sports

Q&A with Syracuse Student-Athlete (and National Champion!) Laura Hurff

Laura Hurff is a sophomore majoring in exercise science with a minor in psychology. She is also a member of the Syracuse University Division I field hockey team that just won a national championship. I sat down with Laura to talk about playing sports in college and how she balances academics and athletics.

Q. How did you decide SU was the right fit for you as an athlete and student?

I chose Syracuse because when I visited it honestly felt like home. I had a feeling that I was meant to be at Syracuse. It felt like the perfect size, the team was full of amazing people and still is, and I knew the coaching staff would help me develop into a player I had always dreamed of being. It was just home.

Q. What is a typical day like for you?

During season, a typical day consists of me going to class from 8 am- 2pm and then practice 2:30 to 6:30. Then I go home to shower, cook, and hopefully start homework before 9:00. I typically don’t go to bed until midnight most nights either because of homework or because I am seeing friends, as nighttime is my only real free time.

Q. What is your favorite thing about playing sports in college? What is your least favorite?

My favorite part is the atmosphere of competition and the family you get with it. Coming in as a freshman, I already had 20 or more people to call not only my teammates, but also my family. You just meet such a wide array of people through sports. I love that I can walk around campus and say hi to at least one or two people I know on my way to a class. My least favorite part is that most days I don’t have much time to relax. 

Q. Do you see yourself playing field hockey after college?

My dream is to play on the national team and one day go to the Olympics. When I’m done playing competitively, I hope to pursue my physical therapy profession first, and then possibly be a high school or college coach. One of my other dreams is to set up a youth program in whatever state I end up living in.

Q. What has been your favorite memory at Syracuse?

So far, my favorite memory at Syracuse has been WINNING THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

Q. After winning the national championship, what was the first thing you did?

First, I hugged all my teammates. Then I ran over to my mom–cried– and hugged her. I actually wear the number 14 because that’s the number my mom wore in college when her team won the first and only Division I women’s lacrosse championship at Delaware.

Q. If you could change anything about Syracuse athletics, what would it be?

I think it would be nice to have an athlete social or formal so that we can all meet one another. I also think the promotion for sports could be consistent. There is a big focus on football and basketball but we don’t get as many spectators. All of our sports teams are great and we would love to have more fans come out to support us.

 

Samantha Trombley ’18, is public relations and policy studies major. She is originally from Franklin, CT. Sam is a member of Hill Communications, the on-campus public relations firm. She is also a member of the Girl Code Movement, the women’s club lacrosse team, and the Kappa Alpha Theta women’s fraternity. In her free time she enjoys hiking, volunteering, traveling, and spending time with friends. More blogs from Samantha Trombley.

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What are Syracuse students thankful for?

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and Syracuse students are heading home for a break from classes and a chance to see friends and family. (I personally cannot wait to see my dog and eat several plates of mashed potatoes.)

The classic Thanksgiving question is, of course, “What are you thankful for?” So, I asked a few of my classmates what they are thankful for as students at Syracuse University.

“I’m thankful for the diversity, specifically referring to clubs and activities that I can get involved in. Cuse offers an abundant amount of clubs and extracurriculars that students can participate in and campus is NEVER dull. There’s always stuff going on.”- Vida Hawkes, Citizenship and Civic Engagement and Policy Studies major, participates in Mock Trial and the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity

“I’m thankful for the friendships I have made and the communities I am a part of.”- Michelle Jordan, Public Relations and Marketing major, Hill Communications associate and member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority

“I’m thankful for the sense of community that I feel at Syracuse University. And the sports!”- Jacob Landis, Undecided, Dedicated Orange fan

“I’m thankful for the friends I have at SU. Being able to say I have friends all around the U.S. and the world is exciting. I am also grateful for finding a home here at Syracuse. I seldom get homesick because the environment here is so inclusive and welcoming. The academics are interesting and extracurriculars keep me busy.”- Jackie Page, International Relations major, participates in ROTC, Nourish International, Women’s Club Lacrosse and Color Guard

 

Samantha Trombley ’18, is public relations and policy studies major. She is originally from Franklin, CT. Sam is a member of Hill Communications, the on-campus public relations firm. She is also a member of the Girl Code Movement, the women’s club lacrosse team, and the Kappa Alpha Theta women’s fraternity. In her free time she enjoys hiking, volunteering, traveling, and spending time with friends. More blogs from Samantha Trombley.

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Six Tips for Staying in Shape in College

When it comes to fitness, the transition from high school to college can be challenging. In high school, everybody got their fair share of exercise between gym class, sports, and club activities. I myself was a three-sport athlete, so working out was planned into my everyday schedule.

As the “Freshman Fifteen” is a fear of many incoming students, here are a few tips from a former freshman on how to avoid it:

1.)  Plan it out: College schedules are a lot different than high school. My first semester freshman year, I was in class from 9 am to 4 pm on Monday and only had two classes on Tuesday. I found it very helpful to have some sort of calendar to help me visually see the windows of time I had to work out. Whether it be on a whiteboard, an agenda, or even your phone, having a calendar will help you know that some days you might be able to get a run in between classes while other days you will have to split up your exercise or wake up early.

2.)  Join a Club Team: There are over 40 club teams at SU, so if you miss playing a sport, club teams are a great way to meet new people and stay in shape. I joined women’s club lacrosse as a freshman, and I’ve met some of my closest friends through the team. If the club is a little too competitive or you want to try something different, get a group together and start an intramural team.

3.)  Use the Facilities: SU has seven gyms conveniently located around campus. There are plenty of machines, exercise rooms, and free weights for the workout regimen of any gym-goer. If you’re bored of the same old gym routine, try swimming laps in the Archbold Pool or shooting hoops on the Women’s Building basketball courts. As of this October, I can proudly say that I have been to every gym on campus!

4.)  Try a Fitness Class: Why not get a credit for working out? My Monday morning yoga class keeps me sane for the rest of the week–and it’s for credit! SU offers single-credit fitness classes, including yoga, kickboxing, boot camp, and much more. If a fitness class doesn’t fit into your schedule, there are plenty of paid classes that students can buy each semester. If you want to try a fitness class but don’t know what you want to do, the Department of Recreation offers a variety of free fitness classes on Mondays and Fridays every semester.

5.)  Enjoy the Weather: For a good chunk of both the fall and spring semesters, there are great outdoor areas around SU to exercise. Instead of doing squats and abs in the gym, find a spot on the quad and enjoy the fresh air while working out. The neighborhoods around campus are great for running. My favorite places to run are the trails on South Campus, which are also nice for mountain bikers.

6.)  Don’t skip out on meals: This was one of my biggest problems freshman year, but now, I always make sure to eat breakfast and snack so that I am fueled throughout the day. It’s tempting to skip breakfast when you have an 8 am class and want those extra 20 minutes of sleep. However, skipping breakfast can negatively affect your day and become a bad habit (as listening to your stomach growl mid-lecture can be very distracting). Breakfast fuels your brain and your body so that you’re on your A-game all day.

Start with these tips, figure out what works best for you, and you’ll be well on your way to maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle freshman year and thereafter.

 

Samantha Trombley ’18, is public relations and policy studies major. She is originally from Franklin, CT. Sam is a member of Hill Communications, the on-campus public relations firm. She is also a member of the Girl Code Movement, the women’s club lacrosse team, and the Kappa Alpha Theta women’s fraternity. In her free time she enjoys hiking, volunteering, traveling, and spending time with friends. More blogs from Samantha Trombley.