Alumni Spotlight: Alysa Horn

Alumni Spotlight: Alysa Horn

B.S. Physical Education '13

Hometown: Kodiak, Alaska

Fun Fact: Played hoops for the Seawolves for four years and hopes to eventually play professionally in Germany.

Alysa has been on the basketball court since the age of 8, and coming to play ball for UAA was a natural choice for this lifelong Alaskan. "UAA has a really good basketball program and it's close to home," Alysa says. And coming from the small, isolated town of Kodiak, she knew she'd have some serious support from her community. "It's cool to have your whole hometown behind you."

The 6-foot forward has made her mark both on the court and in the classroom during her time at UAA. Alysa explains that playing forward means that she picks up a lot of the "dirty work" on the court. "I take a lot of hits," she says with a smile, "but it makes me tougher." She was named to the GNAC All-Conference Team for the second time in her career in 2012-2013, and also made the GNAC All-Academic Team for the third time with her 3.67 overall GPA.

Some of her best memories from UAA are from on the court. Highlights include winning the West Region last year and making a comeback over rival Seattle Pacific University the year before, being down 19 points at halftime but coming back and taking the win in the second half. "The crowd went wild," Alysa remembers.

Being an athlete and a student simultaneously isn't for everyone, but Alysa has managed to balance her dual responsibilities quite well. She's grateful for the sisterhood of teammates that have been with her along the way. "You go into practice knowing that you're going to sweat and bleed together," she says. "And like any family, you fight, but at the end of the day, you love each other and have each other's backs."

Her drive to succeed is unwavering, and she also credits mandatory study hall and understanding professors as important contributors to her successful student-athlete career. "Education is a very valuable thing," Alysa says. "If you understand that and pursue it, getting good grades is just a byproduct."

Having grown up in Alaska, Alysa is no stranger to playing outside. Some of her favorite activities include kayaking, hiking, backcountry snowboarding and, in general, staying fit. "I grew up appreciating the outdoors and fitness has always been a part of my life," says Alysa, who chose a major in physical education with minors in nutrition and athletic training.

Through her studies, Alysa has realized the overwhelming epidemic of childhood obesity and it's her career goal to be a part of a solution. "I want to help overweight kids," she says. This summer Alysa will intern with Wellspring Camps, a weight loss and fitness camp in California.

After her internship wraps this fall, Alysa hopes to be on her way to Germany to play basketball professionally in Europe. Someday, maybe, she'll get another degree in nutrition. One thing's for sure, though: you can always count on Alysa to try something new. "There's not really a lot I don't like doing," she says. Her most recent hobbies include rock climbing and cross-country skiing. "I'm always game for anything new, really."

As an alumna, Alysa is looking forward to playing in an alumni game in the new Alaska Airlines Center after it opens in August 2014.