Geri Merrell-Seif wears many hats in Athletics. She’s the assistant women’s lacrosse coach and works in business operations and ticketing.
She grew up in Battle Creek, Mich. and played lacrosse at Olivet College, a small liberal arts school in Olivet, Mich.
Geri Merrell-Seif and her husband, Corey, with their pitbull, Lenny, on a hike at Taughannock Falls State Park in Trumansburg, N.Y.
She and her husband, Corey, enjoy hiking and exploring, especially around the waterfalls in New York’s Finger Lakes Region. The couple has three dogs: Lenny, a pitbull; Bonne, a bugg; and Mochi, a pug.
FIRST APP YOU LOOK AT IN THE MORNING:
Definitely my alarm clock. I work at Sportime in Rotterdam, and I’m the building opener, so when my alarm is blaring at me at 5:20 a.m. I better be looking at that alarm (trying not to hit snooze).
ONE BOOK YOU HAVE READ MULTIPLE TIMES:
I don’t like to read books multiple times. When the surprise is gone and I’m able to guess what happens, then I’m just bored with it. I was tempted to re-read “Where the Crawdads Sing” but again…if you read the book…you know.
BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED:
I’m not sure who or where I heard this from but my favorite advice is, “You get more flies with honey than with vinegar.” I practice it every day and it has turned situations right around!
FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS:
If I’m hungry – Reamer. If I want to work out – Alumni Gym. If we have a game that day – Frank Bailey Field. Let’s go U!
GO-TO BREAKFAST:
I had this amazing place back in Grand Rapids called Fruition that I’d treat myself with their acai bowls. I haven’t found a good enough replacement around here so I had to get creative and make my own. Luckily, I was able to find the acai base in the store and then I’m able to doctor it up and replicate the one from back home pretty well.
FAVORITE PODCAST:
I don’t listen to podcasts but I do have a couple of stations on Pandora that I listen to (I get so much crap for using Pandora – but it’s free!). Right now it’s playing Anne Wilson, best combination of country and gospel music.
ONE SKILL YOU WISH YOU HAD:
The ability to say the right things at the right time. When someone is feeling down or when I’m coaching, I feel like I can’t get the right words out.
LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT YOU:
I’m a Michigander! I moved to the area at the end of 2021 for the job I have at Union. My husband and I used to live in Grand Rapids. We were 20 minutes from Lake Michigan so I’m missing the sunsets over the lake. We enjoy hiking with our dogs so if you have any amazing hiking trails, let me know!
THREE DINNER PARTY GUESTS (living or deceased): Jesus would be my first choice. I’ve been watching ‘The Chosen’ and Jonathan Roumie plays Jesus’ role so well that it makes me wish I was walking and talking with Jesus in the flesh. My other two would be my mom and dad, don’t worry they’re alive I just miss them.
FIRST CONCERT:
I think it was O-Town? Think of N’Sync and Backstreet Boys and then take it down a couple of notches in popularity.