International Playing Field

Three student athletes from three different nations travel to America to bolster Ball State’s roster. They have different talents and different cultures but come together to share their skills and diversify the playing field. These international athletes offer a closer look at their lives outside of the red and white uniforms.

By Elias Espinosa

Brooke MacGillivary | Field Hockey

Almost three years ago, junior Brooke MacGillivary accomplished one of her biggest goals. “My goal was always to play field hockey in the United States after high school,” MacGillivary says. She took her luggage and landed in Indiana with a lot of uncertainties but decided she was going to be open to new experiences. She knew that it was going to be different and difficult because she was leaving home and her family, but at the same time, she was excited to learn from other people and share who she is with others.

“I am excited to have new experiences and meet new people,” MacGillivary says. “This is something that is going to make me grow a lot.”

She considers herself to be a compassionate person. Her motivation and inspiration comes from her parents who have demonstrated that the only way for a person to accomplish her goals is with hard work.

“My parents are my inspiration. My mother works so hard to get promoted, and my father works very hard,” she says.

She is known for being competitive in all of her endeavors. Even though she feels this is not always good, it has helped her to excel in everything she wants to accomplish.

“Whatever you put in your mind can be accomplished,” MacGillivary says. She demonstrates this quality in the way she performs on the field. MacGillivary is a poised and controlled player. She is able to work well with her teammates and affect the game from her position mid-field. According to her teammates, this year she has been a great offensive and defensive threat to opponents.

After she graduates, she plans to go back to her hometown and continue her studies, but this time, she would like to remain close to her family, which she says is the most important part of her life.

Andres Monroy | Tennis

Freshman Andres Monroy still remembers the first phrase he heard from his coach when he arrived in Muncie, Ind.: “Welcome to the city where you are going to spend your next four years.” This is what made him realize that a new life was waiting for him.

Although Monroy is a freshman, he is already demonstrating his potential by playing as No. 4 for the Ball State University tennis team.

“He is a great player that will impact the team’s production in the next competitions,” sophomore Eduardo Pavia says.

As a business administration major, he would like to stay in the country to work for a sports organization where he can gain experience and accomplish his dreams.

“I want to be involved with sports. I want to help young people like me to come to the United States to accomplish their athletic, academic and professional goals,” Monroy says.

Coming from Mexico City, the second largest city in the world, he would like to live in a city like Chicago or Los Angeles. His friends love his joyful disposition and his personality.

“I enjoy being around Andres because his joy for life is contagious,” teammate Rafael De Pina says. His favorite quote is “winning is not important, it’s the only thing.”

“I apply this quote to everything I do,” he says. “ I do not like to do something without thinking of winning. If not, what is the purpose of doing it? He is very proud of being Mexican and hopes to leave a good impression of Mexico at Ball State.

“I would not change being Mexican for anything in life,” he says. “I love my food, people, family, language and territory. I make sure everyone knows through my actions how much I love my country. I cannot have something better than this,” he says. Andres has three more years at Ball State, and his teammates see a solid team in the future with him.

Bibiana Rodriguez| Gymnastics

Although junior Bibiana Rodriguez is young, she has had experiences that only few people could ever have.

“I am proud for having participated in very important international competitions,” she says. “I represented my country in the Central-American and Pan-American games where I competed against different countries from the American continent, including the U.S. gymnastics team.”

She came to Ball State about three years ago and became a crucial member of the team.

“[Rodriguez is] a very strong competitor especially on the uneven bars,” assistant coach Katie Malott says. “She brings a lot of fun and joy to the team, and it is a pleasure to coach her. With her unique creative leadership style, she will be a huge asset in taking the team to the next level.”

Her friendly personality has benefitted the team.

“She is one of the most honest people I know which, in turn, makes her a good leader. Everyone respects her, and when she has something to say, people listen,” senior Teresa Phipps says.

She would like to become an elementary school teacher, and her main goal is to work with children who do not speak English as their first language. From her own experience, she understands how difficult it is to be in a country that speaks a language different from her own.

“My fourth grade teacher is my inspiration,” Rodriguez says. “She gave me so much love and care, and that is what I would love to give back to my future students.” As a passionate and strong person, she relates gymnastics with real life.

“In gymnastics you fall and sometimes it hurts, but you have to get up and do it again,” she says. “In life, not everything goes well; you fall and you have to get up and continue forward.” Rodriguez would love to stay in the United States where she can find better opportunities to accomplish her dreams.