STATESBORO, Ga. - Dr. Lindsey Blom, formerly Ms. Lindsey Grossman, was a two-time first-team All-Southern Conference selection during her time at Georgia Southern University. A Co-Captain for the Eagles in 1997 and 1998, GS holds a special place in Blom's heart and has given her plenty of great memories, including meeting her Husband and former Georgia Southern Men's Soccer player, Tim Blom.

"My husband, Tim Blom, was a member of the GSU men's soccer team at the time. Our relationship grew especially strong after working a summer of soccer camps together. Our common passion surrounding soccer and working hard in the classroom continued to connect us."

Both Lindsey and her husband Tim were named GSU Scholar Athletes of the Year in 1999. The two coached in the local soccer leagues together, bringing them closer together. In the Summer of 1999, Tim proposed to Lindsey in Sweet Heart Circle, after sending her on a scavenger hunt around Statesboro to the couples favorite places.

Lindsey started every game during her four year career at Georgia Southern, earning her two first-team All-Southern Conference selections. She earned first-team Academic All-America honors in 1998, before earning GSU Female Scholar Athlete of the Year honors in 1999. Graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Psychology, Blom was a recipient of the 40 Under 40 award in 2014, as well as being inducted in the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.

"Surviving preseason and long road trips was a great accomplishment. I am also very honored to have received a 40 Under 40 award in 2014, as well as an induction into the GSU Athletics Hall of Fame that same year."

The 40 Under 40 award goes to prominent graduates who have made an impact in business, leadership, community, educational and/or philanthropic endeavors. Blom credits her passion and success to her time as a student-athlete at Georgia Southern, helping her find that passion in using a sport she loves to help people and communities flourish.

"My time at GSU prepared me to find passion in using a sport that I loved to help people and communities flourish. While I was at Southern, I coached in the local soccer club as well as at Bulloch Academy, where I grew my love for working with youth and using sport experiences to help them thrive."

Dr. Blom is currently a Professor of Sport & Exercise Psychology at Ball State University, researching the use of sport as a mechanism of peace-building in developing areas, both domestically and internationally. She is the director of Ball State's graduate program in sport and exercise psychology and develop, implement, and evaluate positive youth programs that use soccer and other sports to help reduce interpersonal and community-based conflict.

"I have done work in Jordan, Tajikistan, India, Liberia and Haiti. I am also the Faculty Athletics Representative, which is a very interesting full-circle experience from my time as a student-athlete. My time at GSU prepared me to find passion in using a sport I love to help people and communities flourish."

Every former and current student-athlete can tell you that during their time in their respected sport, they have made countless memories. The one thing that makes Georgia Southern great is continuing those memories past those playing days and celebrating the current athletes that play during alumni weekend's and other vacations.

"What is so great about my memories of Georgia Southern is that I continue to make memories with visits back to campus for alumni events, football games, celebration and biannual vacations with five of my teammates and several of their husbands who also played soccer at Southern. About 25 of us, including kids, get together in Florida every other year for a week. Six former women's soccer players and four former men's soccer players. I think my favorite memory while I was at Southern was watching Adrian Peterson and his teammates win a National Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee."

What is some advice that Dr. Blom has for current or future student-athletes? Live in the moment and building those relationships. As a hint for all athletes out there get to know your Athletic Faculty Representative!

"Live in the moment! Build relationships, try new things and be thankful every day for the opportunities and challenges presented to you. Also get to know your Faculty Athletic Representative!"