Today's Chanticleer Alumni Spotlight showcases Rachel Ferrara, a member of the Coastal Carolina lacrosse program from 2012-16. One of the members of the inaugural women's lacrosse team in 2013, Ferrara played in 35 games over her four-year career, including making 20 starts. 

She totaled 48 points on 38 goals and 10 assists during her Chanticleer career, which included a shots on goal percentage of 89.6 percent overall. She also gathered 28 ground balls, caused 14 turnovers, and won 11 draw controls.

To this date, she still holds the single-season freshmen record for shots on goal percentage at 90.9 percent and ranks fourth on the single-season freshmen records list in goals with 24 in 2013.

In the classroom, Ferrara was a three-time member of the Big South Presidential Honor Roll (2013, 2014, and 2015).

For more information on Rachel, please continue reading the Q&A below.

1. Where are you living now and what are you doing?
I'm living in Charlotte, N.C. For the past two years, I've been working for a corporate health and wellness company called TargetCare, as the head of Business Development. I teach pilates-based group fitness classes at two local studios as well - Hilliard Studio Method and Sculpthouse.

2. Did you know you always wanted to do what you are doing professionally?
No. It took me a little while to discover that this career path was an option. I always knew I wanted a job that I was passionate about, but it took me a little while to uncover my passion for health and well-being. Being a collegiate athlete, battling an injury, and taking courses in health promotion and public health helped me discover this throughout my junior and senior years at Coastal.

3. How did your time as a student and student-athlete at Coastal Carolina prepare you for your career and life after college?
My time as a student-athlete at CCU was truly priceless. The lessons I learned on the field directly translate to my work as a young professional today. I was exposed to a good bit of adversity throughout my lacrosse career and if it wasn't for the challenges I faced then, I wouldn't have been equipped to handle life after college, and I ultimately wouldn't have developed into the person I am now. I learned to stay positive and hungry for constant growth regardless of the circumstances. Entering the real world after college isn't necessarily a walk in the park. It took me a few years to land my job of choice, but no matter what job I had, I always focused on growing. I learned the importance of a strong work ethic and a resilient drive to succeed. I've been able to carry this same drive and competitive nature in my career and it has helped me progress into promotions in my career that I would have otherwise been "under-qualified" for.

4. When was the last time you had been to campus? How has the campus changed?
This past February for baseball's opening weekend (for my fiancé to visit old teammates before he went off to spring training). I didn't walk around much, but it strangely still seems familiar—like it was just yesterday that we were all there!

5. What originally attracted you to Coastal as a student-athlete?
The beach 😉!

6. What are some of your most memorable moments from your time as a student-athlete at Coastal?
Passing the dreadful run tests (110's)! And the few really, really hard practices we had my freshman and sophomore years where we struggled through conditioning runs and we were faced with giving up versus pushing through. Experiencing coming out on the other side made some of the best memories that my teammates and I look back on and laugh hysterically.

7. How often do you keep in touch with your former teammates?
A few of us have stayed very close and we luckily have been able to get together for exciting life events like weddings, bachelorettes, engagement parties, etc But we all live somewhat far away so it can be a challenge!

8. What are some things you enjoy doing in your free time?
I don't have a ton of "free time" because when I'm not working my full-time job I'm usually teaching fitness classes, but when I do, you can find me getting my own workout in at a local fitness studio (pilates, runs, yoga, etc.), laying out in the sun, cooking healthy meals, or trying out a new restaurant with friends in Charlotte.

9. What advice would you have for the current student-athletes at Coastal?
What you choose to do today will absolutely reflect on who you become a few years from now. Have fun but remember to work hard.

• Don't coast—learn how to push yourself to get comfortable in the discomfort.
• Enjoy the process and try to stay present in the journey.
• Focus on the things that are within your control and do your very best. Believe it or not, results won't matter a few years from now—whether you started every game, lead the conference in goals, or warmed the bench five games in a row—what matters is your attitude and how you face adversity along the way.

To view other Chanticleer Alumni Spotlight Features, CLICK HERE.