Grand Canyon University Club Sports student-athletes Megan Brodfuehrer and Jacob Martinez both got started in their respective sports, ice hockey and baseball, at a very young age. The many years spent perfecting their crafts have allowed them to step into prominent roles here at GCU, which is why they've been honored as GCU Club Sports March Student-Athletes of the Month.

Megan Brodfuehrer: Women's Ice Hockey

A native of Peoria, Megan Brodfuehrer has been playing competitive hockey for as long as she can remember and been skating since the age of four. When Megan was a senior at Peoria High School, she had multiple coaches wanting to talk to her, and offers on the table.

She was flattered by the recognition, but had her eyes set on the Grand Canyon University Women's Hockey team.

"I have enjoyed playing under such an amazing coach like Natalie Rossi my four years," said Brodfuehrer. "We have advanced so much from when I first started playing on the team my freshman year, and I cannot wait to see how we perform and advance even more in the future."
 

Brodfuehrer was an assistant captain her junior year and our captain her senior year, accumulating three postseason Western Women's Collegiate Hockey League awards along the way.

"If you look at her stats, you can see Megan's impact on the ice here at GCU," said GCU Women's Hockey Head Coach Natalie Rossi. "If you watch her play, you see the way she dominates the ice."

To Rossi, though, those components still don't highlight her best qualities. 

"Megan is a fair and strong leader who knows how to balance fun and seriousness," said Rossi. "At all times, she holds herself to the highest standard and always strives to be the best she can be."

Jacob Martinez: Club Baseball

Lopes' junior centerfielder and pitcher Jacob Martinez has been a huge part of the early season success that the GCU Club Baseball team is having. Recently transferring to GCU from Santa Barbara City College, he is shining in the GCU system.



"Jacob plays a huge role for us with his versatility," said Lopes' Head Coach Rich Warnol. "Being able to have him lead off for us in the batting order and be aggressive on the bases, and then go play great defense, is huge."

Born and raised in Ventura, California, Jacob has been around sports since the age of four. Seeing family members get drafted to play professional baseball was a huge part in fueling the desire he's always had to play ball on the big stage.

"I got this tattoo when I was 17," says Martinez, pointing to the Major League Baseball logo tattooed on his wrist. "This sport really is my dream."

The multi-faceted Martinez has an on-base percentage of .462 and a batting average of .391 for the Lopes this season. However, his highlight of the season thus far came on the pitcher's mound: a nine-inning complete-game shutout pitched against University of California San Diego.

Growing up, Martinez always wanted to pitch but was instead asked to play the outfield due to his speed.

Now, the script has flipped.

"My (GCU) coaches have consistently asked if I can pitch - even though I play in the field," said Martinez. "I think it's great. I'll help the team in any way I can, and I hope I get to show off my arm more as the year goes on."

A history major prior to transferring to GCU, Martinez plans to graduate next spring with a bachelor's degree in Sports Management.

"Right now, school is my number one priority," said Martinez. "I understand that what happens on the field can't happen if I don't get my work done in the classroom."

Martinez is a part of a Lopes' squad that has a conference record of 6-0 midway through the season and is ranked No. 3 in the National Club Baseball Association rankings- their highest ranking of the year so far.

But he's not settling for where they're at now.

"If we can continue what we're doing and stay focused, there's nothing to say we can't go get that World Series this year."