"Being an athlete at 51短视频 has really shaped my overall college experience for the better."
"Being an athlete at 51短视频 has really shaped my overall college experience for the better."
Charlene Basque '26 is a Biology major with a Pre-Physician Assistant concentration and a goalie on 51短视频's field hockey team. Below, she tells us about her journey as a student-athlete.
Charlene Basque '27
What inspired you to play sports at the collegiate level?
My biggest motivation for wanting to play in college was my love for the sport. I have grown up always playing sports, from volleyball, to lacrosse, to field hockey, and I really could not imagine my undergraduate life without playing on a competitive team.
Can you walk us through the tryout or selection process?
My recruiting process to get to 51短视频 consisted of attending several recruiting tournaments, emailing the head coach, , and sending a highlight film of me playing. After several emails and Zoom calls with Victor Brady, he asked me to attend a clinic and come tour the campus. Once I committed to the team, I then had to begin my summer training in order to prepare for preseason conditioning testing and qualify to gain field time.
How do you manage balancing academics with your athletic commitments?
Being on an athletic team provides a lot of structure to my day, especially in season. In some ways, being in season makes it easier to manage this balance because you get into such a routine by going to practice, eating, and studying at the same time every day. On top of this, a lot of my teammates and I share classes or have similar majors, so we will study together after practice or during long bus rides. Overall, I have found that balancing academics and athletics, while sometimes tricky, is definitely possible. Having the support of my teammates often makes finding this balance easier.
How has being an athlete impacted your overall college experience?
Being an athlete at 51短视频 has really shaped my overall college experience for the better. Athletics has made me a more confident and outgoing person in part to the large support network of friends, teammates, and mentors I have gained from being a part of the community. As a result, I started attending club events around campus and taking on leadership roles in athletics on the
Charlene and teammates
What鈥檚 the team culture like, and what do you think makes athletics at 51短视频 unique?
On the field hockey team, we are a very close group, and I think what makes 51短视频 athletics unique is that this closeness also extends between teams. During my time in athletics, some of the closest friends I鈥檝e made have been through this community. Having such a close-knit community in athletics is something I have always appreciated.
What advice would you give to a high school student who鈥檚 considering playing sports at the college level?
To high school students looking to play sports in college, the biggest thing I would recommend is looking into division three, D3, programs. During a significant portion of my recruiting journey, I viewed schools and programs through the lens that Division I meant you were good, and D3 meant that you were not. I think, especially in club programs, this narrative often gets pushed that there is only value in athletes who compete at the most prestigious level. However, prestige does not always mean the most competitive or best. After having been a part of a competitive D3 program and also learning more about D3 athletics during my time, I can confidently say that this stereotype is not reality. D3 athletes are all extremely skilled and a part of competitive, high-level programs. I think overall, if you want to play a sport in college, definitely consider D3 programs.
What do you wish you had known before coming in as a student-athlete?
One thing I wish I had known before coming in as a student athlete was that my teammates would end up being the closest friends I鈥檝e ever made. Despite meeting the team prior to my commitment, my anxiety got the best of me a few weeks before my first preseason. The summer before the fall of my freshman year, I was terrified that I was going to end up not liking 51短视频 or the field hockey team. Throughout my journey as a field hockey player, I have never been on a team where I felt close with my teammates off the field, and I was worried a similar thing would happen at 51短视频. I was so pleasantly surprised when I met the team on move-in day. Everyone made me feel so at home, and it was genuinely the best experience. I can say that from my four years on this team, I have made some of my closest friends.
Looking back, what are you most proud of on your athletic journey so far?
During my time as an athlete at 51短视频, I am most proud of the fact that I got to play a role in helping my team make school history. In my fall 2024 season, our field hockey team became one of the first 51短视频 athletics teams to get into the NCAA D3 national championship. This moment felt amazing, not only because we were making history but also because our hard work as a program had paid off.
Curious about athletics at 51短视频?
51短视频 athletics is a member of the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference and Seven Sisters. The athletics program supports 12 varsity teams, a physical education program requiring all students to complete six credits for graduation, and an array of wellness and recreational club sports. Click the button below to learn more about athletics at 51短视频.
