Alumni return to share recruiting insights
Former Tiger athletes Mahoney Daunic ’24 and Cameron Wooten ’23 explained the athletic recruiting process with student-athletes during a recent virtual lunch and learn in Payne Library Room.
By Ian Dinkins, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
University School of Nashville students had the opportunity to hear firsthand from alumni competing at the collegiate level about their experiences with the college recruiting process. The event, a joint effort between Athletics and the Office of College Counseling, brought together Mahoney Daunic ’24 and Cameron Wooten ’23 to share valuable insights and advice for aspiring college athletes.
For many high school athletes, the path to competing at the college level can feel overwhelming and confusing. The lunch and learn session provided a platform for USN’s student-athletes to engage directly with alumni who have navigated the recruiting process successfully in the last couple of years.
“We want to see the number of students who go through the recruiting process continue climbing,” said Aaron Fulk, Director of College Counseling at USN.
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University School of Nashville students had the opportunity to hear firsthand from alumni competing at the collegiate level about their experiences with the college recruiting process. The event, a joint effort between Athletics and the Office of College Counseling, brought together Mahoney Daunic ’24 and Cameron Wooten ’23 to share valuable insights and advice for aspiring college athletes.
For many high school athletes, the path to competing at the college level can feel overwhelming and confusing. The lunch and learn session provided a platform for USN’s student-athletes to engage directly with alumni who have navigated the recruiting process successfully in the last couple of years.
“We want to see the number of students who go through the recruiting process continue climbing,” said Aaron Fulk, Director of College Counseling at USN.
With five students already committing to college sports this school year, the message was clear: USN athletes are finding success at the next level, and the school is committed to supporting that growth.
One of the key takeaways from the session was the importance of persistence and preparation in the recruiting process. Cameron Wooten ’23, now a sophomore playing soccer at Ithaca College, reflected on the early stages of his recruitment. “I was encouraged to remain persistent in reaching out to coaches,” he advised. Wooten also emphasized the importance of finding a balance between academics and athletics.
“I wanted to go to school and play soccer, not go to school just for soccer,” he shared. His words resonated with students, reminding them that while college athletics can be a rewarding experience, it should complement a well-rounded college life.
Mahoney Daunic ’24, beginning his freshman year playing baseball at Denison University, echoed Wooten’s advice and urged student-athletes to build their workout routines early in their high school careers.
“I’d encourage all of the athletes in the room to start your workout routines early in your career. It pays off,” he said. Daunic's experience also highlighted the significance of teamwork and camaraderie. “The social aspect of having a team to go through everything with is something I truly enjoy,” he said, reflecting on the bond he shares with his teammates.
The event also offered students a realistic look at both the rewards and challenges of being a college athlete. Students asked Wooten and Daunic about their experiences managing the demands of academics and athletics.
Wooten shared that college athletics can be very structured, which he sees as a positive. “The structure of college athletics is something I really appreciate,” he said, adding that it helps him manage his time effectively.
However, Wooten was also candid about the challenges, particularly when it comes to managing stress.
“It’s a job, and it’s difficult,” he said, acknowledging that balancing sports, school, and social life can be stressful.
“As you get more comfortable, the stress goes down because you have friends and teammates that are with you throughout the process,” Daunic shared, offering a hopeful perspective for students who might feel apprehensive about the balancing act required in college athletics.
For students interested in pursuing athletics at the college level, Fulk encouraged them first to identify their “why.” Understanding the underlying motivation for wanting to play at the collegiate level can help athletes stay focused and committed throughout the process.
“If you understand your ‘why,’ it will make it easier to navigate the ups and downs of recruiting and college athletics,” Fulk said.
The lunch and learn event helped student-athletes better understand the college recruiting process and offered practical advice on how to prepare for success. As the school continues to see an increase in the number of students committing to college athletics, events like these serve as valuable resources for young athletes eager to take the next step in their careers.
With alumni like Wooten and Daunic paving the way, the future looks bright for USN’s student-athletes, and their journey toward collegiate sports is just beginning.
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Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.