Why I Chose Carthage

Scott McNeills, '17

Basketball
Hometown: Downers Grove, Ill.
Position: Forward
Major: Finance
How did you discover Carthage?
"My sister goes to Marquette and a few people from my high school went to school here [Carthage]. It was very late in the recruiting process that I took a look at Carthage. I had only heard good things from my friends and sister."
Why did you choose Carthage?
"The new feeling of the campus and location was enough to make me strongly consider coming here and the basketball program helped me know for certain. Also, it was far enough away from home to get me away but close enough where I could still see my family. And last, so many DIII schools I looked at were schools where no one stayed on campus over the weekends. But as it [was] in many ways, Carthage was an exception."
What have been some of your favorite memories from participating in athletics at Carthage?
"The school is so small that you are forced to make good friends with your teammates. Some of the best memories have been off the court and over the breaks when no one else is on campus except your teammates, and that's when we really came together as a team. Which makes games where we beat ranked teams or whatever the case may be, that much more fun."

McKenzie Parks, '16
Women's Golf
Hometown: Oregon, Wis.
Major: Healthcare Administration (Self-Designed)
How did you discover Carthage?
"I didn't find Carthage, Carthage actually found me! I received information about Carthage in the mail, and was also contacted by the Women's Golf Coach. He came to watch me play and invited me for a visit, so I went during the summer prior to my senior year of high school. When I visited, I was very impressed with a lot of aspects about Carthage, and this left me with a tough decision to make. I was deciding between Carthage, a college down south, and a school in Chicago. I eventually chose the school in Chicago, and signed a National Letter of Intent to play Division 1 golf. After I started school in Chicago, I quickly came to regret my decision, and knew I wanted to transfer to Carthage. I called Tyler, the current Women's Golf Coach, and told him I was coming. I was welcomed with open arms!"
Why did you choose Carthage?
"As soon as I stepped onto Carthage's campus, I knew it was a place I could call home for 4 years. Carthage has small class sizes, which was really important to me as a student-athlete. I sometimes have to miss class for golf, and I need to have a relationship with my professors where I can approach them for extra help in these situations. I knew I didn't want to go to a college where I would feel like just a number. Another reason I chose Carthage is because of the campus, which is the perfect size and is nothing short of beautiful!"
What are some of your favorite memories from participating in athletics at Carthage?
"I have a lot of memories I have made with my teammates and coaches but a few stick out more than others. When I first arrived at Carthage, I was educated on the rivalry our team has with Illinois Wesleyan. Their women's golf team has taken the CCIW Conference Title the past 11 years. We made it our goal to beat them and win Conference for the first time in over a decade, which we accomplished!! By the second day of the conference tournament, we were leading the field by 20 strokes. When we won, it was so surreal! We were very emotional and just so eager to compete at Nationals, which was also another one of my favorite Carthage golf memories. The week in Florida was the most golf we had played all year. It was very rewarding to represent the CCIW and our school at the most prestigious tournament of the year. We were very pleased with the way we played and how we placed 10th in the 20 team field. My favorite Carthage athletics memories would not have been possible without my teammates, whom I truly value for their friendships on and off the course!"