Illinois Soccer alum Emily Zurrer talks Illinois Soccer, her experience abroad, and her time with the Canadian national team in the 2008 Olympics. Zurrer graduated from Illinois in 2009 with a degree in Advertising. 

If you can remember, what made you choose Illinois? 

"A lot of people told me that 'you would just know' when you visited a school. Illinois was my last official visit, and when I got there I just had this feeling like 'yep, this is it.' I loved Janet and knew that I wanted to play for her as soon as I met her. To add onto that, the campus was beautiful, and I also really liked the fact that it was a college town - the school spirit was contagious. I also remember the team being awesome and very welcoming on my visit. I had wanted a school that had a great soccer program, but that was also very good academically. Illinois just ticked every box." 

What is your favorite memory from playing soccer in college? 

"Wow - tough question! It's so hard to pinpoint just one memory. One that stands out was probably when we came back to beat Penn State 3-2 in front of one of the biggest crowds we had - I think it was 2006. I remember Ella Masar scoring two goals, and it was a big deal because we were always the underdogs against Penn State at the time. We ended up meeting them again in the finals of the Big Ten tournament that year (no need to discuss the outcome of that though)." 

If you could go back and talk to yourself at 20 years old, what advice would you give her? 

"You are right where you're supposed to be. ….and work on your left foot more." ?

What is your current job title and what does that position entail?

"I actually just got back from living in Shanghai for two years with my fiancé (and our pup Griffey who we rescued there). We went over for his job, but while we were there I worked as a Pilates and yoga teacher, coached soccer, and studied Interior Design. Now that we're back in Canada, we're currently working on a large renovation project full time. We bought an apartment building on the west coast of British Columbia a few years ago and are renovating all 13 of the residential units ourselves. It's a lot of work but has been so satisfying to see the results when they're done! As soon as this project is over, I am looking forward to pursuing a career in real estate and design." 

How did your athletic involvement transfer to life skills off the field? 

"So much of being an athlete has translated into other areas of my life. You need a certain level of work ethic and drive to be an elite athlete, and I think those habits are either innate, or they are with you for life after competing at the highest level. Resiliency has also played a big factor in other areas of my life. There are so many pressures and ups and downs when you're an athlete, and the ones that are successful can stay resilient and come out stronger through the tough times. That mindset has helped me through the ups and downs of life and has made me a stronger and more adaptable human. I also think that as an athlete you ultimately have a greater sense of purpose. You're never just playing for yourself, and not even just for your team, but also for your family, the fans, the little kids that want to be in your shoes one day. It's cool to feel like you can have some sort of positive impact on other people, and I hope to carry that on into other aspects in my life too. "

Favorite Accomplishment? 

"My favorite accomplishment has to be making it to the Olympics. I remember watching the 1996 Olympics on TV when I was 9 years old and telling my family that I was going to go to the Olympics one day. When it happened years later it felt surreal. It took me a while to process it and even now I'm like, 'Wow, I actually did that!' It's a cool story to tell kids who have the same dream - anything is possible." 

Can you share one of your current goals or projects that you are working on?

Finishing this renovation project! We are almost there… 10 units down and 3 to go! My secret goal is to adopt all the dogs…. Don't tell my fiancé."

Is there a place that you have traveled that you believe everyone should see? If so, where and why? 

"Bagan, Myanmar - Cappodocia, Turkey - Rishikesh, India - MAGICAL places." 

Any last words? (Updates, advice, etc.) 

"Enjoy the journey and keep on being awesome! And don't forget to see the world while you're at it!"