ST. JOSEPH, Minn. -- Both Jamie Bimberg's parents and each of her two older siblings attended the University of Minnesota.
 
When it came time to chart her own college path, the Chanhassen High School graduate chose a different direction.
 
That direction led her to the College of Saint Benedict, which, in turn, opened the door to a world of opportunities.
 

"I really did consider following in their footsteps. But in the end, there were things – like sports – that I just wasn't ready to let go of," she said. "My family was very supportive. They encouraged me to do something different and pave my own path. I saw it as a challenge and that was exciting."
 
Sports have certainly played a huge role in Bimberg's CSB experience. The 5-foot-8 defender is now in her fourth season as a key part of the Bennie hockey team, and she played three seasons of golf as well before choosing to step away before the start of her senior year this fall.
 
In addition, she is part of the leadership team on the CSB Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
 
But being a collegiate athlete is far from the only thing that's defined her time on campus. She is also a double major in accounting and finance and has worked as both a teaching assistant and a tutor in the accounting department.
 
"I've always tried to stay busy my entire life, and there are so many options to do that here," she said. "Between sports and activities, I've been able to challenge myself and that's helped open a lot of doors."
 
Indeed, Bimberg has already lined up a full-time audit and assurance position at Deloitte – one of the big four accounting firms – after she graduates next May.
 
"It's amazing how highly regarded the accounting department here is," Bimberg said. "And there have been so many opportunities to network. People always talk about how incredible the alumni network is (at CSB and SJU), and it's really true. There are a lot of Bennie and Johnnie graduates at Deloitte who helped me get my foot in the door."
 
Bimberg is also quick to credit the support and assistance she's received from faculty members, especially popular accounting professor Warren 'Boz' Bostrom, who passed away at just age 52 earlier this fall after battling illness.
 
"He was the greatest professor ever," Bimberg said, her voice cracking with emotion. "He was always there for his students. I felt like he was someone I could talk to about anything. He started coming to my hockey games, which was super special to have one of your professors take the time to support you like that. He always radiated positive energy, no matter what else was going on in his life. He might be having a bad day, but you'd never know because there was always a smile on his face."
 
Like many athletic teams at both CSB and SJU, Bimberg and her teammates on the Bennie hockey team are wearing a patch to honor Boz at home games this season.
 
"I really do feel like he's still there supporting me even though he's not physically here with us," she said. "And I'm still applying so many of the lessons I learned from him, not just in accounting, but in everyday life as well."
 
Bostrom would certainly be proud of the impact Bimberg is making on the ice in the early going this season, bringing an increased level of physicality to her play.
 
"That's really the biggest thing I've noticed so far," CSB head coach Lindsay Macy said of Bimberg, who has been a regular on-ice contributor since her first season at the school in 2022-23. "She's turned something that was one of her biggest weaknesses into one of her strengths. She's been lights out this year, and a lot of that has to do with the way she's been taking control physically."
 
"She's such a processor and she's so smart," added Macy. "She knew she needed to work on her strength and physicality and she did that. She's improved tremendously in that area."
 
Her play is one of the reasons the Bennies are off to a 2-1 start. After falling to top-ranked Wisconsin-River Falls in the season opener Nov. 4, CSB went on to sweep MIAC foe St. Scholastica in a home-and-home series this past weekend – winning 5-3 Friday (Nov. 14) at the Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud and 2-1 Saturday (Nov. 15) in Duluth.
 
"It's crazy to think it's my senior season already," said Bimberg, whose team takes on St. Olaf in a home-and-home series this weekend, facing off against the Oles at 6 p.m. Friday (Nov. 21) at the MAC and 6 p.m. Saturday at the Skoglund Center in Northfield.
 
"It seems like just yesterday I was coming in here as a freshman," said Bimberg. "I feel like I've grown so much over these past four years, and now I just want to have a blast and make as many memories as I can in the time I have left. 
 
"The mindset changes somewhat when you know it's your final year," she continued. "Everything is on the line and you want to soak up each and every moment."
 
That's exactly what Bimberg has tried to do both on and off the ice during all her time at CSB.
 
"Coming here has allowed me to meet so many amazing people," she said. "You hear a lot about the sense of community at CSB, and from the moment I got here, it's all rang true. I've met lifelong friends and gotten to know people I wouldn't have had the chance to otherwise. People who have helped play a big role in shaping me into the person I am now."