(Editor's Note:  This is part of a series of stories of the RUDY Award finalists.  Two winners – one male and one female – will be announced at the conclusion of the end of the R.UD.Y.S. Awards Banquet on Monday.  

R.U.D.Y.S. stands for Recognition and celebration of University of Dayton student-athletes Year-end Showcase.  It is hosted by the UD Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Dayton Athletics administration for the student-athletes to recognize individuals and teams for their accomplishments this past year.
 
These stories were written by students in Dr. Haozho Pu's HS 353 Sports Media class.)

Written by Mia Parise, Alyssa Smith, Lauren Whitt

Nick Wissman is a current senior marketing major planning to graduate this upcoming May. Being a hometown kid, he grew up in Dayton while attending Chaminade Julienne High School. The right-handed pitcher is most definitely an unofficial captain for the baseball team as he continually and consistently proves both his skills and his commitment to the team. Wissman's commitment to the team is proven as his seven career saves in a season is currently tied for sixth in the program. Additionally, his six saves this season is sixth-most in a single season. While he only has minimal time away from the field, he enjoys spending his free time playing video games with his teammates.  

Q: What does being a Flyer mean to you?
A: "A good amount. I mean growing up in Dayton, I am very familiar with the university. I followed the baseball team for a long time. I came to all the summer camps since I was 9 or 10 so I am very familiar with the school and everything that goes into being a Flyer. It's cool to be nominated for something like this, but I am proud of it but it's just a reflection of the people I have been surrounded by." 

Q: What is one of the most influential moments in your athletic career?
A: "I don't know if I can really say specifically a moment, but I would just say my first couple years of being here I really wasn't good enough to play. I had to learn from all the older guys and put in the work even though I wasn't really getting the opportunities. Eventually, you put in all that work and finally get the chance and it ends up working out. I would just say the adversity I had to go through and now here we are." 

Q: Balancing sports and academics can be challenging. How do you organize your time effectively to ensure success in both areas?
A: "From as early as grade school up into high school my parents were always strict about staying disciplined with my scholarly priorities. By creating this habit, I have successfully stayed on top of both my school and athletics. I believe by having discipline, time management comes and therefore it has been very doable for me both on and off the field." 

Q: How has being a student-athlete contributed to your personal growth and development?
A: "Dealing with adversity is something all athletes face, but in the end, it leads to stronger personal growth. I learned the most about adversity through baseball and the grind of trying to work your way to the top. Adversity taught me I had to quickly develop ways to deal with the adversity and respond to it and therefore grew me as a person both on and off the field."

Q: What are your future goals and aspirations after graduating from UD?
A: "Hopefully it is pro ball, and ideally there is a team out there who wants me and who would like to give me a shot. But for right now honestly, it is going with the flow. Hopefully, someone gets me and I'm just going to roll with that."

PREVIOUS STORIES
Casey Bogues -- Track & Field
Destiny Bohanon -- Basketball
Connor Bruce -- Tennis 
Abby Carter -- Cross Country/Track & Field
Alicia Donley -- Soccer
Calan Gizelbach -- Cross Country
Elizabeth Hamilton -- Tennis
DaRon Holmes II -- Basketball 
Adam Jones --- Cross Country
Joe Lansing -- Football 
Annika Roush -- Rowing 
Lauren Santiago -- Track & Field
Emma Schutter -- Softball