Marshall Magazine Spring 2022

Green ever

and extremely nervous at the same time. I did not want to be the defender who gave away the $1 million prize, so I knew I had to step up to the plate. The contestant ended up getting to the fifth obstacle where I overtook him on a rock-climbing wall that was located at the end of a swim ming pool. I would like to know what my heart rate was during the race because I believe it was the most nervous I have been in my entire life.” That moment was amicrocosm

Chris, I remember vividly Coach taking a right turn on red and I was instantly in shock,” Chapman said with a laugh. “Obviously driving on the opposite side of the road took me a while to get used to. Still to this day I go to get into my vehicle to drive, only to realize I have opened the passenger side door. There were several examples of things like that from the dairy products — the cheese is very yellow

here — to the portion sizes. One piece of advice I got from family and friends before coming to the USA was to eat half of what they serve in restaurants, and they were not kidding. “In terms of culture shock, over all it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. West Virginia shares a lot of similarities with New Zealand, in particular the south island where I lived. The people are friendly and there are lots of mountains and the weather is seasonal. I really did feel at home when I arrived here.” Duringher time inHuntington, Chapman earned two degrees, in cluding her master’s degree in edu cation in 2013. She also met her future husband, Corey Chapman, and helped guide the Thundering Herd women’s soccer team to Conference USA success during her senior year. “I spent e i ght year s in Huntington and I always tell peo ple that if I could go back in time,

of her time on this earth thus far. Simply put, Chapman was born for the big stage. Born in England before mov ing to New Zealand at the age of 10, Chapman grew up in a fam ily of athletes. And it wasn’t long before competition became a way of life. She began playing soccer at a young age before joining local clubs and working her way up to playing for New Zealand’s U20 national team. “My dad, both brothers and I grew up playing soccer — or foot ball as we call it. I was always active and enjoyed playing a number of different sports. Playing soccer gave me so many amazing oppor tunities, including traveling the world representing New Zealand at the U20Women’s World Cup, and ultimately leading toMarshall University,” Chapman said. During her time playing for the national team, one of her

Former Thundering Herd athlete Emma Chapman has made a name for herself on the competitive circuit of CrossFit competitions and Tough Mudder X races.

coaches connected her with former Marshall University women’s soccer coach Chris Kane. A few months later, Chapman was on a plane and on her way to Huntington to play for the Herd. “I am forever grateful for the opportunity to attend university where I pursued my degree in education and represented the university in soccer,” Chapman said. “The opportunity to attend university and play a sport is unique to America and not really an option in New Zealand. When I arrived at Marshall, I almost instantly felt at home amongst my teammates and Huntington.” While she was quick to make friends, life in West Virginia took some getting used to. But it wasn’t long before her newfound friends and teammates helped set her on the right track. “When I arrived in Huntington and was picked up by

I would do it all over again,” Chapman said. “Playing soccer for the Thundering Herd was such an amazing experience and I take great pride in it. I also really enjoyed my time during my studies in the education department where I met some lifelong friends and my husband. Coming to Marshall literally changed the course of my life. “I initially had plans to move back home after graduat ing, but here I am, 14 years later, still living in America. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to come over here and represent the university.” Today, Chapman resides in Berea, Kentucky, with her husband and two dogs. Chapman teaches health education to middle school and high school students in Berea, and her husband, Corey, is the strength and conditioning coach at Madison Central High School, where he also coaches football. As a teacher, Chapman feels right at home doing

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