By: Brian Magoffin, Stony Brook Athletic Communications Intern
Are leaders born or do they learn to influence from others throughout their lives? Stony Brook University student-athlete Cindy Bennett is a testament to both arguments. As the commander on the pitch for the women's soccer team as the goalkeeper the past four years, as well as a voice for student-athletes as a member of the executive board for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Bennett has made sure her time at Stony Brook has been influential.
A native of Canton, Mich., Bennett is passionate about many things in life. Ever since she started the game of soccer at the age of four, Bennett has taken it as a highway to leadership. A captain and standout for her Belleville High soccer squad as well as for her club team, the Michigan Hawks, Bennett took great pride in being the leader of her teams. She continued to shine as an integral member of her Olympic Development Program team before moving on to the Region II team. She was soon selected to travel with the team on their International Tour through Germany, Belgium, Denmark, and France in the spring of 2001. From there, Bennett landed at Stony Brook, where she has been a staple in head coach Sue Ryan's defense for the past four seasons.
However, being a leader in the Bennett family is second nature.
"My parents have a great deal of responsibility and are great leaders. I am taking what I can from them, and what they have taught me to make a difference in other's lives," explained Bennett.
Cindy's father, Loren, is a retired Michigan State senator who served an eight-term limit and was the Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2002. Her mother, Terry, is the Charter Township of Canton clerk, after spending 22 years teaching handicapped children. Although Cindy has no desire to follow in her parent's footsteps in the political realm, she has used their experiences as a building block and learning tool.
"My hope for Cindy has always been that she would not only be a great goalkeeper, but also a great person. It is such a great thing to be able to say that you not only love her but you also have great respect for the leader and person she has become," described Terry Bennett.
It only then makes sense that she is a double major in Sociology and Women's Studies with a GPA of 3.47. To understand how people interact is an important component in being a great leader, and through Sociology, Bennett's knowledge has grown. "I am a people person, and I wanted to learn how society works. With women's studies, I wanted to learn where we as a gender have come from, so we can make significant changes for the future."
When Bennett plays her final match for the Seawolves this fall, she will have made her mark on the record books at Stony Brook. Since arriving on campus in the summer of 2002, Bennett has been called on to start every match, guarding the net like no other Seawolf before. She currently stands at the Seawolves all-time shut out leader with 22. Her postseason accolades have been equally impressive, as she has garnered America East Rookie of the Year (2002) and Goalkeeper of the Year (2004) honors.
"Sure those honors were great to get, but I have to say that without my team and the support of those around me, I feel as though I would not have gotten such awards," said Bennett in her usual modest tone.
Her highest honor came when picked to be one of 26 players to attend the U-21 National Camp in February of 2004. "That camp was just like any other camp I had been to, really. The intensity and skill level were just at a much higher level. I'm the kind of person that is very passionate about the game of soccer. I want to be around it and playing as much as possible. At that camp, everyone was like that, they were just like me."
A former president and current member of the executive board of the Stony Brook Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Bennett is determined to make an impact with her peers.
"My style is leading how I want to be led. I want to make changes and make a difference at Stony Brook. Whether it
s the atmosphere at the games or it's the student attendance, I want to get everyone involved."
When Bennett graduates this May, she plans on pursuing a career in coaching collegiate soccer. She has already obtained her Advanced and National coaching licenses, through taking coaching courses in Michigan and Amherst, Mass. Bennett originally planned to combine business and soccer, and start up a retail soccer supplies shop, but that all changed after she met head coach Sue Ryan.
"Coach Ryan inspired me to become a coach. How she deals with us day in and day out and how she has become a mentor for me, makes me want to make a difference in other people's lives".
As she looks back at her stay at Stony Brook, Bennett has grown in many facets of her life.
"I am a better person because of the people I met here and what they have done for me. I am a better leader, a better soccer player, and a better student. I am much better with people, on the soccer field directing my teammates, and off the field leading people towards a better Stony Brook."
Henry Kissinger once said, "the task of the leader is to get people from where they are to where they have not been." Cindy Bennett is doing just that, leading Stony Brook to places it has never been.