Godbout Doing it all at Coker

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Kelley Godbout just might play every role a student can play at Coker. And that’s the way she prefers it.

The sophomore from Matthews, N.C., has her time cut out for her – she’s a dual athlete in basketball and soccer, is commissioner to the “Moo Cow” family, president of the Science Club, a World Scholar and a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. Oh, and she’s a biology major with a pre-medical concentration.

“I believe this whole experience is about time management, and I like to think I have good time management skills,” said Godbout, who was named Coker’s Female Freshman of the Year. “I love being in so many activities because it helps me stay involved.”

Make no mistake about it, though, basketball is her top priority outside of the classroom. It is also a large reason she decided to attend Coker.

"I automatically felt part of the Coker family as soon as I came on my visit,” she said. “I loved the coaches, the campus, and I just fit in perfectly.”

Playing two sports in college has always been a vision of Godbout’s, but it became a reality this year. In addition to being a key member of the women’s basketball team, she joined the women’s soccer team this season.

“I thought about coming in and playing both soccer and basketball, but I wasn’t sure if I would have been able to cope coming in as a freshman” said Godbout.

Being a basketball-first athlete, playing soccer had to come at the approval of Jenny and Vic Finora, the head and assistant women’s basketball coaches. With Godbout being a key returner – she averaged 10.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game as a freshman – it was a decision that the coaching duo had to thoroughly consider.

“Kelley is a great example of what a Coker student-athlete should be,” said Jenny Finora. “With her being such an excellent student we knew she could manage between the two sports. Like all coaches, we put the health of our players first and want to make sure we put them in the best possible situations. We were confident that Kelley would be able to handle both sports.”

Godbout has been not only been able to maintain her time between the two sports, she’s managed to become a key piece on both rosters. In basketball she’s the first person off the bench and an occasional starter; in soccer she is a starting forward and a captain.

“Kelley has a great energy, is always upbeat and has been a great addition to our team,” said head women’s soccer coach Dan Muns. “She is really coachable and well-respected. We couldn’t ask for a better kid on and off the field.”

After she graduates from Coker, Godbout has aspirations of going to med school and working in the emergency room. Eventually soccer and basketball will have to become hobbies. But, for now, with the high demands of life as a dual-sport athlete and multi-faceted student, she is preparing herself well for a career in the healthcare world.

“It is always nice to get recognized for two sports, but I feel proud to be representing Coker at other things too,” she said. “I feel lucky to have so many great opportunities here.”

Story by Marketing & Communications Intern Lucy Fish ’13.