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SHU Pirates (Seton Hall University)
Jan 3 2012
THE FRONT NINE: Nine Questions for Women's Golfer Nicole Longobardo
The Front Nine caught up with Seton Hall women's golfer Nicole
Longobardo. The lone senior has been instrumental in mentoring this
very young group of Pirates through the program's first two years.
"Nicole has been an absolute pleasure to have on this team for the
past year and a half," said head coach Sara Doell. "Her work ethic in
school, in the gym and in practice is tremendous. Nicole has a
positive attitude that is infectious to those around her. Having a
senior with strong leadership skills has been a valuable asset for
this team."
Longobardo saw only one start this fall, but was a key contributor
during last year's inaugural season. She participated in seven
tournaments as a junior, including the program's first ever BIG EAST
Championship.
"Despite a continual nagging knee injury, Nicole has made great
strides in her golf game since last fall," Doell said. "At the end of
last spring, she was awarded the "Most Improved Player" award for the
inaugural team which was very well-deserved. She went from shooting
118 in her first collegiate round to shooting 88 in an event just six
months later. Those results are a true testament to her dedication to
improving her game."
The Front Nine asked Nicole Longobardo the following nine questions:
1. Why did you choose to attend Seton Hall?
I originally chose to come to Seton Hall because I was accepted into
the Diplomacy and International Relations program at the Whitehead
School of Diplomacy. I thought this program, with its good reputation
and relationship with the UN, would provide me with many opportunities
in the field of foreign affairs. Seton Hall's location was also a
major factor in my decision. I knew I wanted to get out of California
and experience the culture of the East Coast, and Seton Hall really
provided me with the best opportunity to do so. It also helped that I
was offered an academic scholarship! Interestingly, I am no longer in
the Diplomacy program. I guess a better question would be, why did I
choose to stay at Seton Hall? What I found at the Hall is something I
don't believe I would have found anywhere else. I have, in all
honesty, found a second family and one of the best support systems.
As a senior, I can say that SHU has provided me with an invaluable
experience that has helped me to build a foundation for my future not
only academically but spiritually as well.
2. What was your favorite memory to date of your experience as a
Seton Hall student-athlete?
My fondest memory as a Pirate was when I was walking down the fairway
of the third hole at Bucknell Country Club in Seton Hall's first ever
women's golf tournament. I will never forget looking at the pirate on
my polo shirt and thinking, "I can't believe I am one of the first
women to play golf for the Hall!" The idea of playing for a Division
I school was so mindboggling to me and that feeling is something I
will never forget. It truly made me so proud to be a Pirate.
3. What is the greatest lesson that you have learned from the
game of golf?
The greatest lesson I have learned from the game of golf was taught to
me by my dad when I was a lot younger. He always told me that golf is
a game of integrity and if you cheat in golf, you cheat in life. I
will never forget his words for as long as I live and every time I
prepare to tee-off, I say these words in my head and, then, I am ready
to play.
4. What accomplishment in your Seton Hall golf career are you
most proud of?
There are so many accomplishments I am most proud of since playing
golf at Seton Hall! The one I am most proud of, however, was being
able to break 90 in a tournament. It is such an amazing feeling to
know that all the hard work you put into something you love has
finally paid off. This accomplishment was then coupled with being
awarded for the National Golf Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete
award. What a great combination! Not only did my hard work on the
course pay off, but, my hard work in the classroom did too!
5. Have you played any other organized or team sports? If so,
why did golf stand out as the sport that you chose to pursue?
I have played sports since I was able to walk! In my life I have
played soccer, basketball, softball, track and field, and golf and
have enjoyed each one of them immensely. Golf stood out clearly to me
as being very much non-contact which was a complete change from the
other sports I played. I honestly just played golf for fun and didn't
see myself as pursuing it beyond the recreational level; I always
enjoyed the game and saw it as pretty relaxing. But, I am sure glad I
decided to pursue it in college because it has turned out to be one of
the best decisions I have made!
6. What is your major and why did you choose that area to study?
I am a History major with a minor in Diplomacy and Asian Area Studies.
I chose to choose History mostly because I have a passion for it. I
love being able to study the past and how it teaches us lessons for
the future. Even when I was in elementary school and high school,
history was always my favorite subject and taking History course at
SHU have fostered my interest into a deep desire to research further.
I absolutely love what I am studying!
7. What goals do you have both on the golf course and in the
classroom during your career here at Seton Hall?
Many of the goals I have on the golf course and in the classroom while
at Seton Hall have already been met which is an amazing feat for me!
In the classroom this coming semester is to get as close to graduating
Suma Cum Laud as possible. There is still a glimmer of hope left if I
get perfect grades in the Spring. On the course, I want to just
continue to work hard and be even more focused on targets which will
hopefully get me to the green with fewer shots!
8. What are your other hobbies and interests, outside of golf?
Outside of golf, I love to play basketball , something me and my
roommate/teammate Stacie do from time to time before our team
workouts. I also very much enjoy reading. I remember reading 7 books
two summers ago and that was so great! Watching college football is
another interest I have and I think this might come from the fact that
my dad is a football coach...I even like watching his team sometimes!
Other than that, I really enjoy baking and my greatest accomplishment
in that area was making a fondant cake for my parent's anniversary.
9. What is something that not many people know about you?
Many people do not know that I am half Armenian and that, because of
this, I would love to take a pilgrimage journey to Armenia, seeing the
important religious sites including the cave where St. Gregory was
imprisoned. I would also like to retrace the steps of my
Great-grandfather who escaped the Armenian Genocide in 1914. My mom
might not actually know this about me!
http://www.shupirates.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=12600&ATCLID5355531
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Jan 3 2012
THE FRONT NINE: Nine Questions for Women's Golfer Nicole Longobardo
The Front Nine caught up with Seton Hall women's golfer Nicole
Longobardo. The lone senior has been instrumental in mentoring this
very young group of Pirates through the program's first two years.
