Growing up in Pensacola, Florida, Joey Zayszly has always demonstrated persistence, a strong drive for success, and a generous spirit. He was heavily involved in his community, volunteering as an assistant track coach and spending his summers working at Autism Pensacola’s Kids for Camp, an educational program for young people with autism. Zayszly’s mother, a special education teacher, helped cultivate his passion for helping others while they spent time volunteering together.
Zayszly’s early involvement in community building also set him on a unique educational and athletic journey that would eventually lead him to the University of Notre Dame as a student, athlete, and AmeriCorps volunteer at the Robinson Community Learning Center (RCLC).
He is currently enrolled in two master’s programs at Notre Dame: the Global Health Program and the ESTEEM Program (Engineering, Science, and Technology Entrepreneurship). However, the road to South Bend was a winding one.
“Right out of high school, I was recruited to run track at Notre Dame. I came on a visit to a football game in 2019. After the visit, I was ready to commit, but it ended up not working out,” Zayszly says.
Instead, Zayszly attended the University of South Alabama, where he competed in track for one year before pursuing a transfer to Notre Dame. He eventually earned a pre-med degree from the University of Oklahoma, after an unexpected setback in 2023 that brought him to South Bend.
“You can consider it lucky or not, but I broke my foot and ended up getting an extra year of eligibility,” Zayszly explained.
He applied to Notre Dame for the third time. This time, he was accepted and earned an athletic scholarship.
“As soon as I got in, I knew I was coming,” he said.
Zayszly’s commitment to community service continues at Notre Dame, where he is part of the AmeriCorps team at the RCLC working in the youth development program. As an AmeriCorps volunteer, he has to complete a minimum number of service hours. Despite a rigorous academic schedule and demanding athletic commitments, Zayszly dedicates time each week to the RCLC.
“He exemplifies the high quality of Notre Dame student-athletes. Joey always showed up throughout the school year despite his scheduled tests, finals, meets, and more,” Susan Devetski, RCLC director, said. “It is important for our young students to have role models that are consistent and reliable. Sadly, many students have experiences with adults coming in and out of their lives, Joey has been that constant for the students. They trust him because he always shows up.”
With plenty of experience balancing multiple volunteer efforts, Zayszly says it was an easy decision to get involved at the RCLC. He volunteered for five years at Autism Pensacola during high school and college and has extended his work to community-based research since coming to Notre Dame.
As part of the ESTEEM program, Zayszly works with Allied Argenta to develop an affordable housing model for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and his global health project through the Notre Dame Lead Innovation Team focuses on lead screening and prevention in South Bend.
Zayszly shared he enjoys connecting with elementary and middle school students at the RCLC, organizing sports and games, and serving as a consistent, positive role model.
“At the RCLC I would be the main one handling and taking them outside. We like to play football or basketball. I think it’s nice to bond with the kids through athletics. Sometimes I tell them I’m on the track team at Notre Dame and it is a way they can look up to me a little bit,” he said.
But, it’s not just his volunteer work that makes Zayszly’s Notre Dame experience fulfilling. A member of the track and field team (he runs the 400 hurdles, the 4x4 relay, and takes part in the heptathlon and decathlon), Zayszly says he has grown close to his teammates who value the family-orientated culture and host weekly Bible sessions. Zayszly said coming to a Catholic institution has strengthened his relationship with God.
“Just to be here on campus I felt that presence, and people were encouraging and inviting me to come to Bible study with our coach. There was no pressure to go but I felt drawn,” he said.
The past year was challenging for Zayszly, balancing academics, athletics and volunteering. Transitioning to a demanding academic program while competing, finding time to volunteer, and having to study was a challenge.
“I was not aware of the academic difference. Notre Dame is on a different level than other schools” Zayszly said. “At first I had to take a step back and say okay I really got to buckle down. I was doing eight to ten hours at the RCLC then I had practice. It was definitely hard to balance it but I like having a strict schedule and having it all planned out.”
Reflecting on his time at Notre Dame, Zayszly said “I grew spiritually, academically and professionally.” While he knew Notre Dame was a Catholic school, he did not know how big of an impact it would have on his faith.
“It was something I definitely needed and wasn’t something I was expecting.”
Zayszly’s teammates have also been a significant part of his growth. “Kids on the teams are go-getters. They are all student athletes, not just athletes. At Notre Dame, you have to do both.”
Prioritizing academics made him more aware of the impact he was making. Zayszly said he never missed a single class, unless it was excused for a meet. He also credits the Notre Dame network for the beginning of his professional growth, offering leads for job opportunities, interview tips, and alumni connections.
“Not many people get the chance to compete at this level. I'm grateful to compete for a fifth year next season. I feel like this is where I was meant to be.”
Originally published by at publicaffairs.nd.edu on August 08, 2024.