Four Michigan Ross Athletes Leading On the Field and in the Classroom

Michigan Ross students have always been part of the University of Michigan’s rich athletics tradition, which has brought exciting opportunities to students across majors and disciplines since 1865. Over the years, U-M athletes have brought home more than 50 national championships in 12 different sports, all while studying for their degrees and building professional experience and relationships at the same time.

To find out what it’s like to balance the rigorous curriculum of a Ross master’s program with the demanding schedule of an athlete, we asked four Michigan Ross student-athletes in our One-Year Master’s Programs to share their experiences so far.

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Aubrey Fitts

Rowing

Hometown
Winter Park, FL

Program
MBAn ’24

What's your post-graduation career interest?
I am interested in entering the technology space in a business development or project management role.

What's it like balancing being a Big Ten athlete and a business student at the same time?
Balancing these two responsibilities has been an exciting endeavor that also comes with challenges. Ross offers numerous opportunities for engaging in group projects, occasionally posing challenges in arranging meetings due to our training schedule. Yet, it has strengthened my ability to prioritize, manage my time, and communicate well with a wide range of individuals. With this busy season of going from one activity to the next, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to be plugged into different supportive communities.

What was the proudest moment in your athletic career so far?
The proudest moment in my athletic career thus far was the Big Ten Championship this past May. Our team was building and growing the whole year, and winning it all was going to be gritty (as it should be!). As a member of the Varsity 8 boat, which is last to race, we were not sure who had won it all when we crossed the line. Moments later, after the last race times were officially posted, we heard screams of joy and “Go Blue!” from land and knew we had captured the title.

How has the Michigan Ross community supported you as a student-athlete?
Representing U-M both as an athlete and a Ross student has been an honor. My undergraduate degree was also from Ross (BBA ‘23), and I was so excited to come back for one more year because of my positive experience. The Ross community is full of professors and peers that are always quick to support my athletic endeavors. I’ve also been able to form strong relationships through involvement in Ross student clubs. Being a member of a professional business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, as well as Michigan Advertising and Marketing, has shaped me into the student and athlete I am today.

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Hannah Grant

Volleyball

Hometown
Northville, MI – but for the first 10 years of my life, I moved every year. I bounced around the suburbs of Detroit, Chicago, Boston, and Orlando.  

Program
MM ’24

What's your post-graduation career interest?
I’m interested in the health and wellness industry in a consulting or management role.

What's it like balancing being a Big Ten athlete and a business student at the same time?
Being a Big Ten athlete and business student at the same time requires a lot of time management skills. Communication is huge when it comes to group projects, missing classes, and having to navigate all that you have going on. You really have to manage time wisely to accomplish all that you need to.

What was the proudest moment in your athletic career so far?
A few of my proudest moments in my athletic career are winning some Big Ten awards and being nominated as a captain the past couple of years by teammates. My overall proudest moments, though, have been the times when I have seen younger players develop and do well on the court. I just love knowing I played a part in that as well.

How has the Michigan Ross community supported you as a student-athlete?
The Michigan Ross community has been super understanding of all that I have on my plate. I feel they have respected how much I have going on and are super accommodating and really work with you as an individual who has a lot of priorities and commitments to attend to.  

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Caden Kolesar

Football

Hometown
Westlake, OH

Program
MM ’24

What's your post-graduation career interest?
My post-grad interest is pretty broad right now. I am unsure of what exactly I want to do and excited to be exposed to as many industries as I can during my time at Ross. So far, I am interested in wealth management, marketing, brand management, and real estate.

What's it like balancing being a Big Ten athlete and a business student at the same time?
Balancing being a Big Ten athlete and a business student at the same time is all about time management and knowing what your priorities should be. There are definite sacrifices that you have to make, mostly social sacrifices, but I still find enough time to have fun at U-M and enjoy myself. Your priorities have to be in check because if they are not, then either your performance in athletics or academics will decline. So, it’s just all about knowing what matters and knowing that the sacrifices you make today will benefit you in the future.

What was the proudest moment in your athletic career so far?
The proudest moment in my athletic career so far is beating the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2021. That whole day was surreal and one of the coolest moments/best days of my life. Being from Ohio, the rivalry against Ohio State means so much, and my main goal when coming to Michigan was to beat Ohio State and help end the losing streak.

How has the Michigan Ross community supported you as a student-athlete?
In my short time at Ross, it is apparent that everyone is extremely accommodating and respectful of my commitments as a student-athlete. The professors and leaders of the MM program have been gracious in allowing me to be flexible with my busy schedule.

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Catherine Visscher

Track

Hometown
Livonia, MI

Program
MBAn ’24

What's your post-graduation career interest?
I initially thought I wanted to focus on the intersection between supply chain and manufacturing, but as I learn more in the program, I am also interested in something related to process engineering and optimization. As for industry, I am interested in energy and consumer goods.

What's it like balancing being a Big Ten athlete and a business student at the same time?
So far, it hasn't been too stressful, but I am definitely thankful for my coaches’ flexibility and understanding of the schedule conflicts that come with some of our class times. It also helps to have professors who are understanding and accommodating to the schedule of a student-athlete.

What was the proudest moment in your athletic career so far?
The proudest moment of my athletic career so far has definitely been being a member of the team that brought a Women's Track Big Ten Conference Title back to Ann Arbor for the first time in seven years. It was such an amazing experience, and I am happy I got to share it with my teammates who all just went above and beyond!

How has the Michigan Ross community supported you as a student-athlete?
I haven't had to use many resources yet because I am out of season, but when our season begins, I’m sure they'll help me figure out the best schedule/electives to take and when to take them to manage my academic and athletic workload.