"Nicole has been an absolute pleasure to have on this team for the
past year and a half," said head coach Sara Doell. "Her work ethic in
school, in the gym and in practice is tremendous. Nicole has a
positive attitude that is infectious to those around her. Having a
senior with strong leadership skills has been a valuable asset for
this team."
Longobardo saw only one start this fall, but was a key contributor
during last year's inaugural season. She participated in seven
tournaments as a junior, including the program's first ever BIG EAST
Championship.
"Despite a continual nagging knee injury, Nicole has made great
strides in her golf game since last fall," Doell said. "At the end of
last spring, she was awarded the "Most Improved Player" award for the
inaugural team which was very well-deserved. She went from shooting
118 in her first collegiate round to shooting 88 in an event just six
months later. Those results are a true testament to her dedication to
improving her game."
The Front Nine asked Nicole Longobardo the following nine questions:
1. Why did you choose to attend Seton Hall?
I originally chose to come to Seton Hall because I was accepted into
the Diplomacy and International Relations program at the Whitehead
School of Diplomacy. I thought this program, with its good reputation
and relationship with the UN, would provide me with many opportunities
in the field of foreign affairs. Seton Hall's location was also a
major factor in my decision. I knew I wanted to get out of California
and experience the culture of the East Coast, and Seton Hall really
provided me with the best opportunity to do so. It also helped that I
was offered an academic scholarship! Interestingly, I am no longer in
the Diplomacy program. I guess a better question would be, why did I
choose to stay at Seton Hall? What I found at the Hall is something I
don't believe I would have found anywhere else. I have, in all
honesty, found a second family and one of the best support systems.
As a senior, I can say that SHU has provided me with an invaluable
experience that has helped me to build a foundation for my future not
only academically but spiritually as well.
2. What was your favorite memory to date of your experience as a
Seton Hall student-athlete?
My fondest memory as a Pirate was when I was walking down the fairway
of the third hole at Bucknell Country Club in Seton Hall's first ever
women's golf tournament. I will never forget looking at the pirate on
my polo shirt and thinking, "I can't believe I am one of the first
women to play golf for the Hall!" The idea of playing for a Division
I school was so mindboggling to me and that feeling is something I
will never forget. It truly made me so proud to be a Pirate.
3. What is the greatest lesson that you have learned from the
game of golf?
The greatest lesson I have learned from the game of golf was taught to
me by my dad when I was a lot younger. He always told me that golf is
a game of integrity and if you cheat in golf, you cheat in life. I
will never forget his words for as long as I live and every time I
prepare to tee-off, I say these words in my head and, then, I am ready
to play.
4. What accomplishment in your Seton Hall golf career are you
most proud of?
There are so many accomplishments I am most proud of since playing
golf at Seton Hall! The one I am most proud of, however, was being
able to break 90 in a tournament. It is such an amazing feeling to
know that all the hard work you put into something you love has
finally paid off. This accomplishment was then coupled with being
awarded for the National Golf Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete
award. What a great combination! Not only did my hard work on the
course pay off, but, my hard work in the classroom did too!
5. Have you played any other organized or team sports? If so,
why did golf stand out as the sport that you chose to pursue?
I have played sports since I was able to walk! In my life I have
played soccer, basketball, softball, track and field, and golf and
have enjoyed each one of them immensely. Golf stood out clearly to me
as being very much non-contact which was a complete change from the
other sports I played. I honestly just played golf for fun and didn't
see myself as pursuing it beyond the recreational level; I always
enjoyed the game and saw it as pretty relaxing. But, I am sure glad I
decided to pursue it in college because it has turned out to be one of
the best decisions I have made!
6. What is your major and why did you choose that area to study?
I am a History major with a minor in Diplomacy and Asian Area Studies.
I chose to choose History mostly because I have a passion for it. I
love being able to study the past and how it teaches us lessons for
the future. Even when I was in elementary school and high school,
history was always my favorite subject and taking History course at
SHU have fostered my interest into a deep desire to research further.
I absolutely love what I am studying!
7. What goals do you have both on the golf course and in the
classroom during your career here at Seton Hall?
Many of the goals I have on the golf course and in the classroom while
at Seton Hall have already been met which is an amazing feat for me!
In the classroom this coming semester is to get as close to graduating
Suma Cum Laud as possible. There is still a glimmer of hope left if I
get perfect grades in the Spring. On the course, I want to just
continue to work hard and be even more focused on targets which will
hopefully get me to the green with fewer shots!
8. What are your other hobbies and interests, outside of golf?
Outside of golf, I love to play basketball , something me and my
roommate/teammate Stacie do from time to time before our team
workouts. I also very much enjoy reading. I remember reading 7 books
two summers ago and that was so great! Watching college football is
another interest I have and I think this might come from the fact that
my dad is a football coach...I even like watching his team sometimes!
Other than that, I really enjoy baking and my greatest accomplishment
in that area was making a fondant cake for my parent's anniversary.
9. What is something that not many people know about you?
Many people do not know that I am half Armenian and that, because of
this, I would love to take a pilgrimage journey to Armenia, seeing the
important religious sites including the cave where St. Gregory was
imprisoned. I would also like to retrace the steps of my
Great-grandfather who escaped the Armenian Genocide in 1914. My mom
might not actually know this about me!
http://www.shupirates.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=12600&ATCLID5355531
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress