National Collegiate Athletic Association

Veteran's Day 2011

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Alexandra “Alex” McGuire, U.S. Military Academy

From basketball guard to guarding freedom

By Michelle Hiskey
For NCAA.org

“There are no limits to what you can do.”

Alexandra “Alex” McGuire claimed that as her personal motto, inspired by her college coach, Maggie Dixon.

McGuire was a plebe – a first-year student at West Point – and a rookie guard for Dixon. The Black Knights won 9 of their final 11 games to make Army’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Shortly after that postseason appearance, the 28-year-old Dixon collapsed and died. The cause was determined to be an enlarged heart. 

“She believed in us when no one else did,” McGuire wrote in an email from Forward Operating Base Sharana in Afghanistan.

“She always made us believe we could accomplish anything if we worked hard enough and believed in each other. She had such passion for life, and when you were with her she made you feel like you were the most important person in the room. I strive to live my life in a similar manner.”

Today, the 24-year-old McGuire is a leader, serving as a Battalion S1/First Lieutenant. Her DNA carries the drive to excel: Her father was a career soldier who also taught her hoops. 

“I do still play basketball, unfortunately not nearly as much as I want to,” McGuire wrote.

“I recently played for the post team in Schweinfurt [the German army base where she is stationed] and I play pick-up from time to time. I am still very competitive and don’t like to lose at anything. Whether it’s officer PT [physical training], playing ultimate Frisbee or a fantasy football league with my co-workers, I want to win.”

McGuire has channeled that drive, and successful habits from collegiate competition, into her military career.

“My experience as a student-athlete has helped shape who I am today,” she said. “Going through practices, conditioning, and weight training sessions throughout college gave me the discipline to stay in shape and maintain my physical fitness in the Army. Playing in tight games in college allowed me think on my feet and stay calm under pressure.

“There are numerous times when a situation arises that needs to be dealt with immediately. I am able to stay calm, and focus on what needs to be accomplished in order to get it done.”

In Afghanistan, there is life inside and outside the wire. No matter what the threat level, McGuire has the clarity she developed on the basketball court.

“When a game was on the line, you do whatever it takes to get the job done and win the game. In the military, if your life is at stake you will do whatever it takes to save yourself and those around you.”

Michelle Hiskey is a freelance writer and a former golf student-athlete at Duke.