BALTIMORE, Md. — The Notre Dame of Maryland University campus community is gearing up to celebrate Notre Dame Day and Giving Day 2019 tomorrow, February 19. On Tuesday, students will be honored for the academic achievements during the schools year.  In conjunction with Notre Dame Day, NDMU will be hosting their second annual Giving Day where alumnae and alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends will have the opportunity to directly impact Notre Dame student-athlete population through the Gator Fund.
 
Today, we highlight two basketball seniors that have become leaders both in their sport and on campus.
 

Senior Justice Walrath is a senior basketball student-athlete who is majoring in Mathematics with a minor in Physics.  In her four years, she has excelled academically and has been a staple of the basketball lineup.  
 
Like many student-athletes at Notre Dame, Walrath was drawn to Notre Dame because of the opportunity to both play basketball and focus on her academics.  After sitting in on a practice during her senior year of high school, Walrath felt immediately welcomed by the freshmen just a year ahead of her.  She immediately looked up to them and knew this is where she wanted to play basketball.  
 
In her four seasons, Walrath had struggled with injury and had to take much of her sophomore season off.  When wondering if she should continue to pursue her college athletics career, she asked herself, "Is it worth it?"  After electing to have surgery, Walrath came back to the court in her junior season to make impacts again.  The decision to continue to play came down to all the work she had put in her career to get to play in college.  "I wanted to be able to look back in 20 years and say 'I did it, I played college basketball,'" said Walrath.
 
Now in her senior season, Walrath has become a leader for the Gators, a trait she said was learned from last year's robust senior class.  The 2017-18 basketball senior class included seven student-athletes, including Zaria Comer, who was NDMU's first player to earn postseason honors in the CSAC.  Walrath wanted to give back to her team what was passed down to her.
 
Looking to her future, Walrath would like to continue as a contractor for Lockheed Martin.  Starting with them this past summer as an intern, Walrath has secured herself a position after graduation.  She will advance to a full-time systems engineer, but also has aspirations to continue her education, getting a Masters in System Engineering.  
 
Walrath credits much of her academic success to Dr. Brian Christy in the Mathematics and Physics Departments at Notre Dame.  Walrath said that Dr. Christy steered her in the mathematics and physics direction and even helped her secure an internship in the National Security Scholars Program.  
 
Very similar to alum Cleaya Antes, Walrath stated that much of what is learned on the court translates to her career.  One specific aspect that being a student-athlete has helped her with is: interviewing.  Walrath said that a good portion of her interviews included questions about the student-athlete experience.  As a leader, she had to grow in her communications skills, a skill that has been beneficial for her having already started her career.
 
Notre Dame has certainly left a lasting impact in Walrath's life.  She has developed lifelong friendships, memories and skills.  She knows that even after graduation, she has the support system that is deeply rooted at NDMU.
 
 
Justine Mudiay is a senior basketball student-athlete, majoring in Business at NDMU.  She took an unconventional path to success at Notre Dame and has a lot to be proud of for what she has accomplished in her four years.
 
Similar to her teammate and many other student-athletes, Mudiay decided to come to Notre Dame because of the opportunities for students to also compete in sports.  Being able to play basketball while also getting a good education was very important.  She also enjoyed the small atmosphere of the university.
 
Mudiay although a four-year member of the basketball team, had at one point in her career a chance of losing a season of eligibility due to academics.  After a tough academics sophomore year, Mudiay said, "I knew I was better than that."  The thought of not being able to play sports was a huge push for her to improve in the classroom.  She has felt that that balance of sports and school has kept her focused throughout her career.
 
She put much more focus in her academics and set a goal to earn CSAC All-Academic last season.  For winter student-athletes, All-Academic is measured by having a 3.2 GPA or higher for the entire year since basketball takes place over two semesters.  Mudiay reached her goal being named CSAC All-Academic in 2017-18.  With one more year to go, Mudiay is also hopeful she can reach that mark one last time.
 
Looking to the future, Mudiay would like to work in sports marketing, a field that provides lots of options.  She could see herself working for ESPN behind the scenes or creating content for sports brands.  She also would like to continue her education, going into marketing or management for her masters program.
 
In speaking about how her leadership has changed over her four years, she said, "I'm more confident in myself."  In giving direction, she knows how to still be herself, but guide her teammates in how to succeed.
 
At NDMU, under the direction of head coach, Tom Gizzi, the basketball team frequently has what are referred to as "guest coaches."  These "coaches" come from many reaches of Notre Dame including: professors, staff members, and alums.  Mudiay, if she stays in the Baltimore area, said that she would continue to support the team anyway she can, including being a guest coach.
 
Notre Dame Athletics is proud of our student-athletes both past and present.  The hours they put into their academics and sports is something to be admired.  The success that they find in the classroom and in their sports are something they will find long after graduation.
 
Tomorrow as part of Giving Day 2019, we ask our alumnae and alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends to help support our current and future student-athletes by donating to the Gator Fund!  On social media, use the hashtag #ThisDayOurNDMU to celebrate with the Notre Dame campus community on Giving Day!