ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Records are made to be broken. Former Elmira College men's basketball standout Justin Porrett '19 did just that during his time donning the Purple and Gold. The Soaring Eagle point guard broke a pair of 30-year-old program records, surpassing marks set by Reggie Rollins '88 for the most assists in a season and career.

Now a Virtual Engagement Associate at Morgan Stanley, Porrett was not only recognized for his skills on the court, but in the classroom, too. The two-time Empire 8 All-Conference honoree was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District First Team in 2017-18, the same year he paced all Division III basketball players with 8.8 assists per game.

Originally from Dumont, New Jersey, Porrett looks back on his time with the Soaring Eagles in today's EC Athletics Alumni Spotlight.

Q: Why did you choose to attend Elmira College?
A: I chose to attend Elmira College for a multitude of reasons. Being able to continue to play the sport I love was important, but the ability to learn in a small classroom setting paired with a campus culture that allowed for me to get involved was critical. Elmira gave me the best opportunity to build an impressive resume for my professional aspirations and continue to play basketball.

Q: What did you major in at Elmira College?
A: Finance and Business Administration with a concentration in Management and a minor in Economics. Not only did Elmira set me up academically to succeed in the financial services industry with knowledge of the financial markets, but it also allowed me to take on multiple leadership positions, which enhanced my ability to work in a team environment. This allowed for an easy transition into my professional life working amongst others in a team environment.

Q: How has your experience as an EC student-athlete influenced your life since graduation?
A: Being an EC student-athlete has influenced my life tremendously since graduation. One of the biggest things it did was allow me to be marketable in the workforce. I strongly believe student-athletes have an advantage over the regular college student. Hard work, resiliency, time management, and communication are all traits that are engrained in us. I truly believe that being a student-athlete has allowed me to be successful in my professional life but also to take on any challenges in my personal life.

Q: Is there anyone at Elmira who had a profound impact on your time as a Soaring Eagle, either academically and/or athletically?
A: I am forever thankful for the whole Elmira College community, as the culture is one of inclusion and one that allows its students to thrive in all aspects of life. Furthermore, my Elmira College basketball family had the biggest impact on my time as a Soaring Eagle. From the beginning, Coach T (Randie Torgalski) pushed me on the court, but also pushed me to be an active contributor to the campus community, which has paid dividends in my professional life. Also, teammates like Justin Henderson '16 pushed me to grow myself professionally by taking on positions both on and off campus. I strongly believe that I would not be where I am at today without the mentorship that I had as a young college student.

Q: What are your favorite memories that come to mind when you think about your collegiate athletics career at Elmira?
A: When I look back at my collegiate athletic career at Elmira, the first thing that comes to mind above all else is the family that is Elmira College basketball. Spending basically every moment with my teammates creates this special bond that will stick with me for the rest of my life. At the end of the day, I don't really remember the wins or losses, but I do remember the experiences with my brothers that didn't seem so big when I was in them.

Q: What is the best advice you would give to a current Soaring Eagle student-athlete?
A: The best advice that I can give is to do the common things in an uncommon way. Being a student-athlete is not common, but that is not enough. Get more involved, find ways to help better the campus community. Lastly, network with your alumni. If you can leverage those relationships, you will be able to be successful post-graduation. You do not want to walk across that stage on graduation day wishing you did more.

The Elmira College Department of Athletics alumni spotlight series was launched to showcase the student-athlete experience and the unique paths our alumni have taken to very successful careers, both in and out of the sports industry. If you are interested in sharing your story, or the story of a fellow EC graduate, please complete a submission form by clicking here.