Page 6 - 2019 Winter Newsletter | Rochester Athletics | University of Rochester

Lessons from the soccer field

Darlene Elia Buenzow ’88

Darlene Elia Buenzow ’88 played 17; Deanna, 15; and Michael, 13. She performing well on her local travel
on the women’s soccer team and her husband, Michael, live in golf team to encouraging her
throughout her four years at Evanston, Illinois. children to strive for excellence in
Rochester. She was a member of two all that they do—as young adults,
national championship teams, where Being an athlete informed successful students, and already
she was a starting midfielder. She her life accomplished athletes (two play Tier
also served as team captain. “Playing high-level sports taught me 1 hockey and one is a skilled golfer).
about teamwork, leadership, time
Besides being an outstanding player, management, and dedication, and it Buenzow reflects on some of her
Buenzow was an accomplished boosted my confidence and showed favorite moments at Rochester.
student. She was a molecular me what perseverance can achieve,” During her senior year, the team’s
genetics major at Rochester Buenzow says. “I’m lucky—I can record was 17-1—and only lost
who went on to earn a PhD in apply so much of what I learned on to Cornell, a nail-biter 1-0 game.
biochemistry, molecular biology, the field to life in general.” Throughout the entire season, every
and cell biology at Northwestern player on the team scored a goal
University. She later became a And she has, from coordinating or assisted on a goal. “That is really
professor there, until dedicating her large classes and labs for hundreds unusual. So is the fact that during
time to her three children, Matthew, of undergraduates at a time to my four years on the team, we

6 ROCHESTER ATHLETICS WINTER 2018–19