The lack of three-sport athletes is often attributed to the recent trend of specializing in a single sport. "Specialization came with the 1980s 'me generation' mindset that only the best will do," says Women's Basketball Coach Christa Champion. "Some parents have responded by zeroing in their children's attention on a single sport–both to enhance opportunities for college admittance and increase potential scholarship offers." Coleman, who garnered scholarships in volleyball out of high school, preferred Oberlin for its rich academic history and the opportunity to compete in many facets of the school. "I just like to keep my body in motion," she says. "I have the ability to play three sports and do the things I love."

Coleman entered Oberlin in the fall of 2000, hoping to pursue both athletics and an African American studies major. Her performance over the past four years has earned her a spot in a select group of three-sport Oberlin athletes; Julie Thompson Robinson '81 was one of the last. A four-year varsity letter winner in volleyball, Robinson also led the basketball team in rebounds and scoring for three seasons and held the school record in the shot put. Coleman has matched her elite athletic predecessors by garnering All-North Coast Athletic Conference first-team recognition in volleyball and two first-team All-NCAC selections in outdoor track and field. She finished this past basketball season second in the NCAC in steals and sixth in assists. Coleman's daily routine is very packed but her internal love for her teammates, coaches, and schoolwork has kept her grounded. "You only live life once, so you should utilize these opportunities and abilities while you have them," says Coleman.

Vin Lananna, Oberlin's Delta Lodge Director of Athletics, has been affiliated with all ranks of athletics, from youth through the Olympic level. "Athletes think if they do not specialize in a single sport they will not be able to get an arm's length ahead of their competitor's, and, in doing so, will lose their spot," he says. He and Champion advocate athletes playing multiple sports throughout their formative years and, if competitive, at the collegiate level as well. "Athletes can improve their strength, agility, and speed by competing in other sports during the non-traditional seasons," Lananna says.

Coleman's performance negates the notion that athletes would do better to direct their focus on a single sport. This past volleyball season, for example, she obliterated Oberlin's career record for both kills and digs while finishing third in the NCAC in kills (3.45 per game) and fifth in digs (4.57 per game). Coleman was also named to the 2004 All-NCAC Basketball Team as an honorable mention selection after finishing the season with 229 points and 99 rebounds.

A Cleveland-area native, Coleman's success at Oberlin mirrors her years at Maple Heights High School, where she graduated first in her class while also serving as captain of the volleyball, basketball, and track teams. "Amber had a mature perspective of her responsibilities," says Maple Heights Principal Debra Houcins. "Once she decided to go after something, she gave it her best. It does not surprise me that she has been able to be successful and balance everything in college."

Coleman admires her former principal along with her mother and Betsy Smerglia, her high school volleyball coach, for the tremendous inspiration they provided over the years. "They were the ones who motivated me to play hard and reach my full potential," Coleman says.

After graduating this spring, Coleman hopes to attend New York University and pursue a career as a short-story author and performer. "Amber is a talented singer and dancer who enjoys bringing pleasure to those around her," says Champion. "Her future is limitless."