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Seidenstricker uses college athletics to find her niche

By Alexandra Assimon

NCAA.org

Bright-eyed with a new sense of freedom, college freshmen rarely know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. Throughout the next four years these bright-eyed kids blossom into well-rounded adults with the world of endless opportunities in front of them.

Brynn Seidenstricker, a senior field hockey standout at Division II’s Shippensburg University is a prime example of how these four years can help determine life after being a student-athlete, both on and off the field.

A member of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division II National Academic Squad all three years thus far in her career, she credits her athletic administrators and coaches with helping her find a balance.

“I know Division II’s logo is ‘life in the balance’ and I definitely think it (Shippensburg) exemplifies that. We are here to play, but academics is our main priority,” explained Seidenstricker.

As her playing career winds down, this defender knows exactly what she is after - a national championship. A two-time final four and one-time final six participant, Seidenstricker knows the title is within her grasp.

The Shippensburg Raiders already defeated the number one ranked team in the country this season, but Seidenstricker knows that the win guarantees nothing.

“It was a great feeling of redemption after West Chester sent us home in the final four last year but we still need to take it game by game,” stated Seidenstricker.

With the realization that her field hockey career ending this year, Seidenstricker has her eyes set on a few career options.

Serving as the national Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative for her conference, Seidenstricker has found a love outside of field hockey - athletics administration.

The human resources management major, who holds a minor in coaching, wants to pursue a career in college athletics. Working at the institutional level or at the NCAA national office is her ultimate goal and she hopes to someday earn a master’s degree in sports administration.

She credits her journey to this discovery with her work on national SAAC and hopes to someday use her collegiate experience to encourage those of future student-athletes.

Although her student-athlete chapter is almost closed, the next one waiting for her looks just as bright.