Being an athlete at a Big 10 school is no small feat, but Amani Kimball-McKavish isn’t just keeping up — she’s setting the pace. Whether she's dominating the lacrosse field, excelling in the classroom, or pursuing her entrepreneurial passions, it’s clear that her drive and dedication have helped her make the most of her Buckeye experience.  

When Amani first toured Ohio State, she says she “fell in love with it immediately,” and that love has not wavered in her three years as a student-athlete on Ohio State’s women’s lacrosse team. For her, lacrosse is more than just a sport; it’s a family. This bond has given Amani the drive and desire to make her team and the Buckeye community proud, embracing every opportunity to lead, grow and leave an impact. 

 This year, she and the women’s lacrosse team made history, starting the spring season with eight straight wins.  

“We are breaking records right now, and that all just stems from the love of being a Buckeye,” she says. 

Despite the demands of a rigorous lacrosse schedule, she doesn’t feel limited in what she can explore, noting that Ohio State offers, “everything students need to succeed.” As a lifelong learner, she thrives in the balance between athletics and academics, allowing her to immerse herself in her business classes, pursue a Spanish minor and fuel her passion for entrepreneurship. 

While athletics introduced her to the discipline and teamwork that drive her success, the classroom is where she found the space to grow, explore and set a precedent off the field. Through these experiences, she has built meaningful connections that have guided her toward discovering a path that makes her excited for the future. With this encouragement, she has earned multiple academic awards, including the Pace Setter Award, given to the top 1 percent of Fisher College of Business students. 

She also won the President’s Buckeye Accelerator, an entrepreneurship competition, as a freshman with her startup, PROSscored. The platform helps schools and sports organizations build private broadcast networks to stream live games that also highlight behind-the-scenes content and student-athlete features. It was one of six student startups to earn $50,000, giving her the chance to develop the platform as well as enter a cohort, where she received mentorship and guidance on how to run a business.  

“Going through that as a freshman and sophomore was such a cool experience,” she said, “especially because the people in entrepreneurship are so energetic and inspiring, and I loved being surrounded by that energy.” 

Amani on her Ohio State experience: “I have family within the lacrosse team outside of school, and that connection’s a really cool part about being here. We all share a common goal: to make Ohio State proud of us.” 

Her advice to students:  “Going into Ohio State can be intimidating, but getting to meet the group of incredible people who make your college experience unforgettable is truly special. You really get to see and experience what being a Buckeye is about. Whether that be friends, a teacher, a coach, or alumni, everyone is genuinely invested in helping fellow Buckeyes succeed.”