Going for Orange

Student athletes can be seen almost anywhere on the Syracuse University campus. Student athletes who have also represented their nation at the Olympic games are a rare sight.

Stefanie Marty is both. The junior economics major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, has played sports her entire life. This commitment led to her inclusion in the Swiss Olympic ice hockey team for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, as well as the 2006 squad for the Torino Winter Olympics.

"Wherever you go with the Swiss national team, you are representing something that is a big honor, but also a big responsibility," Marty said.

In Switzerland — where Marty spent her childhood — she grew up playing soccer, ice hockey and the predominantly European game of handball.

As she grew up, the now 21-year-old discovered an affinity for ice hockey.

"It's just a great sport," Marty said. "With the speed, the stick handling, you have to have the view for the game. It's just really complex and that fascinates me."

On her second trip to the Olympic games, just this past winter, Marty again represented her home country of Switzerland. While there, she matched the record for the most goals scored (nine) at an Olympics game by a female hockey player.