Conversations with Past and Present Saint Michael's Athletes

Sara Pope: Class of 2004
Sara Pope completed an incredible academic and athletic career at Saint Michael's College in May of 2004. She participated in soccer, ice hockey and softball.

Q:  Why did you first choose to attend Saint Michael's College? Was it the athletics that brought you here or was it the academics? A:  I had never heard of Saint Michael's until the soccer coach here contacted me. My first experience was coming up here on a recruiting trip. I liked the fact that I could play both soccer and softball here, but I also wanted to make sure that if for some reason I was unable to play sports that I would still be happy. After visiting the campus and talking to a few people who had experience with the college, I knew that academically it was right for me as well as athletically. Sports got me to look at Saint Mike's, but academics and atmosphere brought me here.

Q:  What is the most memorable moment you had playing Saint Michael's athletics?
A:  Although I remember each and every time I have ever stepped on the field with any of my teammates and even though as a soccer and softball program over the past four years many records have been set and broken, I would have to say my most memorable moment playing at Saint Mike's would be when I played ice hockey sophomore year. I had gone to a practice just to see how it all worked, and I warned them that I couldn't skate very well and had never played before, but when I got there they had a pair of skates waiting for me. I only knew one person on the team at the time, the girl who convinced me that I should play because they needed people badly. I'll never forget the time I first stepped on the ice; I fell. And that's pretty much how the rest of the night went, me falling and running into people who actually knew what they were doing. I know they were wondering who I was and what I was doing out there; I know I was asking myself what I had gotten into. It was definitely a humbling experience, but it was also one of the best. I owe that to the coach and the team, they somehow managed not to get too frustrated with me.

Q:  Being a student athlete can be difficult as you have to juggle school work with practice and games.  You were a three sport athlete in an era where that is virtually unheard of.  How is it to manage all your activities?  And do you think it added or subtracted from your overall college experience?
A:  It has without a doubt added to my experience here. I only did the three sports my sophomore year. I definitely learned why three-sport athletes are virtually unheard of. There were days when I had all three sports in one day because of the way things overlapped. But I wouldn't trade in any of the early mornings or the late nights of practice and school work. We are only here for four years, and paying dearly for all of them. Sometimes I would wonder how much I was missing out on because of the weekend games and away trips, but the experiences I had with my teams never once made me second guess the choices I've made. The girls that I play with are my closest friends and I am fortunate to have them. Never once have they made me feel badly about not being around or not going out. When I am in season with them they are by my side and when I'm in season with another team they're on the sideline cheering us on. It is amazing what you can accomplish when you feel loved and supported by so many people and the friendships you form within teams are unlike any other. In my experience, the hardest part is when you realize that no matter what choice you make, someone will be disappointed. Having to choose between games and class or between a night out or a night in the library can be rough. I hated having to make those choices and then having to look a professor or your team in the eye and say "you are not my top priority right now". Even though I know they understand, it doesn't always make it easy. But the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages and nothing will be able to compare to the times I have spent with my teammates. I would do it all over again in a second, even when it means a sleepless night in the library to do it.

Q:  Vermont weather is different than anywhere else in the country, and it affects athletes in a much different way than most.  How was it practicing/playing in those conditions?  And was it a good experience or something that you dreaded?
A:  Something I dreaded. I am from Massachusetts, so the weather isn't extremely different, but the winters up here are like no other. Longer, colder, greyer. In soccer it wasn't so bad because we were running around which made it easier to stay warm, but softball could be miserable sometimes. The weather would keep us in the gym for pretty much the whole first half of the season. And the sting of the bat on your hands when it's cold enough to hail is one I won't be missing. It's tough to keep warm when you're standing out there instead of running. The upside is that when it does get warm the weather is beautiful. It was always a fewer degrees cooler up here than in Massachusetts so for preseason in August that was nice. But it took some adapting to get used to the cold fall and early spring days.

Q:  SMC is a different kind of place to play college athletics; it is a small school environment where you know a majority of the people on campus.  How did that add or subtract from your athletic experiences? Was it good to have everyone know who you are, or does that add to the pressure?
A:  I look at it as a positive thing. It is always great to see familiar faces on the sidelines, everyone from priests to little brothers and sisters. The thing about a place like Saint Michael's is that most of the athletes aren't getting money to play and don't plan on heading to professional or Olympic teams. We play because we love the sport and our fans come because they know and love us. Of course it's always more fun to cheer on a team that wins a lot, but I've seen just as many fans come to games when the team had a losing record and little respect within the conference. I was lucky enough to be on teams that are up and coming and so each year was better than the last. It's a great feeling to know that your classmates and friends respect what you do and come out to see you do it, especially since every sport comes with a little bit of a social sacrifice.

