the Rutgers coaching staff stood out to me as they believed in me from the start and made me feel I could compete at an elite level if I put the work in. 

Rutgers was everything I was looking for in a university. I wanted to go to a big state school with a ton of school pride, be on a welcoming and competitive rowing team that competed at the NCAA Championships, enter an academic space where I could excel in health sciences, and have opportunities to grow professionally in healthcare. 

Greatest Rutgers memory: It is so hard to pick one!! I would say some of my most special memories have come from this past year as I have been inspired daily by my teammates' drive and work ethic; my head coach in the past has said a quote along the lines of "We are just ordinary people that can accomplish extraordinary things together" which I think embodies the memories we have built in my senior season at Rutgers. 

As a graduate, what is something you would tell your freshman self: Keep controlling what you can control, be in the moment, and have fun!! Even when tough times come, you will be stronger on the other side. 

What advice would you give to future Scarlet Knights: Rutgers is the place to be! Take advantage of the opportunities, and be where your feet are. We have a great network of people here at Rutgers academically, professionally, and athletically, so as high as you want to set your goals, there are people to support you to achieve them. 

What will you miss the most about your time at Rutgers: I am so grateful for how much I have grown at Rutgers, and I will miss being around this passionate community. I always respected how engaged my classmates would be in deepening the conversations through coursework and athletically being around teammates, where it was cool to be all in and truly put it on the line to achieve our goals. I have met many incredible people and grown so much in the past four years. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity.

Future career aspirations: I am excited to enter research coordinating and clinical operation roles and further my education around artificial intelligence management in healthcare spaces!

Kassidy Banks
Women's Soccer
Major: Exercise Science

Why Rutgers: Because I wanted to stay close to home, where my family could be there to support me at every game. I also knew that Rutgers would provide me with a good education while also allowing me to compete at a high level.

Greatest Rutgers Memory: Winning the Big Ten semifinals. We came in as the underdogs, but we never gave up and fought until the very end. Celebrating that moment with my teammates is a feeling that I'll never forget.

As a graduate, what is something you would tell your freshman self: Cherish every moment and never take anything for granted, because it will go by faster than you think. Make sure to live in the moment and say yes to every opportunity that comes your way.

What advice would you give to future Scarlet Knights: Take full advantage of the resources available to you. There are so many people at Rutgers who want to help you succeed. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and explore all that the university has to offer.

What will you miss the most about your time at Rutgers: My teammates. They were my family for four years, and we experienced both highs and lows together. No matter what, we always stuck by each other and made the most out of every situation.

Future career aspirations: Apply to graduate school to become a physician assistant, specializing in sports medicine.

Reggie Sutton
Football
Major: Labor Studies and Employment Relations

Greatest Rutgers Memory: When I think about my time at Rutgers, two memories stand out. The first, being when I finally was able to come back to play after recovering and rehabbing for two years. The next was in the same season when we ultimately won the Pinstripe Bowl. It was my first time playing in a bowl game and to win it after everything that I had gone through and achieved that year made it more special. 

As a graduate, what is something you would tell your freshman self: I would definitely tell myself to appreciate the little moments that go by and don't always focus on the big picture because the little things will be the stuff that you miss the most as time goes on.

What advice would you give to future Scarlet Knights: Find time to explore what you like and what interests you outside of sports. Not everybody will make it professionally and although it is unfortunate your life will continue, and you should take this time to connect with as many people as possible while you are in a position of visibility.

What will you miss the most about your time at Rutgers: I will miss the people the most. Playing the game was great and something I will always cherish, but it's the people that made the hardest days feel lighter and fun that I will miss especially.

Future Career Aspirations: Sports pundit or Digital Marketing Specialist

Lucrezia Rossettin
Women’s Golf
Major: Masters of Health Administration

Why Rutgers: It is a big school with great academic programs, incredible athletic facilities and resources, and many other things to do.

Greatest Rutgers memory: Traveling from state to state, and coast to coast competing with my team, and all the ice cream stops in between.

As a graduate, what is something you would tell your freshman self: Write down your dreams and goals, bring them with you, and do not let go of them even when things become challenging. 

