Clark University’s Varsity Field Hockey team has been honored for the third year in a row in receiving the 2015 ZAG/Field Hockey NFHCA Division III National Academic Team Award. In order to receive this award the team GPA had to be 3.0 or higher during the fall 2015 semester. We wanted to hear what the team had to say about this award and their experience finding balance with academics and athletics.
Here’s what some members of the team had to say:
“It’s so nice to be surrounded by supportive, educated young women. I’m really proud of my team for challenging themselves both on and off the field.” – Raistlin Bittues, ’19
“It’s amazing that we are honored with this achievement, I am extremely proud of the team! As a freshmen it was a bit of adjustment into college academics as well as playing a collegiate sport, but knowing I had my team mates for support in and out of the class room was great. Many of the upper classmen took the classes I am currently taking, so on multiple occasions I would ask for help! The extra time off the field equated to on the field, I was able to connect more with my teammates and create crazy plays and goals. This has been a great year and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else” – Olivia Barksdale, ’19
“I think it’s great that we won this award because I think we’re a very academically driven team. Someone on the team, older or younger, always asked me how school was going or what classes I was taking. It’s a double focus, hockey and school, and we do it together and it’s great.”- Liz Grady, ’18
“This award is a reminder of just how multifaceted our team is–each player has had such a positive impact on both my play and my college experience so far, seeing their hard work off the field being recognized is both inspiring and exciting.” – Dani Michaud, ’19
“I’m so proud to be a part of a group of women that work so hard at everything they do! It’s definitely tough to keep up with everything during our season, but determination and hard work applies both on and off the field. I’m incredibly grateful for the endless amount of support and encouragement from my teammates, about both the sport and my academics.” – Gaby DeAngelis, ’19
“The Clark university field hockey team is really a special group of girls and I am so happy that we are being recognized for all of our hard work off of the field!” – Anjelica Gonzalez, ’18
“I’m very proud of our team for receiving this recognition three years in a row. We are an extremely hard working group of ladies.” – Haley Mahan, ’18
“Although field hockey is a huge time commitment, I am always focused on academics during the season because Coach Wage and my teammates are supportive and encourage academic success.” – Olivia Cotton ‘17
The team is currently gearing up for off-season training that begins next week. Keep up the good work ladies!