An Eagan native with Autism whose doctors told her she would “never live independently” is one of 18 castaways competing to win $1 million on the upcoming “Survivor 48,” which debuts Feb. 26 on CBS.
Eva Erickson, 24, graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2022 and was the first and only female player on the school’s hockey team. She’s currently pursuing a PhD at Brown University School of Engineering, where she’s captain of the men’s club hockey team.
Eagan native Eva Erickson is one 18 castaways competing on “Survivor 48,” which debuts Feb. 26, 2025, on CBS. (Robert Voets / CBS)
“I want to go on ‘Survivor’ to show the world a version of Autism they don’t often portray in mainstream media,” she said in an interview published by Entertainment Weekly. “I am Autistic, but my Autism experience is unique and will give people hope that even if they are on the spectrum they can still accept who they are and be successful.
“I was diagnosed very young and my family was told I would never live independently. I have succeeded in life far beyond anyone’s imagination of my life having achieved big goals in hockey, my officiating career, my doctoral studies and in forming so many friends who love me for who I am.”
Erickson said “energetic, driven, competitive” are three words to describe her and she counts hockey, water sports and rollerblading among her favorite hobbies. She interned at St. Paul’s Baxter International Inc. and 3M while pursuing her first college degree.
In a CBS promotional video, she said she started watching “Survivor” in college because her hockey teammates created a drinking game centered around the show: “The first time we played, I won. I hope there’s some drinking game challenge out here that I can win.
Erickson said her hockey background will be an asset on “Survivor” as she’s “used to competing against men twice my size who think they are better than me. I am prepared to bring my fierce competitive nature to my game of ‘Survivor.’
“I’m gritty as hell. I will work harder than anyone else in this game. I also am smart and smart enough to hide my intelligence. This is a game of minimizing perceived threat level so by emphasizing my physical abilities while downplaying my intelligence I will fly under the radar to success.”
The 48th season of “Survivor” was filmed in June on Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands. At least 10 Minnesotans have competed on the show in the past, including North St. Paul native Carolyn Wiger, who placed third on “Survivor 44” and is currently competing on the third season of “The Traitors” on Peacock.
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