What advice would you give to future Scarlet Knights: Listen to your older teammates and do not be afraid to reach out because they will always be available to help and support you.

What will you miss the most about your time at Rutgers: My team and my coaches that have now become my lifetime friends. I will cherish our time together forever.

Future career aspirations: Finish my master’s degree and hopefully one day be in charge of a hospital.

Joey Zalinsky 
Men’s Soccer
Major: Labor Studies and Employment Relations 

Why Rutgers: I chose Rutgers so my family could come to my games but also be able to make history in my home state.

Greatest Rutgers memory: Was definitely winning the Big Ten Tournament my sophomore year.

As a graduate, what is something you would tell your freshman self: Don’t stress out about balancing the school work and sports, there are people who help out tremendously and I thought I would have to do it by myself. 

What advice would you give to future Scarlet Knights: Enjoy every minute of it because it goes by very fast. 

What will you miss the most about your time at Rutgers: The relationships I have built throughout my time here.

Future career aspirations: Luckily, I am fulfilling my dream career right now which is playing in the MLS for St. Louis City. 

Alissa Kinkela
Volleyball
Major: Labor Studies & Employment Relations/Human Resource Management 

What is something you would tell your freshman self: Embrace change but always stay true to yourself. You will see and experience new things and that is great but never let it change for who you truly are.

What advice would you give to a future Scarlet Knight: There is always light at the end of a tunnel. No matter how hard things may get, everything works out.

What will you miss the most about your time at Rutgers: What I will miss is seeing my teammates and going on little side quests with them. Also, definitely the food and being so close to New York. I cannot find a decent bagel here in Melbourne.

Future career aspirations: Being a professional volleyball player

Minchae Kim
Women’s Tennis
Major: Supply Chain Management

Why Rutgers: I chose Rutgers because of its strong athletic conference and the great connection I had with my head coach. I was also drawn to the university’s diversity and its ideal location near New York City.

Greatest Rutgers Memory: Our trip to California in the spring of 2025. That was my last weekend of competing for this team. I was very fortunate to play at amazing schools like USC and UCLA. It felt like a dream being in LA playing on their courts together with the people I love the most. Even though we didn’t get the results we wanted, it was an honor to play for this team and university one last time in LA.

As a graduate, what is something you would tell your freshman self: Be present and enjoy the experience, embrace discomfort as an opportunity to grow, give 100% in everything you do each day and always remember to be grateful.

What advice would you give to future Scarlet Knights: Enjoy your journey. Rutgers has so much to offer with countless opportunities. I want to emphasize the importance of building community and forming lifelong friendships at Rutgers. One of the best parts of being a Scarlet Knight is connecting with people from all walks of life. Whether it’s through athletics or classes, these relationships can become your support system and some of your closest lifelong friends. 

What will you miss the most about your time at Rutgers: Seeing my closest friends every day and sharing life with them — from the little everyday moments to the big wins. Rutgers Athletics has given me lifelong friendships and an experience I’ll cherish forever. Being able to do what I love most — playing tennis — alongside my closest friends and with the support of incredible coaches and staff has truly been the greatest blessing.

Future career aspirations: Are centered around finding peace with who I am outside of my sport. I want to explore my passions beyond athletics, pursue a meaningful path that excites me and share this journey with my closest friends and family. More than anything, being happy is the most important aspiration for me. 

Chyna Cornwell
Women’s Basketball
Major: Masters in Global Sports Business

Why Rutgers: Women’s Basketball Culture, Academic Excellence, Overall Environment.

Greatest Rutgers Memory: Homecoming Fall 2021, Big Ten Tournament 2023, Foreign Tour to Greece and Croatia.

As a Graduate what is something you would tell your freshman self: Don’t stress, enjoy the ride and soak in everything. You’re blessed.

What advice would give to future Scarlet Knight: Appreciate everything, every opportunity, every moment. Preparation is key to success, so make sure you prepare for each step you take throughout your journey in college, academically and athletically.

What will you miss most about your time at Rutgers: I’ll definitely miss the environment in general, the journey to accomplishing the little things and big things at this university. The people, the athletic events, the laughs and smiles. Also being able to hoop in the best arena in the country.

