Eric Gilbert of Deerfield, IL: Student Athlete and Active Community Member

Eric Gilbert of Deerfield, IL is a dedicated and motivated student currently pursuing his education at Illinois Wesleyan University. He is on track to graduate in the spring of 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business, with a Marketing emphasis and English minor.

Eric Gilbert of Deerfield, IL is an accomplished written and verbal communicator who writes articles for Illinois Wesleyan University's student newspaper, The Argus.  He is also the paper's Sports Editor. He is highly interested in sports, including baseball, basketball and especially soccer; he is currently a member of the school's soccer team and has been a starter since 2013.

Eric Gilbert of Deerfield, IL is a leader by example, both on and off the field, as demonstrated by his active philanthropic work within his community, as well as his work in the classroom. He currently maintains a 3.3 grade point average.  He has been recognized for his dedication to the community and his university for being a leader. He is also a brother of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Eric Gilbert of Deerfield, IL is an all around competitor, who has played soccer since the age of five.  He competes as a starter for the school's soccer program. Although Eric Gilbert of Deerfield, IL is most experienced in the sport of soccer, he is deeply interested in all sports, including baseball and basketball. His dream job is to either work as a journalist in the field of sports writing or work for a sports team in Marketing.

Eric Gilbert of Deerfield, IL is deeply committed to making a difference in the world, while trying to better the global community. He has been involved in a number of philanthropic endeavors, including serving as a companion for a special needs child through the North Shore Special Recreation Association. In this role, he engaged and encouraged group participation, created coping strategies, implemented positive initiatives, promoted appropriate activities, and provided structure, consistency and patience.

Eric Gilbert of Deerfield, IL also founded "Lay It In for Leukemia", a two-on-two basketball tournament, whose proceeds benefited Leukemia research. This tournament is the first of its kind at Illinois Wesleyan University; all donations benefitted the Leukemia Research Foundation. He organized the tournament, encouraged campus-wide participation, developed schedules and managed donations.

For Eric Gilbert of Deerfield, IL, sports are very important. His drive to excel is evident in the classroom and on the soccer field. He was selected as the 2013 Illinois Wesleyan University soccer team "Newcomer of the Year" for his achievements and leadership.

However, Eric Gilbert of Deerfield, IL found another way to pursue his passion for sports. He is currently the Sports Editor for Illinois Wesleyan's student newspaper, The Argus. He was the first to implement a "Fantasy Sports" column; he writes on a wide variety of sports topics.