In the fall of 2020, four field hockey players found themselves in a situation they never could have predicted. Maddie George, Mollie Schuma, and Maddie McGaughey arrived at William & Mary, while Ellie Taylor began her academic and athletic career at Davidson College. However, the COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench into their plans, resulting in a canceled fall season and a significantly shortened spring season in 2021.
Despite the challenges they faced, an NCAA rule granting an extra year of eligibility to athletes affected by the COVID season allowed all four players to return for another year. George, Schuma, and McGaughey are now entering their fifth and final season with the Tribe as graduate students, while Taylor transferred to William & Mary after graduating from Davidson and has two seasons left to play.
After a tumultuous start, the Tribe persevered and eventually won the CAA championship in 2023. For these athletes, the journey has been nothing short of a „long, strange trip,“ as Schuma aptly put it. Reflecting on their experiences, they all expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue playing the sport they love while pursuing advanced degrees at a prestigious university.
Schuma, enrolled in the MS in Business Analytics program, emphasized the importance of finishing strong and making the most of the four years they deserve. McGaughey, also in the MSBA program, found the experience both challenging and rewarding, highlighting the excitement of finally being able to have a full season and further her academic career.
For George, the unexpected turn of events led to a realization of the valuable opportunity before her. Despite the initial disappointment of a disrupted freshman year, she now sees the additional season as a chance to grow both athletically and academically. Taylor, who graduated with a degree in art history, sees her transfer to William & Mary as an unexpected but amazing opportunity to pursue a Master of Arts in anthropology.
As they gear up for the upcoming season, which kicks off on August 30 at Duke, Tribe coach Tess Ellis is grateful to have four seasoned players on her team. With George and McGaughey boasting a combined 100 starts on defense, their experience will be invaluable in guiding younger players and solidifying the team’s performance on the field. Additionally, the opportunity for all four athletes to pursue graduate studies underscores the holistic development and growth that collegiate athletics can offer.
In conclusion, the journey of these four field hockey players is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of seizing opportunities in the face of adversity. Their story serves as a reminder of the unexpected paths that life can take and the importance of embracing challenges with determination and optimism.