TOWSON, Md. - Over the course of the summer, TowsonTigers.com will be checking in with alums of the volleyball program to see what they remember from their Towson days, what they are doing now and what kind of advice they would offer the current members of their former teams.

Next up is Erika Swan who played for the Tigers between 2004 and 2007. Swan was a two-time team captain who helped the Tigers win the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship during her freshman season, 2004. She appeared in 73 matches during her career and recorded 212 digs to go along with 18 service aces and 23 assists.

1. Name (please include name when you played at Towson if you are married now)
Erika Swan

2. Years played and position
I played from 2004-2007 (was the team captain in 2006-2007). I was primarily a libero/ds but played outside my junior year too.

3. Best Memory from your Towson days
My best and favorite memories were the bus trips.  I know some people hated the long rides, but what's to hate when you get to spend the whole weekend with some of your best friends?

4. What are you doing now?
I teach middle school physical education in Howard County.  I also assist at a local high school coaching their varsity volleyball team.

5. What's the most exciting/memorable thing you have done since graduation?
Probably landing a position at a school. I was full-time for several years, but I was split between two elementary schools. I finally earned the position at my current middle school two years ago, and I couldn't be more grateful to be at such a great school all five days of the week.

6. What's one thing you learned at Towson, you can apply to everyday life??
You can never give up on anything. Obstacles, negative/doubtful people, challenges, etc. will always be there. Your true character shows, and is developed, when you're put into tough/trying situations. I'm very thankful to have been given the opportunity to play for Towson and compete for a spot each day.

7. If you could offer one piece of advice to today's student-athletes, what would that be?
Treat college the way you would approach the real world. In other words... you can't miss work because you went out on Thursday night and "stayed out too late". You wouldn't whine to your boss about your work schedule so why do that to your coach about playing time? And you're not always going to get praise or recognition for doing the right thing so start to believe in doing the right thing no matter who is looking/watching/or it affects. AND... stop using technology to communicate so much with people. Learn to interact and communicate through physical interaction rather than through technology. People can't tell the tone of a text message nor are they going to get right back to you in 10 seconds. Develop patience.

8. Have you been back to Towson since graduation and if so what do you think of the changes?
I have for our alumni game last fall. I hardly recognized the campus. It was a little depressing to see how much it had changed, but it was great to see how beautiful and contemporary it has become.