« Women’s Soccer 2014

Elise Kotsakis

School
Butler University
Position
Forward
Major
actuarial science

Classroom

Kotsakis was part of a Butler women’s soccer program that had a successful 2013-14 season both on the field and in the classroom. The group maintained a 3.588 grade-point average during the fall semester and upped that GPA to 3.622 during the spring. Kotsakis was one of 26 women’s soccer student-athletes to make the spring 2014 Athletic Director’s Honor Roll which recognizes those athletes who hold a 3.25 GPA or higher. Kotsakis currently holds a 3.623 cum GPA and was recently named to the 2013-14 BIG EAST All-Academic Team.

Character

Kotsakis works incredibly hard and is always available to train and play. She is fantastically durable and loves the game of soccer. Kotsakis is the type of player that is always doing extra work by herself after practice. This includes with the coaches to get extra guidance and also without coaches. She has grown into leadership role to now encourage and bring out other players to do extra work with her, particularly with our younger players who have responded very well to that. On the field Kotsakis is a team player 100% of the time. She doesn’t like being singled out for her good play. She rather deflects everything to the team and believes every individual achievement is a result of a team effort. She is they type of person that teammates can go to for help on a personal level, with their game and with their academics. Kotsakis has called team meetings and creates a fantastic environment and platform for the players to share their ideas and have open and honest discussions. She is also a very calm leader and very inclusive of everyone which earns her a lot of respect in the group.

Community

Kotsakis has worked with TopSoccer for four years. During that time she has been able to share her love of the game with physically and mentally handicapped youths and young adults. Additionally she has volunteered with her teammates multiple times at Gleaners food banks. When she is away from her team over the summer months, Kotsakis volunteers at her local wellness center in Palatine, Ill. to provide support, education and understanding to those affected by cancer. She has also participated in and volunteered at numerous Half Marathons including the North Shore Half Marathon in order to raise money for various charitable organizations. Kotsakis is a true leader in Butler’s community service efforts as a team which has completed over 800 hours of community service every year she has been here.

Competition

Has been an impact player at Butler since arriving on campus during her freshman campaign in 2011. Voted Second Team All-Horizon League and to the League All-Newcomer Squad as a freshman. She played in all 20 matches, making 17 starts and was tied for the team lead in goals with six and in points with 14. She followed up by starting in every game during her sophomore campaign which totaled 1,597 minutes of playing time for the season. Finished second on the team in points with nine by scoring three goals and assisting on three others. Most recently earned Second Team All-BIG EAST honors after her junior season. Kotsakis started in all 20 games for Butler at the forward position and ended the year with six goals and four assists giving her 16 points. An impact player with the game on the line, Kotsakis also led the team with four game-winning goals.