We love a great female role model on campus, especially one that rocks it on the University of Vermont’s ice rink. Rowan Hayes, a sophomore at UVM, brings good vibes and devotion to UVM’s Women’s Club Hockey team. He personality is one to celebrate as a fellow student, a team mate and a woman of our generation. Check out her reflection on her life on and off the rink below!
Explain your position on the club hockey team.
This is my second year playing center forward.
How much experience have you had playing hockey.
I grew up in a family full of ice hockey players, playing for my first time when I was about 4 years old. I played in the boy’s league throughout most of my BAHA (Burlington Amateur Hockey Association) career, until a year before going to high school. I also played on the Vermont Starts, an elite travel team for girls, where I spent almost every summer weekend at hockey tournaments in Canada.
I then played for my high school team, right here in Burlington, until they lost the sufficient funds to continue at a varsity level, so I switched over to a neighboring high school. This is how I ended up being the captain of the Champlain Valley Union team my senior year.
What keeps you playing hockey and how do you push yourself individually in the team?
I play hockey because I love it. The feeling of lacing up and skating around is like no other, especially in regard to stress relief or getting rid of any pent up energy. There’s just a sense of fulfillment you get walking away from a win that I don’t imagine I could get from anywhere else. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to make it to hockey as much as I would have preferred to this past semester, due to work and school. But I’ve been making sure to go to the gym or stick and puck whenever I can, to make up for any missed practices or games, and to improve my fitness level and skills.
What is the best part about being apart of the UVM Club Hockey Team?
The people I play with. I already knew some of the girls when I came onto the team my freshman year, because I had previously met them through my older sister McKenna, who helped form the club team. I met so many new people as well, each as awesome as the one before. There is such a welcoming and friendly vibe on the team, everyone just wants to have fun and win some games.
What do you do outside of sports?
I’m an environmental engineering major, so I spend a good amount of time in Votey and good old Bailey Howe. I’ve also been a waitress at Sweetwaters for about a year now, which is always a good break from the stress of school. I’m currently on a Game of Thrones binge and am trying to finish all of the books before the next TV season comes out in April, so that’s been taking up a slightly obscene amount of my time.
What advice would you give to somebody who is lacking faith in their ability to play a sport?
Just go for it. I started two new sports, field hockey and lacrosse, my freshman year of high school and ended up loving them and playing all four years. You can only get better at a something after the first time you do it. If you put in the time and energy to practice, you will get your desired results. It’s a great way to meet new people and to build confidence; you’ll be so thankful that you gave it a chance.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
My mother was always very insistent on honesty while my three sisters and I were growing up. The question she tended to ask, “On your Irish honor?” Was a sure way to detect any little fib we might be pulling, as we would never dare to lie on our Irish honor. The mere principle of honesty, of being honest even when it is difficult to be so, is the best advice I have ever received.