Freshman Field Hockey and Basketball Player Nanci Marcello

Q: What motivated you to play field hockey and basketball? 

NM: My mom was my motivation [to play field hockey]. She played field hockey in her high school years and she wanted me to give it a shot, [and] I wanted to try a new sport.  My grandpa was my motivation for basketball. He’s always told me he sees great potential with me in basketball, and he pushed me to try out finally after years of just watching me shooting hoops in the backyard since I was little up until now. He [also] played basketball when he was younger and was very good at it, which pushed me even more to try out and see what I could accomplish. 

Q: How has playing sports impacted your life? What have you learned about yourself from playing sports? 

NM: [Field hockey] has impacted my life in many different ways. I find it as an escape from reality and it clears my mind from things I stress about and have no control over. [Through playing], I’ve learned that nothing is handed to you. You have to earn what you want, and that hard work pays off.