For many college athletes, leaving home is part of the experience. At Augustana College, some are choosing a different path. Instead of going far, a strong group of local athletes from the Quad Cities is staying close, continuing their careers in the same communities that shaped them, while stepping into a new level of competition.
Local athletes aren’t just filling roster spots; they’re helping define the identity of Augustana College athletics. With familiar faces in the stands and deep ties to the area, they bring a unique sense of pride and connection, proving that success at the college level doesn’t always require leaving home behind.
While staying close to home can be a comfort, for many of these athletes, the decision wasn’t just about proximity, but also about finding the right fit. Balancing academics, athletics and long-term goals, athletes such as senior volleyball player Grace Gustafson approached their college search with the same mindset of weighing opportunities rather than simply choosing what was familiar.
“As I was looking around at different colleges, especially colleges within the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), I realized that Augustana had the best program that I wanted to be in, and their athletics were highly competitive,” Gustafson said. “Even though it is close to home, it’s still the best program I could have chosen for myself, my major and what I wanted to do in life.”
Beyond the impact on their athletic careers, staying close to home has also shaped the day-to-day college experience for many local athletes. With the demands of balancing academics and athletics, having a built-in support system nearby can make a meaningful difference, offering a sense of stability that isn’t always available to those farther from home.
For some, such as sophomore basketball player Audrey Erickson, that familiarity becomes an important way to reset and recharge outside of their sport.
“It’s definitely been good just because if I’m ever feeling super stressed, or if I need help with anything, I could always just go around home and talk to my mom, or my friends that stayed local for college,” Erickson said. “I could always go see them, and it’s kind of refreshing just to go back to some of that familiarity.”
The presence of local athletes not only impacts Augustana internally, but it also plays a key role in strengthening its connection to the Quad Cities community. With deep roots in the area, many athletes take on responsibilities that extend beyond competition, helping build relationships with the next generation of players.
Through camps, outreach and involvement in local programs, these athletes create a visible and meaningful link between the college and the community it represents. In doing so, they’re not only promoting Augustana athletics but also showing young athletes what’s possible close to home.
“We have a really big role in the community,” Gustafson said. “We host a lot of spring camps, which have been really great at building that bridge between the young athletes and college athletes. We also have a lot of the girls on the team who coach for other local club teams, which has been really nice just getting the Augustana name out there and showing them that we’re good athletes, but also good people and good role models in the community.”
As they continue to compete, mentor and represent the Quad Cities, their presence reinforces the simple idea that you don’t have to leave home to make a lasting impact.
