This week’s CAC INTRODUCING … featured student-athlete is Desirae Sullivan, is one of the senior leaders on the 2011 Stevenson University softball team.  She helped lead the Mustangs to their first 20-win season as members of the CAC last year, which included a third-place finish in the CAC Tournament.  Sullivan is hoping to help Stevenson continue to climb the CAC ladder in 2011.

What is your background in the sport you play?    I started playing when I was about 4 years old. I played at Severna Park High and was on varsity all four years. I also have played select travel ball since I was about 12.

What is your favorite spot on campus?   My favorite spot on campus would have to be our sports complex due to the fact all the athletes are always down there and you always feel like one big family even though we all play different sports.

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in (on campus or off campus)? I am a member of the Human Services Club on campus and I also am a member of Anne Arundel County Park and Recreation Camp Sessions. 

Briefly describe the most memorable experience during your collegiate athletic career.  My most memorable experience would have to be my junior year when we were playing York College and we were down 9 to 2 and I hit a grand slam to have us come back to even have a chance to win the game. We ended up losing the game but it was a great attempt by the whole team to come back in win.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?  I would have to say life in general. Beginning freshman have the fear if they are fitting in or if they even belong here or know what they want to do. Then for the graduating seniors, it is reality setting in. Seniors are thinking, “I don’t want to grow up nor did I really decide the right major, am I really going to make it in the world.”

If you could change any one item in the world (in your personal life, school, community, amateur or professional sports, national/international issue, etc.), what would it be, why, and how would you do it?  I would change the way professional sports are.  They all play because they make money and they know they make it no matter what so they don’t play for love of the game. They play for themselves, and for the money. I would change it by making them earn what they make. Pay them so much until they show that they earn the rest of the money.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?   I am a human services major and the most important thing I learn is to know when to feel empathy and to always know when to help and when to ask for help.

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?   The most influential person in my life has been Jeff Shepherd.  He was my high school coach and he always taught me that if I believe in myself and my team I’ll never be beaten. He also taught me to make sure that I protect myself and my team.  His favorite saying was “One Team, One Direction.”

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?  My advice would be to live life to the fullest, to love as much as you can, and to never regret anything because at one moment in your life it is exactly what you wanted.

What is your favorite form of entertainment?  I am really big country music fan, so I love to see live bands and to hear music it always makes me get in a better mood.  Country music always tells a story no matter what kind of song you are listening to.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team (and why)?   I have been an Orioles fan since I was little.  I still love going to the stadium and the smell of hotdogs and the FANS. I mean like the diehard fans that you know are there for love of the game and not just because they won a couple games.

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?    I would have dinner with Leonard Sullivan, my grandfather, who passed away the start of my senior year of high school softball season.  He is the whole reason I am playing ball and playing for the love of the game.

I would have dinner with Harold Shaffer, my professor who helped me really decide that I wanted to be an addictions counselor and that I’m going through with it full force.

I would also like to have dinner with Sandra Bullock.  I love her movies and I think she is a great inspirational woman who learned to stand on her own to feel, no matter how much a man can hurt her.