KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 23, 2025

As different as they may seem, there are a lot of parallels between lacrosse and the field of computer science. Kennesaw State University student Kendal Elison said both require persistence and flexible decision-making.

“On the lacrosse field, I stay calm under pressure and make quick decisions. It’s the same with coding,” Elison added. “When I have an issue with codes or face a tough opponent, I know I just have to keep going. Both in sports and tech, it’s about staying determined and learning from setbacks.”

A junior defender on the Kennesaw State’s women’s lacrosse team, Elison speaks from experience. Recently, she earned College Sports Communicators All-District honors, reflecting her excellence on the field and in the classroom. When she’s not competing, she’s working toward her computer science degree as a KSU Journey Honors College student.

For as long as she can remember, Elison has been passionate about lacrosse. The physicality and strategy of the game taught her how to read opponents and create opportunities for her team. Her love for the game has fostered her leadership skills, as she learned to inspire and motivate her teammates both on and off the field.

Her interest in technology, however, can be traced back to the fourth grade when Elison attended a Lockheed Martin coding camp. There, she programmed LEGO robots, sparking a fascination with coding that grew through middle and high school. By the time she applied to college, emerging technologies were her niche.

When considering colleges, Kennesaw State stood out to Elison for its renowned STEM programs and warm climate, a welcomed change from her normally frigid hometown of Collegeville, Pennsylvania. She ultimately enrolled as a computer science and software engineering dual major in KSU’s College of Computing and Software Engineering.

“The professors had real-world experience, and they were approachable,” she said. “It felt like the right fit, and it turned out to be one the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

Managing her computer science coursework with her lacrosse schedule is challenging, but Elison said that it only requires a little more time management. She stays ahead on assignments, knowing that her athletic schedule doesn’t allow room for procrastination.

“If I have a game or practice coming up, I make sure my schoolwork is already done,” she said. “I knew from the beginning it wasn’t going to be easy, but it comes with being a student-athlete.”

Elison’s professors and teammates are crucial to her success. While professors help her work around her travel schedule, her team supports each other both academically and athletically.

“Overall, she is a motivated, dependable individual with strong technical skills and a professional attitude toward her studies,” said Hisham Haddad, professor of computer science and information systems. “She never misses class and is always engaged in discussions.”

Lacrosse coach Laura Maness said Elison has served as a role model for the team.

“Kendal has been a huge asset to our team, contributing important minutes last season and making key plays,” Maness said. “She’s a tough competitor with a great attitude, and after gaining experience, we’re confident she’ll make a bigger impact. Off the field, she’s an excellent student and sets a great example of balancing academics and athletics.”

Looking ahead, Elison plans to pursue a graduate degree and a career in data analytics. She sees herself working with sports teams, analyzing data to improve player performance and strategies.

“Analyzing performance data to help teams make decisions is the perfect way to combine my passions,” she said. “Sports and tech are two things that excite me, and I want to find a way to bridge them together.”

– Story by Raynard Churchwell

Photos by Darnell Wilburn

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.