Alyssa Gabbidon '21 Recruiting Profile

People always ask athletes who their role models are. Some might say a famous player or even a successful older sibling. Others may look to their parents or close friends for inspiration. Growing up playing field hockey, I never quite had a player who was my role model.  There was no college athlete or team USA member who resembled what I looked like or what I stood for. As a result, at a young age I became my own role model.  I wanted to stand out on the field not only because I was a person of color, but because of my talent. I wanted to break the stereotype that field hockey is a sport that minorities don't typically participate in. Every single game I play, I play for young girls like me who felt as though they didn't belong in the sport they adored. I play as fiercely and passionately as I can so that I can be a role model for anyone who doesn't fit the standard of what is "normal" in their sport. That is what may make me different from your typical college-bound field hockey player. I want to push boundaries not only in my small New Hampshire town, but also in college. I would love to bring my fire to the collegiate level with the hope to be tested both physically and academically at the next place I have the privilege of calling home.