Nick Kosko is a former Egg Harbor Township High School football player and wrestler who is an 18-year-old freshman at Rutgers University studying journalism and media. He will be reporting on college campus life throughout the school year. If you know of a former Cape-Atlantic League athlete who is playing college sports, please email any story ideas to sully@acglorydays.com. Mia Tomkins is a junior midfielder on the Saint Joseph’s University field hockey team and a graduate of Ocean City High School. She was a three-year starter at Ocean City and was named All-South Jersey, Cape-Atlantic League and Press of Atlantic City First Team in 2011. Tomkins was part of the Group 3 state title squad in 2009 and also graduated as a member of the National Honor Society and was in the top 10 in her class. While at Saint Joseph’s, Tomkins, a Marmora resident majoring in food marketing, appeared in 15 games in 2013 and started nine. She was part of the Atlantic 10 Conference’s Commissioner’s and SJU Athletic Director’s honor rolls and named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad. This year, she also earned a scholarship from the Network of Executive Women and took part in the NEW Leadership Summit, which was held in Atlanta in October. NEW seeks to foster the growth of female leaders in the consumer products and retail industry, according to St. Joseph’s athletic website, www.sjuhawks.com. Tomkins also worked as an intern with the Campbell Soup Company this past summer. Kosko recently caught up with Tomkins to discuss field hockey, her future plans, and cheesesteaks. Kosko: What does it mean to you to be able to continue your field hockey career at the collegiate level? Tomkins: I really love the sport and I always thought it would be awesome to go college and play at the same time. Mostly, I wanted to continue playing because of the passion I have for field hockey. Kosko: Was field hockey your biggest decision when determining a school to attend? During her high school field hockey career at Ocean City, Mia Tomkins was an All-South Jersey selection and a member of the National Honor Society. During her high school field hockey career at Ocean City, Mia Tomkins was an All-South Jersey selection and a member of the National Honor Society. Tomkins: It was a contributing factor, but I chose Saint Joseph’s because I really loved the school. If I ever got injured while playing, I wanted to make sure I was going to a school where I was comfortable. Kosko: What’s the best part about attending St. Joseph’s? Tomkins: There are so many things. I love field hockey because it’s like my family away from home. But just being on campus makes you feel like you’re a part of a close-knit community because we are a smaller school. Kosko: How about the food? Is that any good? Tomkins: (Laughs) The food is actually pretty good. Philly is pretty close so we have cheesesteaks. Kosko: Speaking of food, you’re majoring in food marketing. What kind of career plans do you have in mind? Tomkins: I interned at Campbell’s Soup Company working in sales. I really enjoy it. I would hope to be with a big food company and working with their sales. Hopefully there is the possibility of getting into some high marketing position. Kosko: You’ll be a senior next year. Do you think you’ll be playing after college? Tomkins: Most adult women’s leagues are kind of far, but hopefully there will be a recreation league wherever I end up after school. Even if I don’t play after college, I would love to stay connected with the Saint Joseph’s field hockey program. Kosko: What are some of your other interests outside of your major and sport? Tomkins: At school, I’m involved in the City Bells, which is an A-cappella group. We also have a co-ed business fraternity and it is great for the social aspect of school. I’ve learned so much about professionalism from that. I’m also involved the Network of Executive Women and received a scholarship from them. I love the purpose because it promotes women’s leadership, especially in the consumer packaged goods retail industry. Kosko: What do you find yourself doing when you’re not in season for field hockey and not stressing over final exams yet? Tomkins: I spend a lot of time with my family because a lot of them are nearby. I love to attend a lot of basketball games. I try to spend a good amount of time with friends because college will be over in a blink of an eye. Also, around Christmas time, I try to go into center city Philadelphia and go ice skating. Kosko: You’ve received numerous academic awards. How in the world do you manage a Division I sport and keep your grades so high? Tomkins: It involves a lot of time management. I took a lot of AP classes in high school, which I think prepared me for college. When I’m in season, the structure of my schedule tells me that if I don’t study after practice and classes, I’ll fall behind. Kosko: Any advice for young athletes looking to start the college selection process? Tomkins: I would say they should definitely choose a school they love, especially if they play sports in college, because you never know what will happen with that sport. Whether you get hurt or you’re the star of the team, its unpredictable. Being a Division I athlete is almost like a job, so you really have to love the sport and competition. I love playing so much so it was always worth it to me.