Featured Senior: Fionn Fortune

What was your most memorable moment throughout your career at Willamette?

One moment that stands out was beating both Whitworth and Whitman away this fall. That is always one of the hardest weekends of the season and to come away with two wins was very special because we had never done that before. It was such a team effort to win both games in overtime.

Describe your feelings when you found out the athletic events were canceled for the remainder of the year.

I was very sad for all the student-athletes. My heart goes out to all of the spring athletes who didn't know their last game and practice were the last of the season, and to the seniors who didn't know it was the last of their careers. I was looking forward to supporting all of our teams and cheering on my teammates who are dual-sport athletes. Everyone works so hard all year and it's sad to see many not get the opportunity to see all their work pay off right now.

How have you been handling life in quarantine? Are you home or on campus? What's it like learning online and not being around your teammates?

It's definitely been an adjustment. I am still on campus and preparing to eventually drive back home to the East Coast. Learning online is a bit strange. It is weird to be living on campus right now but not going to my usual classrooms for class. It is hard not being around my teammates, but they still find ways to make me laugh every day, even from a distance.

What has your experience as a Bearcat taught you?

My experience as a Bearcat has taught me how to be a good teammate. My teammates are some of the best people I know, and they have taught me how to be kind, supportive, and resilient.

If you could leave one piece of advice for future Bearcats, what would it be?

One piece of advice I would give to future Bearcat student-athletes is embrace your role on your team. Everyone has a contribution to make, and what that looks like for each player can change season by season. College athletics is about so much more than playing time, and often some of the most important players on the team might not be the ones who start and play the whole game.

What are your future plans following graduation?

I will be serving with AmeriCorps starting this August as a K-3 literacy tutor for the Literacy Lab in Washington, DC. I am also planning to apply to graduate schools this fall for Psychology and study Child and Family Therapy.

From their teammates

What was your most memorable moment of Fionn?

Caroline Adams: When she impersonated Rob in one of the soccer skits!! I laughed so hard.

How has Fionn impacted you in your sport or in life?

What makes Fionn special?

Caroline Adams: Fionn is such a kind person. She really does care for everyone on the team, and you can see that.

Jackie Gilroy: Fionn is very kind-hearted. She checked up on me often, and she was always positive with me on the field. She is down-to-earth, and she is confident in who she is.