Raley Snodgrass '21 Recruiting Profile

Raley Kate Snodgrass

Personal Statement

The field of Sports Psychology with a minor in Athletic Training has increasingly become my focus area of academic study.  I have been passionate about sports since I sat on the bench at age three while my mother coached a middle school girl’s basketball team.  At ages five and six, I competed with an all boys basketball team, then in fourth grade made the team at Caryville Elementary.  I have continued playing from that time through my high school years.  I’ve also furthered this love of basketball by playing for a travel AAU team for several years, and, now, I’m a part of an extremely competitive exposure AAU team that doesn’t take defeat lightly, and has pushed me beyond my own expectations. 

In addition to my passion for basketball, I am also interested in various sports and how psychological and physical factors affect both participation and performance in sport and exercise.  Sport psychology and athletic training teach the cognitive and behavioral strategies to athletes in order to improve their experience and performance in sports. I particularly am drawn to this field of study because July 2019, I had a torn ACL, torn meniscus, along with a strained MCL, so I know firsthand the mental and physical anguish of rehabilitating and overcoming a sports injury.  Also,  I have had the unique opportunity to job shadow, train, and assist our high school’s athletic trainer during football season. This opportunity, along with my personal injury, has allowed me to see the direct application of sports psychology and training at work with athletes, coaches, and parents regarding injury, rehabilitation, communication, and personal goal setting.

Apart from my sports involvement, I am currently maintaining a weighted GPA of 4.02 and am currently ranked 34/346 students. I am enrolled in a Dual Enrollment program at Campbell County High School and Roane State Community College.  I have enrolled and been academically successful in both Honors classes and my college courses. I am also a member of the National Beta Club Society, which is an honors fraternity.

My academic and sports background are only a part of who I am. I currently attend a local church where I am actively involved with the youth, and I am a co-leader for a young girl’s small group that meets weekly.  I have completed volunteer hours at our local library, as well as, job shadowing in a fifth grade classroom at Caryville Elementary. I have also been selected to be presented at the Knoxville Teen Board in August, 2020. Presentees are selected based on their academic performance as well as their contributions to their community. This is a very distinct honor being presented.

These experiences have allowed me to be directly exposed to opportunities and I have been very fortunate. Applying these experiences with the knowledge I would gain through studying my desired field, combined with my passion for playing basketball, is a very exciting prospect for me.