Emily Dzik

Classroom

Dzik excels in the classroom with a difficult major, holding a 3.98 GPA as a nursing major. In 2013, Dzik was recognized for athletic and academic success by earning Capital One Academic All-District Second Team and Academic All-MAC accolades. She also found herself as an Academic All-MAC student-athlete as a sophomore, her first year eligible for the honor.  Dzik is an EMU Scholar Athlete with one of the highest GPAs out of all Eastern Michigan student-athletes. Dzik is a member of both the honors college as well as the nursing mentor program, helping younger students adjust to the program and nursing school. She is also a class representative for administration coordination in Child/Family Health Nursing. In her quest to become a nurse after college, Dzik is a current member of the Eastern Michigan chapter of the nationwide Student Nurses Association.

Character

In terms of character, Dzik is a leader for the EMU soccer program. Starting in every game since she arrived on campus as a freshman, she has proven to be a leader on the field. Her teammates look up to her, and she will serve as a team captain for the 2014 campaign, her senior season. Dzik leads vocally and by example on and off the field.

Community

Dzik was a leader for the EMU soccer program as they became role models for kids on youth soccer teams, running out on the pitch with the Eagles for the starting lineups. Also, in the Eagles’ final non-conference match of the 2013 season, Sept. 22, at Scicluna Field against Indiana State, the Eastern Michigan University soccer team recognized the match as Cancer Awareness Day. The Eagles sported teal armbands, headbands and special white jerseys with teal-colored numbers, the color of ovarian cancer awareness. Following the match, the jerseys were auctioned off with proceeds going to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. With a minimum required bid of $100, each jersey went to the highest bidder. Cheryl Kaim, mother of 2013 EMU senior Allison Kaim and former player Julie Kaim, passed away in 2011 fighting ovarian cancer. Cheryl was not only a mother to her girls, but to the entire EMU soccer team. She showed her bravery and strength fighting the horrific disease, refusing to quit. All proceeds towards the jersey auction will go to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition in Cheryl Kaim’s name. At halftime, a special presentation to the Kaim family will take place at midfield to honor Cheryl, a woman that will forever be an important member of the EMU soccer family, as well as all of those who have been affected by ovarian cancer. As an upperclassman, Dzik was one of the leaders with this important awareness day. Dzik has volunteered in multiple soccer functions in the summer such as soccer camps and soccer tournaments to help teach, assist, direct, and play with younger kids.

Competition

Emily Dzik is a two-time All-MAC First Team honoree and has started every game of her EMU career. She was named MAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, leading the EMU defense that pitched five shutouts throughout the season as the Eagles captured the MAC regular season crown. She started every game for the Eagles, playing 1,930 out of a possible 1,967 minutes. Dzik collected NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Third Team and All-MAC First Team honors for her performance on the pitch, while proving to be an offensive threat on corner kicks as three headers found the back of the net. She was also recognized for athletic and academic success by earning Capital One Academic All-District Second Team and Academic All-MAC accolades. As a sophomore, she was named to the All-MAC First Team and Academic All-MAC Team for the first time in her career after starting all 19 games on the defense. The Troy, Mich. native notched two points on the season with a game-winning goal in overtime against Akron, Oct. 21, while also tallying nine shots with four on goal. In her debut season, Dzik was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team, starting all 18 games and recording the most minutes played (1638) of any EMU player. She also tallied a pair of goals and an assist in the EMU backfield during her first season as an Eagle.

In her final season as an Eagle, Dzik has been a threat on both sides of the field. As a defender, she has played all 653 minutes of the season thus far and has helped EMU end the tough non-conference season with a 4-2-1 record. Leading the EMU back line, Dzik has been a primary factor in three shutouts as the Eagles have kept their opponents off the scoreboard. Also, Dzik has shown she has offensive firepower as well, scoring two goals for the second-most on the team in 2014.