While the life of a student-athlete can be quite challenging, Alex Gregorek makes it look easy. Between balancing an Interdisciplinary Business major and her efforts as founder of Operation Smile, the senior Varsity basketball player still managed to score a career 1000 points, making her the 13th player in Lions’ history to do so. And while this may seem like a major feat for some, this young woman was able to make her way into the record books almost effortlessly.
“I’ve never been much of an offensive player,” admitted Gregorek, whose dominating 6’1 presence in the paint has also landed her within the top 10 for most rebounds and top 3 for blocked shots in Lion’s basketball history.
“I didn’t even think about reaching 1000 points when I first came to college because I didn’t reach it in high school,” she said. “More towards my junior year, when I realized I could potentially hit it, did it become a goal.”
So was playing college ball always on the agenda for Gregorek?
“I always knew I wanted to play in college,” she said. “I started looking at schools my junior year but then I tore my ACL, so I had to play catch-up most of my senior year.”
Gregorek was offered a Division II scholarship to Franklin Pierce University in New England, but turned it down because it was too far away from home and her number one fans: her parents.
By the end of the recruiting process, Gregorek made the decision to grace The College of New Jersey with her talent.
“I would say the academics were the first thing that drew me to TCNJ,” she said. “I based every D-3 program on the vibe that I got from the school and it just seemed like a good fit here.”
In reflecting about her rookie year at The College, Gregorek admits that the toughest adjustment was learning to play with girls that were actually her size.
“I really had to become a better player,” she admitted. And that she did. Even as a freshman, Gregorek had a significant role off the bench and was undoubtedly a go-to player in the paint.
And now, four seasons later, Gregorek has matured exponentially as an athlete. As the starting center and senior captain, she accredits much of her success to a few female Lions that preceded her, namely Margo Buchalski and Breanne Depken.
“Breanne was my buddy and she was effortless on the floor,” said Gregorek. “And Margo Buchalski was the captain. Even when she didn’t start, she was really committed to the team and loved the girls she played with.”
But Gregorek admits, nothing compared to being on the floor with Hillary Klimowicz.
“(Klimowicz) is probably one of the best players I ever played with,” said Gregorek. “She is someone that pushed me everyday in practice. When practice was over, we were back to being best friends.”
In addition to being a student-athlete, with a major in interdisciplinary business and a minor in economics and German, Gregorek is also a SAAC committee member and the founder of TCNJ’s Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that raises money for children with cleft lips and palates in third world and developing countries.
“It’s easy to get lost in athletics,” said Gregorek, “Especially in terms of who you socialize with. I have a lot of friends who aren’t athletes and that’s very important to me.”
With the season at a close and graduation quickly approaching, Gregorek admits that she is ready to put basketball behind her.
“I probably won’t play after college,” she said. “I want to do other things. It seems like I’m kinda closing a chapter in my life, like now I want to do a triathlon. But in terms of basketball, I’m ready to move on.”
When asked to look ahead to the future, Gregorek’s life seems to be an open book.
“I want to live in Manhattan but I don’t know what kind of field I want to be in,” she admits. “Maybe I’ll be settling down, maybe with someone? I don’t know, I haven’t really thought that far in advance. Whatever I’m doing, I hope I’m happy.”