General | 2/4/2021 9:00:00 AM

RIT is celebrating the 35^th anniversary of National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) this week by highlighting five former student-athletes that used sports to springboard themselves to success. Every day this week, a Q&A from each individual will be added, highlighting their insights and successes in their own words. Be sure to check back each day to read their stories.

Margot Sandy
Women's Basketball
2008 - Electrical Mechanical Engineering Technology
2012 - MS, Product Development
Product Development Program Manager

Margot Sandy played basketball at RIT for four seasons from 2003-2007 and ranks as one of the most prolific Tigers in program history. She finished her career second with 1,136 points while graduating as the team's all-time leader with 149 blocked shots as well as a 35.1 three-point field goal percentage. Sandy remains in the top-10 in 13 career and season categories, including career points, rebounds, blocked shots, free throws and steals, while the 42.2 three-point field goal percentage she compiled as a senior remains the best mark ever by a Tiger. Sandy was a four-time Empire 8 All-Conference selection, also earning Empire 8 President's Academic List honors her junior and senior seasons.The Grand Blanc, Mich., native received her bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical engineering technology and went on to receive her master's degree in product development engineering. She was inducted into the RIT Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.

Connect with Margot:
LinkedIn: margot-sandy
margotsandy.com
 
How has your involvement with sports shaped who you are today?
Sports were essential for my personal and professional development. They taught working together as a team with people from all different backgrounds to accomplish a goal as well as the importance of perseverance and how continuous hard-work through ups and downs can help in reaching those goals.
 
Tell us about your current professional position or career:
I am in the latter portion of a PhD at Imperial College London on the President's Scholarship for Design Engineering. I have 12 years of industry experience developing new products at Fisher-Price and Brookstone Labs and in my own consulting firm with tech startups. I have been teaching Product Innovation classes at RIT over the last four years and also wrote a best-selling book based on my travel experiences and building a business.
 
Has being an athlete opened doors for you professionally? How so?
Being a successful student-athlete, both in the classroom and on the court, has open doors in terms of demonstrating that I can multi-task and emphasized my ability to work in and lead teams.          
 
It was just 50 years ago that Title IX removed barriers to allow girls and women to participate in sports. What are your hopes and dreams for girls and women in sports for the future?  
I hope there will be greater appreciation for the skills girls possess in sports and broader interest will continue to grow. 
 
What advice do you have for young female athletes today? 
Be proud of who you are, keep practicing and be open to feedback.
 
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? 
I enjoy building 3D puzzles.
 
When you're not working, you can be found... 
Up until this year, I traveled quite a bit, but these days I try to get fresh air when possible and enjoy hiking and conversations with friends.