Phoenix, Arizona – October 10, 2024 – Grand Canyon University Club Pickleball's Danielle Halpin and Grand Canyon University Men's Club Soccer player Dylan Veigel both display a love for leadership on top of their on-court/field talents, making them the GCU Club Sports Student-Athletes of the Month for September.
 
Danielle Halpin: Pickleball
 


For some athletes, fitting into leadership roles is something that only happens when they are pushed by their coaches or teammates. For GCU senior Danielle Halpin, leadership comes naturally.
 
As one of the top players on the GCU Club Pickleball team, Halpin initially found herself in a position to help the club by simply providing pointers at practice. Eventually, her role grew into helping plan travel for the team, organizing merchandise and gear, and joining the GCU Club Sports Leadership program.
 
"At first, I was just willing to do whatever the team needed to keep things growing, but being able to go to the leadership class has really helped me grow as a leader," said Halpin. "The speakers that we get to hear from always have such insightful things to say."
 
Combine those responsibilities with her prospective elementary teaching degree and it quickly became clear: Halpin wanted to coach. She spends extra time coaching the 'club' team, which consists of the members who possess varying skill levels and don't travel.
 
"Helping coach [pickleball] has gone hand in hand with degree which is awesome," said Halpin. "I've been able to get so much more experience teaching, managing people, etc."
 
Still, the ultra-competitive player in the Huntington Beach, California, native came out as part of the group that just won the Association of Pickleball Players Collegiate West Regional Qualifier and punched a ticket to APP Collegiate Nationals in the spring. 
 
Though she seems like a natural on the court now, Halpin's time on the court started with playing tennis.
 
"Growing up, I played a bunch of sports, but because of my dad, I fell in love with tennis pretty early," said Halpin. "Later on, my mom, who loved playing pickleball, pushed me to give it a try and I came to love that, too."
 
With the desire to attend a Christian college, and with a few family friends at her local church recommending the school, Grand Canyon University felt like the perfect choice for Halpin, who noticed after enrolling that there was a pickleball club on campus.
 
"Funny enough, I almost didn't attend the GCU Pickleball informational meeting my freshman year," said Halpin. "Looking back, I'm so thankful that I took the chance to join the team. I lost the love for tennis a bit, and the pickleball team has been such a big part of my college experience so far."
 
Halpin, who graduates from GCU (in three years) this upcoming spring, hopes to begin teaching elementary school shortly thereafter, though she will leave the club team with hope for continued growth.
 
"I'm so excited about the growth of pickleball - both on campus and around the valley," said Halpin. "I want to see the players who are growing the program continue to grow and leave a legacy."
 
Dylan Veigel: Men's Soccer


 
Dylan Veigel's journey with GCU Men's Club Soccer reflects not only his passion for the game but his evolution as a leader. As a senior captain and starter, he has embraced his role with both enthusiasm and unwavering commitment. 
 
Veigel, originally from Chicago, Illinois, attended Christian Liberty Academy, where he played a variety of sports. However, he found his love for soccer at a young age. 
 
"My parents encouraged me to try everything, but I picked soccer around age five or six," said Veigel.
 
Standing at an impressive six-foot-five, Veigel's presence on the field as a center back is hard to miss. It's his work off the field – such running the team's fitness regimen - that truly sets him apart. 
 
"Running our fitness program has been very rewarding and I've learned a lot," said Veigel. "We focus on basic movements and recovery because we know it will build our strength from the ground up."
 
Veigel's commitment to the team extends beyond physical training.
 
"Each captain plays a completely different role," Veigel said. "I've found my role to be relational and focused on the individuals on the team." 
 
The focus on team chemistry has clearly paid off. Under Veigel's leadership, the Lopes are ranked 15^th nationally in midseason United States College Club Soccer rankings - the highest position the program has ever achieved.
 
"Dylan's the one doing all the little things that make a big difference," said Lopes' Head Coach Damian Tule. "This is our first time being ranked nationally, and Dylan has been instrumental in that success - both on and off the field."  
 
Veigel's love for the sport - combined with the inspiration he drew from coaches growing up - sparked an interest in coaching, leading him to volunteer with the women's club soccer team at GCU beginning last year. Moved by this experience, he further pursued a minor in athletic coaching where he learned more about the technical parts of the game and how to apply that directly on the pitch. 
 
"It really changed my perspective on the game." Veigel said. "It helped me gain a better understanding of my positioning on defense, which was unfamiliar to me, having only played offense before." 
 
Veigel is focused on building a career in the sports industry. He will graduate from GCU in the spring with a bachelor's degree in Sports Management and Athletic Coaching.
 
"After I graduate, I would love to find a place with a strong soccer community where I can also focus on developing my skills as a coach."