June 21, 2017
By: Margaret Hurt
Grace Socha, now Grace Sanders, joined the Auburn equestrian team in 2008 and immediately made an impact. The 2012 graduate was a consistent starter in Fences and Flat during her four years on the team, and earned All-America honors for the 2010-11 season. Sanders earned seven career MOP honors, including the Fences MOP against UGA in the final round of the NCEA national championship in 2011. She also holds sixth place for most meets competed in Fences in team history, having started in 46 competitions.
Sanders worked as the team's graduate assistant for two years while earning her Master's degree in education with a minor in sport management. Now working as an administrative football assistant for the Southeastern Conference in Birmingham, Sanders coordinates football officiating for the SEC and Sun Belt conferences and credits her time on the team as part of what made her who she is today.
"The team was truly instrumental in making me the person I am today," Sanders said, "You learn so much about friendships, working as a team, patience, trust, and love."
How do you think being on the team helped you get to where you are?
"Being a student athlete pushes you harder than you could ever imagine. It teaches you so much about hard work, dedication, time management, relationships; everything you need in life to be successful, really."
What is it like working for the SEC?
"It's really my dream job. Getting to do what you love in such a wonderful environment is more than I could ever ask for."
What do you enjoy most about your job?
"I love working with people and building new relationships. I work with about 200 officials so I get to do a lot of that and it's great!"
Was Auburn your number one choice when you got recruited?
"Being from the North, I actually had never heard of Auburn until I was recruited. When I came on my visit I knew within the first five minutes that is was where I wanted to be."
What about the team stood out to you most when you were visiting?
"I went to a practice and watching the girls interact with each other and seeing how much fun they had together, it was incredible to watch and I knew I wanted to be a part of it."
What did you love most about the campus?
"The fact you can randomly say "War Eagle" at any time of day to a bunch of strangers and they ALWAYS say it back."
What was your favorite part about being on the team?
"My teammates. I made some incredible, lifelong friendships that I will always cherish."
Do you remember what your first ride as a competitor was like?
"Yes. I hadn't been cleared to ride until the week of our second meet and so I only got to practice twice before I competed. I was unusually nervous, but I remember the support of my teammates was really amazing, and hearing them cheer for me after I landed off the last fence was something I will never forget."
What's your favorite memory from competition?
"Seconds after we realized we won the national championship, a group of us charged the arena and ran to the stands where the rest of our team was. There was a 12-foot high wall separating us and the girls above leaned down and lifted us over the wall. I'm not sure if it was the strength from our ridiculous workouts or the adrenaline, but it was incredible."
What did you feel was the most rewarding part of being on the team?
"Having the love and support from 40 girls. They were there to celebrate with you for a win and there to cry with for a loss. Knowing you were in it together made it all worth it."
What was it like working as the team GA?
"It was truly amazing. You get to see the team from a whole new side and start to learn why the coaches do what they do, and why certain things are the way they are- things you can't see or know when you're on the team. It also allowed me to still be a part of the team I loved so much, and getting to know a whole new set of girls and watch them grow through their time at Auburn."
Was the transition difficult from team member to graduate assistant?
"At times, yes. It was hard in the beginning coming to terms with the fact I would never compete again, and that my relationship with the girls had to change. However, it opened up so many new doors and views and I really loved every moment of it."
What do you feel is the most important thing you learned/gained from being on the team?
"Being on the team at Auburn is about 'planting a see for a tree you will never shade under.' You are constantly making changes and striving to make the team and the facilities the best it can be, regardless of whether or not you will enjoy it during your time. I think that is such an important part of life. Make things great because you love them and you want others to experience things even better than you did."