Each week throughout the fall, the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) highlights one of the conference members and feature two of the institution’s standout student-athletes. This week, NEAC shines the spotlight on SUNY Poly student-athletes Kiersten Albertson and Jeremiah Besse.

While emerging fields of study provide students with a number of unique opportunities, human connection is what has made this place feel like a good fit. After choosing to attend SUNY Poly as her second institution, Kiersten Albertson recognizes the difference those connections have made in her life.

After spending a year and a half at Castleton University, Albertson transferred to SUNY Poly in an effort to be closer to family and find a better fit. Making the jump to SUNY Poly allowed her to become involved in athletics again by playing soccer, softball and running for the cross country team. Albertson is a two-time NEAC All-Conference honoree and has been recognized as a NEAC Scholar Athlete twice. As her eligibility came to an end after this fall, the Kirkville, N.Y. native knows that her time as a Division III runner has affected her life the most.

“Cross country has taught me a lot about myself and how to challenge myself physically,” Albertson shared. “There are days where you don’t think you can do something physically and then you realize you can if you stop telling yourself you can’t.”

Albertson received her bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in December 2016 and is currently enrolled in the MBA program at SUNY Poly. While her future aspirations are not etched in stone, she knew that remaining at SUNY Poly as a graduate student would allow an opportunity to see her athletics career through to its end.

“I was looking at larger schools like Syracuse and Clarkson, but I decided to pursue my MBA at SUNY Poly since I could finish the program online if I got a job far from home,” Albertson added. “I also want to thank Kelly Colbert for working with me to figure out my eligibility. As a 23-year-old who is still playing a Division III sport, she spent countless hours with me and I am extremely grateful for that.”

A junior captain on the men’s soccer team, Jeremiah Besse felt that SUNY Poly provided the perfect balance of affordability, size, growing academic programs and athletic opportunities. Hailing from Delmar, N.Y., Besse serves as the defensive anchor of the Wildcats’ team and was a NEAC All-Conference First Team selection earlier this month. He is also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. While still undecided on his career path, the Mechanical Engineering major is a two-time NEAC Scholar Athlete and was the recipient of the SUNY Poly Wildcats Scholar-Athlete award in 2017 that recognizes the student-athlete with the highest grade-point average. Besse recognizes that being a Division III student-athlete comes with its challenges but it is worth it.

“We’re here because we love to compete and Division III athletics gives us that opportunity,” Besse said. “It can be a tough challenge to balance school, a social life, sleep and athletics. It is grueling and demanding sometimes, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world because it’s what I love to do.”

While many have supported her journey at SUNY Poly, for Albertson, one person stands out above the rest.

“If it weren’t for great people like Cross Country Head Coach Bill Tylutki, I don’t know that I would be in the position I am today,” Albertson reflected. “Coach Tylutki has been one of my most influential role models and I don’t know what I would do without his guidance.”

More than anything, Albertson and Besse emphasized how impactful the people at SUNY Poly have been during their collegiate career.

“The sense of community is one of the things I love about this campus,” Besse added. “No matter where you go on campus, there is always someone willing and able to help. The school’s smaller size helps to create a fantastic community where everyone is welcome.”

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