At many universities, the demands of a nursing program and the life of a student-athlete don’t mix. The hours in labs, clinicals and study sessions collide with the travel, practices and competitions of collegiate sports. Some schools even tell recruits outright: you can’t do both. 

At Northern Michigan University, however, the story is different. Here, athletes are proving that excelling in both is not only possible, but something the university actively supports. With flexible professors, understanding coaches and strong academic resources, NMU has built a culture where nursing students can chase championships and prepare for healthcare careers at the same time. 

Three Wildcats; soccer player Hannah Kastamo, distance runner Madi Szymanski and wrestler Alissa Caltagirone are proving just how powerful that balance can be. 

Senior defender Hannah Kastamo has become a decorated player in NMU soccer. A D2CCA All-America First Team selection, GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year and Wildcat Awards Breakthrough Female Athlete of the Year, she anchored a defense that helped lead NMU to GLIAC titles in 2024. 

But while she thrives on the field, she’s equally focused on her future in nursing. 

“I think it’s awesome! It’s very nice being able to prepare for the future you want while still being able to play in your sport,” Kastamo said. “The professors and coaches are both very accommodating to make sure we can reach our full potential in both school and our sport.” 

Balancing both worlds isn’t easy. “You have class, studying, clinic, homework. And on top of that you have to cut out a 3–4 hour block out of each day for your sport,” she said. 

Still, she believes her athletic background makes her a stronger nursing student. “Athletics has helped me in nursing by making me coachable. I can learn from constructive criticism.” 

For senior Madi Szymanski, the grind is year-round. A standout in cross country and track, she became the first Wildcat to compete at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in 2023, earned All-Region honors and set multiple school records in distance events. 

The demands of training and travel, however, test her time management skills to the extreme. 

“I compete year-round. I don’t really have an off-season, so I’m usually gone every single weekend,” Szymanski said. “In some cases, that means I miss 50% of my classes, which is really hard, especially in nursing school. So that just adds another layer of like, you have to be really on top of things and really dedicated.” 

What makes it possible, she explained, is NMU’s culture of support. “It’s awesome that the professors are all super willing to work with us. I haven’t run into any situations where anyone has been discouraging or upset that we have to miss. Everyone is supportive, and they’re good about making office hours or meetings if you need to do something online.” 

She also recalls being recruited by other schools that told her nursing wasn’t an option. “But my coach here encouraged me to put academics first and showed me examples of successful athletes in nursing. That made all the difference.” 

Junior wrestler Alissa Caltagirone brings yet another perspective. Already a two-time NWCA Scholar All-American, she placed 8th at the NCWWC Championships in 2025, earning All-America honors and finishing the season ranked among the nation’s top wrestlers. 

Her sport requires strict discipline, early in the mornings, tough weight management, and long training hours; all while handling nursing coursework. 

“Time management is key when balancing nursing school with athletics,” Caltagirone said. “Between 20 hours of practice each week and clinicals or study time, finding the right balance can be tough. Every minute counts, maximizing every moment and staying organized is essential.” 

She credits wrestling with giving her the structure she needs to thrive in nursing, while nursing has pushed her to discover new strengths. “It’s taught me that I’m capable of far more than I often give myself credit for.” 

For these Wildcats, the ability to pursue both passions speaks volumes about NMU’s values. 

“I think it speaks to how much Northern values the whole person, not just the athlete,” Caltagirone said. “Many institutions put pressure on athletes to focus solely on their sport, but there’s more to life than just athletics. It’s important for athletes to be prepared for life after college, and that means developing skills and passions beyond the field or court.” 

From academic advisors to mental health resources to professors who understand the strain of balancing two demanding worlds, NMU has built a system that allows its student-athletes to succeed.  

For Kastamo, Szymanski, and Caltagirone, nursing and athletics are more than separate commitments, they strengthen one another. Nursing teaches resilience, focus, and discipline; athletics instills time management, teamwork, and mental toughness. This was further highlighted by Szymanski, “We are student athletes, not athlete students.”  

Together, those skills shape not only successful students and athletes, but future healthcare professionals ready to thrive beyond graduation. 

As Kastamo put it simply: “It’s very nice being able to prepare for the future you want while still being able to play in your sport.”