By Katlin Sweeney

Staff Writer

Business, psychology and sports may not seem like the most natural combination, but they are the key factors behind why Dani Porter is such a unique individual.

An avid soccer player since the time she was four-years-old, Porter was recruited during her junior year of high school to play for CSUSM. Since then, she has been actively involved in building relationships with her teammates and refining her soccer skills.

After tearing her meniscus in both knees during her sophomore year at CSUSM, Porter had to be redshirted for a year before she could join her teammates on the field. Due to the fact that there are 36 girls on the team and 11 players on the field at a time, Porter expressed that getting playing time requires going hard in every practice and showing improvement from week to week.

The Women’s Soccer co-captain challenges herself on the field and in the classroom, evident in her dedication to the team and her classes. Porter has developed a bond with her teammates, as well as an appreciation for the hard work it takes for all of them to be at the top of their game.

Porter’s academic goals reflect her go-getter personality; deciding to double major is part of what keeps her constantly on the move. Majoring in Business and Psychology may seem like an odd decision, but in her case, it makes complete sense.

“My biggest influence is my dad, since he double majored in college. I decided that I wanted to do that as well. I want to get into sports psychology, seeing as I am an athlete. But I feel like knowing about business will help me also, so I want to put two and two together and combine all of my favorite things,” Porter said.

Part of the reason she is so successful is because Porter carefully structures her school schedule based upon when she has obligations to athletics. Playing soccer at CSUSM requires a keen sense of organization, athletes having to take into account the demands of game and practice schedules during the fall and conditioning during the spring. Taking four classes in-season, five classes in the spring and utilizing the occasional winter session course has helped construct a sense of balance in Porter’s life, which the busy athlete is extremely proud of.

“I don’t really stress out about my schedule. I feel like the more things I have going on, the more organized I am,” Porter said.

Being well-rounded and passionate about all of her endeavors is what allows Porter to maintain such a busy lifestyle without getting stressed out.

“I want to dip my feet in everything. I feel like the more you know about different things, the more you know about the world,” Porter said.