DePaul University Athletics
The Endy City: Success Measured in Books and Boots
10/23/2017 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
CHICAGO - Patient. Diligent. Persevering. Determined. Focused. These are just a few of the words that describe the intentional drive for excellence that pours from senior defender Elizabeth Endy of the DePaul women's soccer team. Carefully and methodically, Endy has taken steps one day at a time to achieve countless goals through acts of gratitude, coupled with humility, to pursue her passions of paying it forward.
Endy's perspective on success is simple in nature.
"I truly do not think that wins and losses define who you are. If I can say I've tried my best and have put in 100 percent towards what I am doing then that is success. I want to be fully committed. Being the best at anything is a task in itself, but striving for excellence no matter the cause is something many have trouble doing. Having a support system around you at a moment's notice is also impactful."
Choosing to come to DePaul in the fall of 2014 was a tough decision for Endy as the Deephaven, Minn. native would be six and half hours from home that was 420 miles away. "From an early age, my dream has always been to play college soccer. I wanted to come to a university where I thought I could be a part of something where I could have a meaningful contribution on and off the field. I spent my entire life in Minnesota and wanted to experience something new, and DePaul and the city of Chicago was that for me."
Elizabeth, who was named the 2013-14 Gatorade Girls' Soccer Player of the Year for the state of Minnesota, wasn't just a soccer star for Minnetonka High School, she was also a seven-time state champion track runner that competed in the 400 m, 800 m, 4x400 m relay, and 4x800 m relay. With the end of her collegiate soccer career just around the corner, Endy is also focus on the opportunity of possibly making a return to the track this spring and makes her debut for the Blue Demons. "I do miss running a lot more than I thought I would. I had a lot of success and have continued to stay in shape and run out of season at local tracks and on the Lakeshore trail."
While the decision to commit solely to soccer at the collegiately level was a hard decision for her to make, Endy had other motivations in her decision. "I love the team aspect and being a part of something that is bigger than 'me.' In track, you ran for yourself but in soccer you had to rely on others. There are 10 other people who rely on you to do your job and they, in turn, will do their job. If you're not having a great game, others are there to pick you up, and I thoroughly enjoy having the opportunity to do that and be that support here at DePaul."
And support is what Endy has given the Blue Demons in her four seasons on the pitch. Since making her collegiate debut against Iowa on Oct. 14, 2014, during her freshman season, Endy has been the ironman for DePaul's defensive backline where she has made 77 consecutive starts for the Blue Demons. During that time, DePaul has accumulated two BIG EAST regular season titles (2014, 2016) and a BIG EAST tournament championship (2016) while posting a 44-18-15 record.
Elizabeth scored her lone collegiate goal against Georgetown during her sophomore season on Oct. 25, 2015, to secure a 1-1 tie on Senior Day. Having the opportunity to give back to the senior class of 2015 in a special way was and always has been a desire for Endy. "Each year, I have always looked up to the senior classes before me. My freshman year, I learned so much from Rachel Pitman, and the impact she had on me carries into how I treat this year's freshman and go about things. She was always encouraging and helpful, and that's what I have always wanted to emulate in my time at DePaul. I hope that I've had a lasting impact on others and want to leave an attitude of gratitude towards future senior classes."
The DePaul community has been an extended family of sorts to Endy the last four years. Prior to coming to DePaul, Elizabeth would take holiday breaks and summer trips to Chicago to visit her mom's sister, Patti Bjork, and her uncle Bill Bjork, frequently. "It was a great comfort to know that here at DePaul I had family away family. Even though my aunt and uncle are usually at every game, it was nice to have the other players' families there to pick you up and support you when you were away from home. I enjoyed looking up into the stands and seeing Uncle Bill and his trademark DePaul hat with my jersey number 15 on the side of it. I am very thankful for their support."
Off the field, Endy's pursuit of excellence carried over into the classroom where the senior has earned three BIG EAST All-Academic team recognitions for carrying a 4.00 grade point average. She is one of the top students in DePaul's Driehaus College of Business as Endy is on track to earn a dual degree in honors accounting and finance next spring. "Elizabeth does as any other 'A' student does; she works hard, blends in seamlessly, and shows consistent determination," said Professor John McEnroe, director of the Strobel Accounting Honors Program and DePaul's serving Faculty Athletic Representative to the Big East Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. "If Elizabeth didn't have her future job secured with Deloitte, she would be gobbled up quickly by other competing firms. I believe she is a wonderful person who is a respectful and independent young woman that is determined to be successful in whatever challenge she faces."
As McEnroe points out, Endy has already secured a full-time position with Deloitte's Chicago-based firm after graduation. Deloitte is the brand under which tens of thousands of dedicated professionals in independent firms throughout the world collaborate to provide audit & assurance, consulting, risk and financial advisory, risk management, tax, and related services to select clients. This past summer, Endy spent time interning with the firm and was offered a position by Deloitte, upon graduation, serving as a consultant.
Endy's parents, Ann and David, have cherished the opportunity to assist Elizabeth's pursuit of excellence from an early age. "Since she was a kid, Elizabeth has had a competitive spirit about her," said her father, David. "Ann and I were naïve about her talents and success and wanted to be parents that were enablers, giving our children the resources to face their challenges. It has been a great joy to watch her succeed and have those moments where we've set back and just have been in awe of her drive and passion for life." Elizabeth's mother Ann calls Endy her hero, "She has a huge heart and shows compassion in today's world that needs it. She is the most optimistic, positive, flexible, and genuine person I know. Her temperament has guided her well, and I couldn't be any prouder as a parent."
Moving ahead, Endy continues to make an impact on the Blue Demons and strives to pursue excellence daily but wants to pass it on to the next generation of DePaul women's soccer players.
"To be successful, you are going to have to put in the work. In order to make it worth it, you have to try your best, build relationships, and trust that the outcome will be what it needs to be when it happens. At the end of the day, whether it's on the field or off the field, having, growing, nurturing and building relationships with those around you is the most important and impact opportunity you have to make a difference. Set the bar high and know that its always obtainable."
