National Girls & Sports Day - Molly McCluskey

Posted: Feb 03, 2022

NATIONAL GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY:

"February 2, 2022, marks the 36th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). This celebration inspires girls and women to play and be active, to realize their full power. The confidence, strength and character gained through sports participation are the very tools girls and women need to become strong leaders in sports and life. This year's event will also serve as the kickoff of WSF's activations for the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, happening throughout 2022.
A vibrant movement we celebrate annually, NGWSD honors the achievements of girls and women in sports and continues to Lead Her Forward by acknowledging the power of sports to unlock her limitless potential." - www.womenssportsfoundation.org

With this day we hope to inspire young female athletes by sharing the stories of our current student-athletes. We posed the same five questions to members of our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and will feature their answers and photos every day during NGWSD week.

When did you realize you had a passion for your sport?

I was in 5th grade and I was doing a summer clinic. My coach pulled me aside and asked if I wanted to play with the high schoolers for the summer. Before that I didn't even realize that I may be good at the sport. After playing with the high school team I realized how much I loved the sport.

At what age did you start playing sports/your sport?

I started playing when I was in 2nd grade at seven years old.

Did someone inspire you?

Many people have inspired me. My very first coach made me love the game, she taught the most basic skills that I still use and practice today, and she was at my signing to play in college. Another family friend that I knew played sports in college. She was always very athletic and had an amazing work ethic. I really looked up to her and wanted to follow in her footsteps.

Who is your biggest fan?

My mom is definitely my biggest fan. Ever since I was a little girl she would drive me to and from practices and games. She made sure I had water and snacks and all my gear. Even now, she drives over two hours to watch me play whenever she can. She has always pushed me to go above and beyond, on and off the field.

Why do you play?

I play to be a more well rounded member of society. I believe being a student-athlete has taught many of the lessons needed to survive and succeed in our world. I play because I love the game, I love how fast-paced it is, I love how many teammates I get to share this experience with, I love being active, I love how technical the game is. One moment you're driving the ball as hard as you can and the next you're using very delicate skills to beat defenders. It is such a fun game and I could not imagine my life without it.

-Molly McCluskey, Field Hockey, Class of 2023

#GOMONKS

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Founded in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy in Portland, Maine, Saint Joseph’s College is Maine’s Catholic liberal arts college in the Mercy tradition. We are inclusive of all faiths, including no faith. The 474-acre campus, located on the shore of Sebago Lake in Standish, Maine offers more than 40 undergraduate programs and a Division III athletic program to a population of approximately 1,000 on-campus students. A pioneer of distance education since the 1970s, the College also provides online certificates and undergraduate and graduate degrees for thousands more working adults who reside in more than 20 other countries. In 2015 the College was selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to receive its Community Engagement Classification, highlighting the College’s focus on community service throughout its mission and daily interactions within local, regional, and global communities. In 2018, Princeton Review recognized SJC as one of its “Green Colleges” for its sustainability initiatives. Learn more at www.sjcme.edu.

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