While Kaylie Ratzlaff wanted to play collegiate soccer, she needed to prioritize her education. “I wanted to make sure I could balance school first and soccer second,” she said. “Because I won’t be playing soccer my entire life, but I wanted to continue doing what I love as long as I can.”
The third-generation College of Saint Mary student was already considering CSM when Coach Jordan Irsik offered her a soccer scholarship. Both Kaylie’s mother, Danielle, and her grandmother, Kathleen, graduated from CSM in 1995 and 1966, respectively.
“I’m the only child, so my parents love watching me play soccer,” Kaylie said. “Given the opportunity that they get to watch me was just huge for us as a family.”
Kaylie visited the campus and met the soccer team as a junior in high school. She loved the team, the campus and the small class sizes. “It’s a great environment. The classroom setting – I can’t stress it enough – how personable it is to be talking to a professor and understanding the material,” she said. “It’s a great campus life. I haven’t lived on campus at all, but even as a commuter, I still feel the welcomeness of everyone.”
Since arriving at CSM, Kaylie has become a leader on the Flames soccer team.
“Kaylie is a presence on campus, and on our team in every way possible,” coach Jordan Irsik said. “Since her first day, she has been very driven to her goals, and it’s made her a leader on our team. She has grown incredibly as a person and player, and she’s truly a joy for me to coach. She has a magnetic, big personality to go with every other positive about her. Our program would not be the same without her, and I’m so thankful she has put in the time she has for our team.”
The 6-1 defender is now entering her fourth year, majoring in kinesiology and exercise science. “Kaylie has embraced this major since her freshman year, making a commitment to understanding human movement in her core classes,” said Dr. Andrew Shim, professor and director of the kinesiology and exercise science program.
The program was the perfect fit for Kaylie’s love of sports and her fascination with the human body. In high school. Kaylie participated in athletic training, giving her some background information. “I just loved how you can involve sports, sports medicine and help improve people doing what they love.”
Kaylie liked the structure of the kinesiology program. “It’s well done. It wasn’t just about education, it was also about my own personal goals,” she said. “It was about what you were wanting to do afterward on your own, personally and professionally.”
After receiving her undergraduate degree, Kaylie wants to enter CSM’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She also may play a fifth year of soccer, an option given to athletes due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The knowledge from her kinesiology and exercise science degree will help Kaylie as she heads into graduate school. “Her core KES classes, along with having hands-on research experience, will provide a solid foundation for being a physical therapist," Dr. Shim said.
Kaylie hopes to eventually help college athletes like herself.
In addition to soccer, Kaylie is a member of the Student-Athlete Leadership Team.
