Indiana University Athletics
Where Are They Now? Brewer
3/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - From time to time, IUHOOSIERS.com will take a look back on previous IU standouts and find out what they have been doing since their time with the Cream and Crimson. The first in the series is former middle blocker Melissa Brewer. The newlywed, now known as Melissa Smith, is currently in medical school. She took the time to reflect on her time and to update IUHOOSIERS.com on her recent experiences.
LOOKING BACK
The Bloomington, Ind., native concluded one of the most successful careers in IU history as Indiana's all-time leader with 1,547 career kills and 469 block assists at the time. Outgoing-senior Christina Archibald, however, surpassed Brewer's kill total last season with 1,808 career putaways. Additionally, Brewer finished her four years second on the all-time list with 516 total blocks, just five behind former Hoosier great Julie Goedde. Brewer also sits third all-time with a .277 career hitting percentage and eighth with 47 career block solos. The Hoosier also earned a spot on the 2003 Verizon Academic All-District V Second Team. It was the third straight year she received the honor after making the first team the previous two seasons.
MELISSA SMITH SPEAKS:
On her recent history:
"I just completed my first semester of medical school at IUPUI and am currently in my second semester of my first year. After this year I will have one year of class work left, then two years of clinical rotations and then graduation. So, medical school is four years and then I will do a residency in the field I choose for either three of four years."
On whether volleyball prepared her for her current activities:
"I think volleyball was an incredible way to prepare for medical school. When you play college athletics, you have to learn to balance schoolwork with the time you must dedicate to your sport. There is no better way to learn time management than to play a sport in college. The load in medical school is equivalent to competing in volleyball and going to school. It truly is a full time commitment, and without volleyball I think I would have had a very difficult time adjusting to the amount of work that I am expected to do."
On her New Year's Eve wedding:
"My husband is Ryan Smith, who attended IU and played baseball as well. We were married on New Year's Eve in Bloomington. It was so amazing and meant so much to both of us that so many of my old teammates and (Indiana head volleyball coach) Katie Weismiller and (former assistant volleyball coach) Cydryce Carter and Ryan's teammates and (Indiana head baseball coach) Bob Morgan could share in our special day. It really just shows how supportive this community is."
On her plans after medical school:
"I am not sure what I will do when I finish my medical education, but I know it will be a residency in the specialty I choose. I don't know exactly what that will be, but I am open to anything at this point. Of course, now that I am married, I really am looking forward to starting a family some day."
On her advice to other student-athletes:
"My advice would be to always keep pushing and remember the reason why you are playing collegiate athletics. You do it because you love the sport, not because it is something that you are made to do. Don't let it become a job; you play sports because it is your passion. That is just one thing I can't stress enough. Also, I would say to remember that school should come first. You go to college to prepare yourself for your future career and it is a gift that at the same time you get to compete. I think a lot of people get the two reversed and think they go to college to compete and learning comes second. If you fall into that trap, it will spell trouble down the road when it is time to get a job. So just keep your passion for competing and put your studies first!"
LOOKING BACK
The Bloomington, Ind., native concluded one of the most successful careers in IU history as Indiana's all-time leader with 1,547 career kills and 469 block assists at the time. Outgoing-senior Christina Archibald, however, surpassed Brewer's kill total last season with 1,808 career putaways. Additionally, Brewer finished her four years second on the all-time list with 516 total blocks, just five behind former Hoosier great Julie Goedde. Brewer also sits third all-time with a .277 career hitting percentage and eighth with 47 career block solos. The Hoosier also earned a spot on the 2003 Verizon Academic All-District V Second Team. It was the third straight year she received the honor after making the first team the previous two seasons.
MELISSA SMITH SPEAKS:
On her recent history:
"I just completed my first semester of medical school at IUPUI and am currently in my second semester of my first year. After this year I will have one year of class work left, then two years of clinical rotations and then graduation. So, medical school is four years and then I will do a residency in the field I choose for either three of four years."
On whether volleyball prepared her for her current activities:
"I think volleyball was an incredible way to prepare for medical school. When you play college athletics, you have to learn to balance schoolwork with the time you must dedicate to your sport. There is no better way to learn time management than to play a sport in college. The load in medical school is equivalent to competing in volleyball and going to school. It truly is a full time commitment, and without volleyball I think I would have had a very difficult time adjusting to the amount of work that I am expected to do."
On her New Year's Eve wedding:
"My husband is Ryan Smith, who attended IU and played baseball as well. We were married on New Year's Eve in Bloomington. It was so amazing and meant so much to both of us that so many of my old teammates and (Indiana head volleyball coach) Katie Weismiller and (former assistant volleyball coach) Cydryce Carter and Ryan's teammates and (Indiana head baseball coach) Bob Morgan could share in our special day. It really just shows how supportive this community is."
On her plans after medical school:
"I am not sure what I will do when I finish my medical education, but I know it will be a residency in the specialty I choose. I don't know exactly what that will be, but I am open to anything at this point. Of course, now that I am married, I really am looking forward to starting a family some day."
On her advice to other student-athletes:
"My advice would be to always keep pushing and remember the reason why you are playing collegiate athletics. You do it because you love the sport, not because it is something that you are made to do. Don't let it become a job; you play sports because it is your passion. That is just one thing I can't stress enough. Also, I would say to remember that school should come first. You go to college to prepare yourself for your future career and it is a gift that at the same time you get to compete. I think a lot of people get the two reversed and think they go to college to compete and learning comes second. If you fall into that trap, it will spell trouble down the road when it is time to get a job. So just keep your passion for competing and put your studies first!"
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
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