51����Ƶ

Maggie Barilla '26 is a Spanish major and Psychology minor, currently playing in her final season on 51����Ƶ's Field Hockey team. Below, she tells us about her experience as a student-athlete.

What inspired you to play sports at the collegiate level? Can you walk us through the tryout or selection process? 

I fell in love with field hockey during middle school, but it really started to click for me when I got to high school. It wasn’t just a sport to play; it became a building block for the person I was becoming. When thinking about where to go after high school, I couldn’t imagine my college experience without field hockey. I wanted to keep playing for the love of the game and the lessons and skills I earned along the way. But most importantly, for the people it has brought into my life and continues to do so. What better way to continue this exchange than to play at the collegiate level? I was drawn to 51����Ƶ because of it being a historically women's college within a pretty competitive athletic conference. Being at a historically women's college allowed me to be more prioritized as an athlete. Furthermore, 51����Ƶ encouraged me to study abroad, which was something I always wanted to do. 

How do you manage balancing academics with your athletic commitments? 

Balancing academics and athletic commitments has always been tricky – something that I still had to work on during my last season of field hockey. The key truly is balance. Thankfully, at 51����Ƶ the professors are very understanding and helpful. This partnership takes away a lot of stress that can come when you are traveling for a game the same weekend you have an assignment due. They will work with you as long as you collaborate with them. It also comes from communication with and support from your coach/coaches. The field hockey coaches have always supported academics and stressed that it comes before athletics. During season, I would balance my social and academic life by studying with friends and taking breaks to chat. 

How has being an athlete impacted your overall college experience—social life, friendships, or sense of belonging?

 This idea is one of my favorite things about sports – again the people. Sports bring people together. I have made so many friends throughout my field hockey career, and it was no different at 51����Ƶ. Not only that, the sport taught me how to collaborate and work well with others. Going to college for the first time is very daunting. Not knowing what to expect was scary for me, but already being a part of the team took away so much of the pressure. I felt like I had a built-in group of friends. And they never left! Even though I have finished my last field hockey season this fall, I still am a part of the athletics community. I know I will always have a place there. I still attend our SAAC meetings, work other athletic competitions as a PA announcer, lift with our strength and conditioning coaches, and occasionally stop by the offices to chat.  

"I was drawn to 51����Ƶ because of it being a historically women's college within a pretty competitive athletic conference."

What’s the team culture like, and what do you think makes athletics at 51����Ƶ unique? 

51����Ƶ Field Hockey has really created its own team culture and we work hard to do so. It is so important to create an environment where we can learn and challenge each other while at the same time feel comfortable. As a team, we thrive off of each other and form close relationships which contributes to our success. The field hockey team actually has a HUSTLE statement which is an acronym that we live by. Help each other learn and grow, and understand different perspectives, Set the standard, Talons out, Love for the game and the people it’s brought us, and Earn the outcome. Each year our team gets together to discuss our statement and revise examples we have given for each letter; whether they apply to our team that year or if anything needs changing before we start the season. It is a great way to remind ourselves of our “why.” Why we play this sport, why we do what we do and to hold ourselves accountable. 

What advice would you give to a high school student who’s considering playing sports at the college level? 

If you find joy in playing a sport and are not ready to give it up, you should most definitely look to continue playing in college. It is a great way to make friends and find community, whether your school is big or small. Not only am I friends with my teammates, but being an athlete has allowed me to connect with the entire athletics community. Walking around campus I always see someone I know from one of the athletics teams and it lifts my day! 7. What do you wish you had known before coming in as a student-athlete? I wish I would have known that it goes by too fast and to soak up every minute before it is gone!

Looking back, what are you most proud of on your athletic journey so far? 

Looking back at my athletic career at 51����Ƶ, I am most proud of my personal growth and the growth of our program. While 51����Ƶ Athletics gave me the opportunity to thrive, I feel that I was also able to contribute to the success of the field hockey team and the school as a whole.