Q:  Women's sports has evolved at a great pace in the past ten years. How has the inclusion of such sports as ice hockey changed your experience as an SMC athlete? 
A:  Absolutely. Like I said before, all the teams I've been on have been on the way up, improving more every year. Ice hockey is a great example. I am happy to say that I don't think there would even be a place for me on the team anymore, skills wise. They have improved so much, it is one of the least respected sports Saint Mike's has, but they go out there everyday and fight in a conference that has full scholarships for women hockey players. I feel fortunate to have been a part of the program when I was. It was a very mixed team; some had been playing since they were five, and some who had been playing since they were 19, like me. We didn't get the money, we didn't get the fans and we didn't get the respect, but teams like the hockey and softball teams show that it can be done and there are people to do it. Playing on that team taught me a lot about the battle less-established sports are fighting, but on teams like these is where you'll find the true athletes, the ones who play knowing glory is not a common outcome.

Q:  SMC has changed a lot with the addition of new playing fields and facilities in the past 20 years.  How has it been playing on nice fields like Doc Jacobs, and having use of the Ross Sports Center?
A:  I can honestly say that I am proud every time I step on the field. Our groundskeepers work very hard to keep the fields in the shape that they are in and their work shows. I always hear other teams comment on the condition of Doc Jacobs, and that really reflects on the people who work to keep it looking as it does. But it also is seen as a reflection of our teams as well, a nice field seems to signify a team who takes pride in themselves as well as their facilities. The Ross Sports Center has really been helpful in the winter months when getting outside is impossible. I know a lot of free gym time is taken away so we can use the courts for practices, but being able to have those practices has usually led to a more positive outcome for us.

Q:  What has being an SMC athlete meant to you? Is it an experience you think will benefit you later in life?
A:  Well, there is no doubt that it has and will benefit me. There are lessons and experiences that come through athletics that are hard if not impossible to learn off the field. Being an SMC athlete, to me, means pushing yourself as far as you can go. We are a school that always seems to be fighting for respect in the conference, and each year we push ourselves to see how far we can go. It means being respected and supported. The athletic department, the coaches, professors and peers have all contributed to my success here. I have done things I never dreamed of when I was a freshman, but it is amazing what you are able to do when you feel a wave of encouragement behind you. It means learning to balance. School, sports and social life can sometimes be enough to make you want to disappear for just an hour so no one can ask or demand anything of you. Organization and balance, as well as the occasional breakdown, are all important parts of being able to keep up with everything. It means learning to focus. With all the demands on you, you have to be able to know that class time is class time, soccer time is soccer time, softball time is softball time and dinnertime is dinnertime. You have to focus on what you're doing at the moment even though your mind wants to wander to the game you have at 3 o'clock or the 10-page paper due tomorrow. It also means sacrifice. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, something has to go. Usually it's sleep and social time, but sometimes you have to sacrifice other things in order to stay sane. Being an SMC athlete means that you will be supported and respected as a peer and as role model as you get older. Focus, balance, sacrifice and determination work in a circle; the more you throw into it, the more you get back and the easier it is to stay on the right track. As an athlete here, you get what you need to keep putting these things into the circle.

Q:  Any advice for current/future SMC athletes?
A:  My advice for any current/future SMC athletes, aside from the cliché, "enjoy these four years because they are going to fly", which is true, but not very helpful, is know and accept that you cannot do it all. There will be times when you feel overwhelmed and there will be times when you feel like you're taking care of business in all aspects of life. But there will come a time when you're going to have to prioritize and sacrifice something, even if it's only for one day. Know that you will have awful games and awesome games but that despite personal performance, you need to be there for your team. You will strike out, miss the net and bomb a quiz. But you will also make the catch, hit the shot and ace the paper and through all the ups and downs the best resource you will have is your team. USE IT. Don't be afraid to ask for help, because they, of all people, will know best where you are coming from. Enjoy your time, be willing to make the sacrifices, and take this place for all it's worth. Hey, you're paying 30 grand to be here, I know I wanted to make every penny worth it.