To answer my own question, I don’t know. I’ve never had the experience of taking on the role of student-athlete at an institution as rigorous as Holy Cross. I played sports in high school, sure, but was curious to hear about the career of a female athlete at HC. So, I asked my friend and roommate, Hanna Beck ’23, some questions about her experience playing on the tennis team.
- Hanna walked on to the tennis team our freshman year. I was curious to know why she decided to become a part of the team after arriving at HC.
Hanna emphasized that she first wanted to join the team to meet people. I can definitely attest to the longing for belonging that accompanies so many first-year students. She’d heard that it was an inclusive environment and was looking to play on a welcoming team. Not unlike many other elite athletes, Hanna had a pressurized relationship with tennis growing up. In high school, especially for tennis, was very competitive. When Hanna decided she wasn’t going to play in college, she recalls coaches paying less attention to her game. However, with more supportive coaching and a friendly environment, Hanna noted that she definitely improved in college.
- What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned during your time at Holy Cross?
The biggest lesson that Hanna learned throughout both her athletic and academic careers is that you can’t succeed without teamwork. Tennis, being such an individual sport, can often neglect the importance of a team. Hanna, however, realized in college the true value of a team. She noted that this is something that she will hold dear during the rest of her time at HC and in her future endeavors.
- How have you been able to balance school and tennis? Any time management tips?
Hanna noted that the biggest challenge she’s found throughout her time at HC has been balancing her time spent as a student and as an athlete. The biggest takeaway she’s discovered is to prioritize free time. Wisely noting that “you’ll never regret quality time with friends,” Hanna has learned to break the day up into smaller sections, making sure to set aside time to hang out with friends and take a break.
- Your team is one of the smaller ones on campus, do you ever feel undervalued by the athletics dept?
In short, yes. Although the assistant AD for student athlete development has been an exceptional guide for Hanna’s team throughout the neglect, the nature of the team’s small size causes them to be looked over and given last priority. The tennis team doesn’t have a locker room, facilities for tennis courts, or prioritized apparel. Overall, the team is under-resourced, not even having a full-time coach, which undoubtedly sets them apart athletically.
- I know that body image issues/eating disorders are rampant among female athletes. Do you think HC does enough to help? How has this impacted your athletic career?
The lack of a nutritionist for student-athletes definitely does not help HC. Hanna has been given no formal advice on how to eat, and the only place that fuel is encouraged for athletes is in the weight room. To Hanna, not having a nutritionist is “unacceptable for D1 program.” The department does have a machine that scans the body for body fat percentage, etc. but no teaching on how to interpret the results is provided.
- How do you think your experience will help you in the future? Would you recommend this path to prospective female student-athletes? (i.e. – was it worth it?)
Hanna believes that it was definitely worth it. She learned how to be a leader in many different ways, learned what dedication truly means, and learned the value of sacrifice. These big three takeaways will definitely aid Hanna both career-wise and on a deeper level. Learning how to sacrifice and when is definitely helpful when making priorities. Ultimately, even though tennis can feel individual, working towards a common goal with others has prepared Hanna well for whatever the future beyond Holy Cross.