college graduation cermony

Graduate Success Stories: Amelia, Kyle and Kim

Three International Student-Athletes' Academic and Athletic Achievements

The end of the school year is here, and with it comes one of the most emotional moments in a student’s journey: graduation. At Keystone Sports, we’re proud to see our student-athletes complete their college careers. We’re also very excited to learn about their expectations moving forward and what the future holds for them.  

We’ve spoken with some of our Keystone Sports graduates, and their stories are ones of success, hard work, and resilience. Their inspiring stories are proof of what can be achieved through effort, dedication, and determination. 

Amelia Lane

Central Michigan University | NCAA Division I | Field Hockey

Amelia Lane from Worcester, United Kingdom, had an impressive career at Central Michigan University. She was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team in her first year in college, NFHCA Scholar of Distinction, and NFHCA National Academic Honors for all four years she was at CMU. Amelia also won the Teammate of the Year award. 

The recent graduate with a degree in Business Administration and General Management now plans to move back to the UK. She has already secured a job as a supervisor at The Fish Hotel (Farncombe Estate), a luxury hotel in the Cotswolds. This will be an exciting step toward pursuing her desired career in hospitality management and operations. 

When asked about some advice she would give to someone considering becoming a student-athlete in the US, she doesn’t hesitate. “Be prepared to work hard! Enjoy the small moments with your teammates—time will fly by, and these are the moments you’ll remember forever. What you put into things is what you’ll get out of it, so give it 100%, and you won’t regret it!!” 

Student athlete Amelia Lane graduating

Kyle Tideswell

North American University | NAIA | Soccer 

Soccer player Kyle Tideswell from England studied Interdisciplinary Studies at North American University while playing college soccer in Texas. During his time in the United States, Kyle enjoyed plenty of success on the field. He helped his team win two conference championships and one regional championship, and he was also named Most Improved Player at North American University. 

After graduating, Kyle hopes to continue his education by studying for a master’s degree at the University of Football Business. He is also interested in building a career in soccer coaching and player recruitment, helping young athletes achieve their goals just as he did. 

Looking back on his student-athlete experience, Kyle says the best part was meeting lifelong friends and getting the chance to explore the United States. His advice for anyone thinking about becoming a student-athlete in America is simple: “Explore as much as you can of the USA.” 

Kyle would highly recommend the student-athlete experience to others and is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in the world of soccer. 

student athlete kyle tideswell graduating

Kim Auerswald

East Carolina University | NCAA Division I | Tennis 

After moving from Germany to the U.S., Kim Auerswald started her bachelor’s degree at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. What Kim probably couldn’t imagine was what those four years of playing tennis and studying Sports Studies & Communications would hold for her.  

Kim combined elite academics with consistent leadership and service. She earned Summa Cum Laude honors (3.9+ GPA), received the department’s Outstanding Graduate Award, and made the Chancellor’s List with a 4.0 GPA across multiple semesters. On top of this she was also named to the All-Academic Team every year from 2022/23 to 2025/26.  

Beyond athletics, Kim was repeatedly recognized for her community impact, earning the ITA Community Service Team Award twice and the ECU Athletics Team Community Service Award three consecutive years. She was also inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, recognized as Outstanding Student in Social Media & Strategic Communication, and completing the First Pirate LEAD Leadership Academy. 

For someone who considers becoming a student-athlete, Kim shares her best advice: “It is completely normal to feel intimidated about moving to the U.S., but take the step anyway, because some of the most rewarding experiences, personal growth, and lifelong connections come from pushing yourself beyond what feels comfortable.” 

After completing her master’s program in Sport Management, Kim looks forward to pursuing a successful career in the sports industry – more specifically within the intercollegiate athletics operations. 

Student athlete Kim Auerswald graduating

Turn Your Ambition Into a Student-Athlete Experience

At Keystone Sports, we are excited to see what the future holds for our student-athletes. Their inspiring stories show journeys filled with ambitious achievements, and we are proud to see them succeed both academically and athletically. We have been honored to celebrate their achievements throughout their careers in the U.S, and today we are proud to celebrate the great accomplishment of graduating after years of hard work and dedication. 

If you also want to live the experience of being a student-athlete in the United States, fill out our free evaluation form! Our experts are at your disposal, and we will be delighted to help you with whatever your path may be. 

Share this article:

WhatsApp
Facebook
LinkedIn
Email
Paulina Romo

About the author

Paulina Romo

Paulina Romo, Communications Manager at Keystone Sports, holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and has a background in equestrian sports, specializing in dressage. Shaped by international experience gained from work and studies in Sweden, South Korea, Germany, and Spain, Paulina brings a diverse blend of marketing skills and perspectives to her role.

More related articles

US College Soccer Scouting Day · Northampton.

UK | April 26

Ready to take an important step towards a football scholarship in the USA? Then Keystone Sports College Soccer Scouting Day is the event for you! On April 26 at Spencer Mill Football Club in Northampton, we dedicate a full day for footballers who want to get a better understanding of the US college pathway, showcase their talent, and get evaluated by experts.