As the year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of NCAA Division III winds down, the final installment of Illinois Wesleyan University athletic department's #DIII50 series spotlights Emma Thorman and Eddie Cisneros. 

Emma Thorman, one of the most decorated women's golfers in Illinois Wesleyan history, and rising senior football defensive back Eddie Cisneros may not have all that much in common at first glance. Thorman hails from Macomb, Ill., while Cisneros came to IWU by way of the Chicago suburbs, however both found their place in the Illinois Wesleyan Athletic Communications department. Thorman and Cisneros are a tremendous example of the endless opportunities presented through a Division III experience as each used a work study job as a vessel to pursue, and perhaps uncover, their passions. 

Writing Her Own Story, Along with Many Others
For Thorman, it all started with a group text. Knowing she had a background working with Macomb's local newspaper and that the athletic communications department was searching for student workers for the year ahead, IWU head women's golf coach Patrick Freeman introduced Thorman and Katie Gonzales, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications. 

From there, Thorman became a fixture in the athletic communications department and at just about every Titan athletics event her schedule allowed her to attend. An accomplished student-athlete who reeled in College Sports Communicators First Team Academic All-America, Women's Golf Coaches Association All-America, and College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Women's Golfer of the Year accolades throughout her career, Thorman did just about everything as a four-year member of the department.

"Working in athletic communications has opened so many doors for me that I didn't even know existed," Thorman shared. "I've been given so many opportunities to learn various skills that will benefit me in my future career."

A secondary education and english major, Thorman used her knack for storytelling to publish and produce countless stories for iwusports.com during her four-year stint in the office. She took the lead on a Veteran's Day feature on Titan athletics alumni in the armed forces as a sophomore, before taking her talents on the radio as the analyst for the IWU women's basketball broadcasts as a senior. Thriving in the traditional aspects of athletic communications, Thorman served as the official statistician for countless events and assisted heavily in the writing of previews, game notes, and recaps. 

"Emma has been a key part of our team over the past four years," Gonzales reflected. "She is always willing to take on a new challenge, regardless of how intimidating it may seem, and was a great leader for our other student workers. Emma's excitement and passion for the work we do as well as her hardworking disposition will undoubtedly lead her to an incredible career."

As a senior, Thorman joined Gonzales and graduate assistants Kelly Carlson and Meredith Mahoney as volunteers at the "First Four" - the official start of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The group assisted the staff and volunteers from the University of Dayton over a three-day span, taking on various tasks for one of the premiere events in college athletics.

"The chance to volunteer at the First Four of March Madness was truly a dream come true," Thorman reflected. "Witnessing first hand what goes into making such a large-scale event run, while working alongside such experienced individuals was an incredible learning experience I will never forget."

This past March, Throman was selected as one of eight Division III students to attend CSC Convention in Las Vegas as part of the NCAA Division III CSC Student Program. The program allowed Thorman to attend convention for the second straight year, but this time partnered her with a veteran athletic communications professional and allowed her to attend student-specific programming that included meeting NCAA Division III and CSC leadership.

"I am very thankful to the NCAA and the CSC Student Program selection committee for allowing me to make meaningful connections with my peers, mentor (John Painter), and other amazing people in the athletic communications world," Thorman added. "CSC Convention is such an incredible networking experience, and attending is especially valuable so early in my career."

Thorman, who graduated from IWU in May, will pursue her master's degree at Northern Illinois University. There, she will compete as a member of the Huskies' women's golf program, while working in the athletic communications department.

The One Behind the Lens
Cisneros joined the athletic communications department after his freshman football season and has been a pivotal part of the evolution of the department's social media channels. With a knack for the creative side, Cisneros has filmed or photographed nearly every one of IWU's 26 athletic programs since taking on his student worker role in 2021.

"Working in athletic communications has helped me connect with so many amazing people," Cisneros shared. "From the amazing IWU team to people working in professional sports, it has brought me opportunities I never would've imagined coming into IWU."

Cisneros is far too humble to brag on the role he plays within athletic communications, but be assured it is a big one. After spending his first two years working alongside former student worker Carson Schaefer, Cisneros has taken the reins as IWU's go-to student videographer. The rising senior has been a key part of IWU's video efforts as part of Titan men's basketball's run to the Elite Eight in 2022, countless CCIW Championships, and numerous school record-breaking performances. In addition to capturing the video at games and events, Cisneros has also produced hype videos and assisted with recruiting materials for several IWU athletic programs.

"Many around Illinois Wesleyan athletics have seen the impact Eddie has had on our department and our student-athletes, but few realize how much work he puts in," Gonzales said. "Eddie has captured some of the greatest moments in Titan athletics over the past three years. His creative mind has pushed our department to grow in so many ways with his work on intro videos, highlights, and his mentorship to our younger student workers."

The Rosemont, Ill. native combined his passions, creative media and football, this past spring when he volunteered at the NFL Draft in Detroit. 

"Being a part of the NFL Draft content team was great," Cisneros shared. "I met athletic communications people from different schools, saw Barry Sanders and Amon-Ra St. Brown, and worked in stations with the Heisman Trophy and the Vince Lombardi Trophy. It was a really cool experience both personally and professionally as I visited Detroit for the first time in my life. I thought the NFL did a great job of portraying the culture of the city, while also emphasizing the fan experience."

Outside of sports, Cisneros is heavily involved in the Spanish and Latino Student Association (SALSA), where he has used his skills to help promote the club and its events through photography and videography. Proud of his Mexican-American heritage, Cisneros was interviewed by the CCIW about his identity, perspective, and experiences as a Division III football student-athlete in the fall of 2022.

NCAA Division III stands on three pillars - Discover, Develop, and Dedicate - and as the 50th anniversary celebration comes to an end, it is hard to find two student-athletes who embody the concepts more than Thorman and Cisneros. Together, the two have pursued their interests and passions in the classroom, in competition, and professionally. Their experiences as student workers have encouraged them to evolve, something the two of them have embraced as they have participated in countless activities outside of their rigorous academic responsibilities.

Through their time as Titan student-athletes, athletic communication student workers, and IWU community members, Thorman and Cisneros have dedicated themselves to not only doing well, but doing good.