Cruzen Selected to Participate in NCAA Legacy Lab
9/10/2026 11:30:00 AM | Soccer
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Citadel sophomore defender Addison Cruzen has been selected to participate in the 2026 NCAA Fall Legacy Lab, set for Sept. 10-13 in Indianapolis, Ind.
A two-year member of The Citadel soccer program, Cruzen will represent the Bulldogs at the four-day NCAA student-athlete development program, which is designed to help current student-athletes explore entrepreneurship and translate the skills developed through athletics into opportunities beyond competition.
Cruzen will participate in the Blueprint to Breakthrough: Business Track, which focuses on the essentials of starting, operating and growing a business. Throughout the program, participants in the track will explore business planning, branding, networking, financial fundamentals and strategies for turning ideas into sustainable ventures.
A business major, Cruzen said the opportunity stood out because of its focus on helping student-athletes discover their identity and professional interests beyond athletics.
"The Legacy Lab is basically about who you are after being an athlete, and I felt like that was right up my alley," Cruzen said. "My whole life, when people ask me to tell them about myself, I say, 'I play soccer.' I want to find something bigger than that and figure out what I want to do in my future."
Cruzen also leaned on her experience as a soccer cadet-athlete at The Citadel throughout the application process, highlighting the unique perspective and opportunities that come with balancing Division I athletics and life at a military college.
"Our athletics leadership team at The Citadel is so excited that Addi was selected to participate in the NCAA Legacy Lab," Senior Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations and Senior Woman Administrator Rachel Fineberg said. "It's our goal to provide the most holistic experience we can and, ultimately, prepare Bulldog cadet-athletes to achieve their dreams after earning their degree. Addi will be able to take what she learns from this professional development opportunity and bring it back to campus as experiential education. We are fortunate to have coaches here at The Citadel who fully support the growth of their cadet-athletes as a whole."
Head coach Ciaran Traquair also emphasized the value of the opportunity for Cruzen both on and off the field.
"Addi's selection to the NCAA Legacy Lab is a great opportunity for her to represent our program while gaining experience that can help shape her future beyond soccer," Traquair said. "She has worked hard to balance the responsibilities of being a student-athlete, and we're pleased she will have the chance to explore new ideas, build practical skills and connect those experiences to the opportunities ahead of her."
During the four-day program, Cruzen will participate in sessions centered around storytelling, pitching ideas, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, resilience and negotiation, along with networking opportunities and the Legacy Lab's Hustle Bowl.
Cruzen will provide a behind-the-scenes look at her experience through an Instagram takeover on @CitadelWSoccer during the Legacy Lab.
For the latest information on The Citadel soccer team, visit CitadelSports.com and follow @CitadelWSoccer on Facebook, X and Instagram.
A two-year member of The Citadel soccer program, Cruzen will represent the Bulldogs at the four-day NCAA student-athlete development program, which is designed to help current student-athletes explore entrepreneurship and translate the skills developed through athletics into opportunities beyond competition.
Cruzen will participate in the Blueprint to Breakthrough: Business Track, which focuses on the essentials of starting, operating and growing a business. Throughout the program, participants in the track will explore business planning, branding, networking, financial fundamentals and strategies for turning ideas into sustainable ventures.
A business major, Cruzen said the opportunity stood out because of its focus on helping student-athletes discover their identity and professional interests beyond athletics.
"The Legacy Lab is basically about who you are after being an athlete, and I felt like that was right up my alley," Cruzen said. "My whole life, when people ask me to tell them about myself, I say, 'I play soccer.' I want to find something bigger than that and figure out what I want to do in my future."
Cruzen also leaned on her experience as a soccer cadet-athlete at The Citadel throughout the application process, highlighting the unique perspective and opportunities that come with balancing Division I athletics and life at a military college.
"Our athletics leadership team at The Citadel is so excited that Addi was selected to participate in the NCAA Legacy Lab," Senior Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations and Senior Woman Administrator Rachel Fineberg said. "It's our goal to provide the most holistic experience we can and, ultimately, prepare Bulldog cadet-athletes to achieve their dreams after earning their degree. Addi will be able to take what she learns from this professional development opportunity and bring it back to campus as experiential education. We are fortunate to have coaches here at The Citadel who fully support the growth of their cadet-athletes as a whole."
Head coach Ciaran Traquair also emphasized the value of the opportunity for Cruzen both on and off the field.
"Addi's selection to the NCAA Legacy Lab is a great opportunity for her to represent our program while gaining experience that can help shape her future beyond soccer," Traquair said. "She has worked hard to balance the responsibilities of being a student-athlete, and we're pleased she will have the chance to explore new ideas, build practical skills and connect those experiences to the opportunities ahead of her."
During the four-day program, Cruzen will participate in sessions centered around storytelling, pitching ideas, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, resilience and negotiation, along with networking opportunities and the Legacy Lab's Hustle Bowl.
Cruzen will provide a behind-the-scenes look at her experience through an Instagram takeover on @CitadelWSoccer during the Legacy Lab.
For the latest information on The Citadel soccer team, visit CitadelSports.com and follow @CitadelWSoccer on Facebook, X and Instagram.
-- #𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 --
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