Dylan Sortillo
Graduation year: 2018
Majors: Business management-marketing, communication studies
Activities: Varsity basketball (CCIW All-Conference), Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Internship: Quad City River Bandits
Post-grad plans: I have a job in sales/marketing for the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in Phoenix, Ariz.
Why Augustana?
I choose Augustana for numerous reasons, including the academic prowess of the school, the opportunity to use Augie Choice, and a chance to play for a storied basketball program in front of my family and friends.
Are you where you thought you’d be when you first came to campus?
I am far beyond where I thought I would be. I have been able to obtain knowledge from taking an assortment of classes, but more importantly, I have met some unbelievable people, learned a lot of lessons, and was able to accomplish some personal and team goals athletically along the way.
Who helped you get to where you are today?
Too many people to name helped me get to where I am today. I have been lucky enough to have had some of the best people in my corner, starting with my parents. I will be forever grateful for all the sacrifices they made. Also, so many faculty/staff members, coaches, teammates and friends who genuinely cared for me and wanted what was in my best interest were always there to encourage me when I was down. You know who you are and just know I appreciate you more than you'll ever believe!
Peak experience?
A peak experience for me was getting to start in a Division III Men’s Basketball National Championship with my best friends. What made it so special was all of the support from the community and from the college that it felt like we were playing for them. This campus and this community wanted it just as bad as us and feeling that energy and passion is something I'll never forget.
What surprised you?
I learned a lot about myself and my capabilities these last four years, and that's one of the best things about college. It's certainly a time to grow up and begin to figure out who you are. I was forced to learn everything from how to live off $10 a week to how to manage my time. All these little lessons prepare you for the real world, and what I've learned most is that I am ready to take on any challenges because of these lessons.
How did you use Augie Choice?
I used Augie Choice to travel to Spain and Italy with my basketball team. It was the experience of a lifetime, and I will never forget it! Just makes me want to travel the world even more.
What will you miss the most?
What I'll miss most are the relationships I’ve built. Being from the Quad Cities and coming to Augustana…it's mind-blowing the family atmosphere you feel here. Not only because it is a small campus and you know most people, but everyone is so caring it gives you an opportunity to invest in relationships and get to know some incredible people who will go on to do amazing things. I’ll definitely miss seeing those people and our conversations every day, but we’ve been able to make some lifelong memories, and I know we will stay in touch!
Advice for the Class of 2022?
Get involved. Meet as many people as possible and invest in those relationships. When you graduate, you’re not necessarily going to remember what you learned in a class spring term your freshman year, but you'll probably remember the friendships you developed from that class or that year. Don’t try and fit in; instead just be the best you that you can be, and the rest will play itself out. Looking forward to seeing where this class can take Augustana next. Go Vikes forever.
“Dylan has had a terrific experience at Augustana from playing in two Final Fours, to landing a position with the best pro sports organization to work for in America (Arizona Diamondbacks), according to Forbes magazine. Over the last four years, we saw Dylan develop into a confident, selfless leader who would have great success on the court and cultivate relationships with teammates and coaches that I expect will last a lifetime. It has been a pleasure being a part of his Augustana experience.”