Future Career Aspirations: Playing Professionally Overseas and in the WNBA, becoming a coach down the line, staying in the sports world as long as possible. I would also be interested in sports broadcasting, play by play, game analysis or even on the operations side of basketball. Also expand my knowledge and try different sports too.

Tommy Mendyke
Men's Lacrosse
Major: Marketing

Why Rutgers: Rutgers gave me a chance that no one else did – to pursue a great education and play the sport I love at a high level.

Greatest Rutgers memory: Beating Maryland at home for the first time in 45 years, and the first time as a Big Ten program. 

As a graduate, what is something you would tell your freshman self: Everything works out. Nothing you feared was truly something to worry about. College sports are incredibly challenging, but it is the most rewarding experience of your life.

What advice would you give to future Scarlet Knights? Dive into everything. You have four years to build as good a resume as you can and have as many meaningful relationships as possible. Being a freshman is the greatest time to meet other team members and create connections.

What will you miss the most about your time at Rutgers? Being surrounded by my teammates. I love lacrosse, but my time at Rutgers was special because of the people I was with. Never again will I be around 50 of my closest friends every day, and I will cherish those times forever.

Future career aspirations: Have a successful sales career.

Halé Oal
Swimming and Diving
Major: Political Science

Why Rutgers: I chose Rutgers because of how welcoming and genuinely kind everyone was on my visit.

Greatest Rutgers Memory: Going to the first football game of the season. It's so nice to enjoy the warm weather and to see friends I hadn't seen all summer.

What is something you would tell your freshman self: Branch out and try new things. Some of the best decisions I made throughout college was to have different extracurriculars that allowed me to make new friends.

What advice would you give to a future Scarlet Knight: Take advantage of all the fun activities Rutgers has around campus year-round. These events are great to go to with friends!

What will you miss the most about your time at Rutgers: Seeing my teammates everyday. They truly became my second family and I can't imagine a year where I don't get to train with them.

Future career aspirations: Work in environmental policy and sustainability. Although I'd like to do international work, I hope to also have opportunities in the U.S.

Paulina Niklaus
Field Hockey 
Major: Labor Studies and Employment Relations

Why Rutgers: Because of the environment and the people.

Greatest Rutgers memory: Winning the Big Apple Indoor Tournament and the California trip in my first season.

As a graduate, what is something you would tell your freshman self: Enjoy every moment, the experience you get at college is very unique and special.

What advice would you give to future Scarlet Knights: Use the support system around you, don’t hesitate to ask questions. It is really helpful for your future as well as during your time at Rutgers.

What will you miss the most about your time at Rutgers: I will miss my teammates and the professional environment, while playing the sport I love the most.

Future career aspirations: I am planning to continue playing hockey in different countries. For my career I am interested in combining my major of Labor Relations with Psychology.

Noah Kumar
Men’s Golf
Major: Management and Labor Relations

Why Rutgers: I love the balance between school and athletics. That was important to me, and Rutgers emphasizes that.

As a graduate, what is something you would tell your freshman self:  Trust your gut.

What advice would you give to future Scarlet Knights:  The best way to be successful as a student-athlete is to manage your time well to help you stay on top of things.

Greatest Rutgers memory: The road trips with my teammates.

What will you miss most about your time at Rutgers: My relationships with my teammates!

Future career aspirations: I want to become a professional golfer.

Zach Martini
Men’s Basketball
Major: Masters of Financial Analysis

Why Rutgers: I wanted to get my master’s from the Rutgers business school and I trusted in Coach Pikiell’s vision for our season. I wanted to play basketball for the State of New Jersey.

Greatest Rutgers memory: Beating Seton Hall at home on a buzzer-beater from New Jersey’s own Dylan Harper.

As a graduate, what is something you would tell your freshman self: Trust your work ethic.

What advice would you give to future Scarlet Knights: Try to absorb as much as possible in your time here. There are a lot of great people in athletics and academics that can teach you a lot about life in sports and life after sports.

What will you miss the most about your time at Rutgers: I love the food on the second floor of the APC. There are such great people who prepared our food all season and I will miss the conversations over meals with my teammates.

Future career aspirations: I either want to work on Wall Street, play professional basketball, make movies or work on the business side of athletics.