Athletics & Pio Pride

Transcript

SHU is a division one school and offers 33 varsity sports, but don’t worry, if you’re not at that level, you can get involved in one of the university’s 36 club sports. SHU student athletes are known for keeping up their GPA’s and dedicating thousands of community service hours. Women’s ice hockey player, Sophie, who’s over at the William Pitt Athletic and Convocation Center is gonna tell you a little bit more about what it’s like being a student athlete and why she loves shredding the ice as a Pioneer, Sophie.

– Thank you, Alex. I’m so excited to be here and share my experience as a division one athlete here at Sacred Heart University. For as long as I’ve been able to walk, skating has always been a passion of mine. Growing up, my dad played and got me and my older siblings involved in hockey. Being the youngest, I was always trying to keep up with my siblings. I started playing hockey when I was three years old and from there I immediately fell in love with the sport. I played with all boys teams until the age of 13, played on girls travel teams, and then started a woman’s team at my high school. When I reached high school, I knew I wanted to take my game to the next step and play at the college level. By the end of my junior year, I committed to Sacred Heart University for my academics and athletics. On the first day of college, I immediately had 29 best friends. We spend endless hours together on and off the ice. The level from high school to college was a change at first, but all my training paid off. I learned to eat, sleep and breathe hockey all while balancing academics and a social life. My coach always tells me, academics is one and hockey is 1A. Playing on a team with 29 other student athletes who are just as passionate about hockey as I am is what makes our team so special. We all have the same angle, which is to win a NOHA championship and get a spot in the NCAA tournament. My coach has taught us to win and lose as a team together. My experiences at Sacred Heart University have given me a great education, immediate best friends and an athletic career that I will cherish for the rest of my life. My experiences are also going to give me countless opportunities that I can bring into the real world. Everyday this university helps me become a better student, a better athlete and a better person. I’m grateful that I’m able to represent SHU as a student and as a division one athlete. Thank you for letting me share my story, now back to you, Alex.

– What passion Sophie, that was great. There is no doubt that all of SHU’s student athletes are passionate about their team and teammates, they really are a family. Thanks again for sharing that, take care, Sophie.