Info@NJGRITFieldHockey.com (Grace - Resilience - Integrity - Teamwork)
Stories of GRIT: Alexandra Shizas Commits to Bucknell
2022 West Essex High School Defender
Perfect Balance/Fit
Alexandra Shizas has always done a great job excelling in the classroom as well as on the field
hockey field. As she began to think about what school and field hockey program she wanted to
attend she kept the balance between academic and athletic success as a main priority. “I knew I
wanted to get a great education, make new connections, have fun, and win, and I knew that
Bucknell 100% offers this to me.”
Making connections with teammates and coaches is something that stood out to Shizas the most
about Bucknell. Throughout her field hockey career, both in high school and at club, Shizas felt
she built and maintained strong relationships. Building strong relationships was important to
Shizas because it helped her grow, encouraged her to always persevere and continue to work
hard. “All the players at Bucknell had a very strong connection with Coach Jeremy and seemed
very happy with the program. Many of the players, who were freshman, had not yet really
experienced a full season yet so it was really promising how connected and invested they already
were with the program.”
Although Shizas is only a junior, with one more year of high school and club play, she is already
excited to enhance her game. “I am most looking forward to learning the game from a different
coach’s perspective. I always love learning new skills and seeing how different teams play
different games and since I know the college game is very different from high school, I am really
excited to learn and practice those new concepts.” She also looks forward to exploring the
academic side of Bucknell. She has not yet chosen a major but is excited to work hard and figure
out what is best for her at Bucknell and beyond.
Process
Shizas had to be focused and determined throughout her recruiting process and 2020 season
because of COVID. “Since our high school season and club tournaments were so sporadic, no
one ever knew if the season was going to get fully shut down so we had to constantly play like
the next day, game, or tournament was our last” said Shizas. She had to continue keeping her,
and her teammates, stick skills, confidence, and mentality sharp. “I would always try to make
everyone else have this same attitude. Whenever someone else was down on themselves, or the
situation we were given, I would always tell them to think positive and keep a strong mentality.”
Personally, Shizas had to be flexible during the recruit process. “I don’t like being on my phone
a lot and I am terrible with keeping up with my email and texts. I definitely communicate better
face to face. So when COVID moved us to a more digital world I had to overcome this challenge
by getting out of my comfort zone and be myself over phone calls and FaceTimes.”
Luckily, Shizas was able to visit the Bucknell campus with her mom. She loved everything about
it and felt it was extremely safe. “As soon as I stepped on the campus I told my mom I felt safe
and could most definitely envision myself spending the next 4 years here.”
As Shizas committed to Bucknell, her high school and club teammate, Gianna Puorro, committed
to Bucknell as well. “I am absolutely thrilled to get to go to college and play with Gianna for 4
more years. Family and my home circle is very important to me, so I know I am going to feel
comfortable and enjoy Gianna being at college with me. I think we will be able to relate to each
other and help each other out.”
High School/GRIT History
Growing up Shizas played all different sports to stay active and have fun with friends. “It wasn’t until 8th grade when I joined the club team that I started to really love the sport of field hockey. Through the club, I was exposed to a very competitive and fast paced side of field hockey. My freshman year, I made varsity for West Essex, and that really solidified my competitive love for the game.”
Shizas has always been a dedicated and effective leader in her high school program and club teams. This season, the West Essex Field Hockey team lost a very strong group of 2019 seniors and left gaps all over the field. “I knew I had to step up and become a really strong leader in 2020 especially with COVID. There was panic in the beginning of the season as to whether we were going to have a season or not, so as captains, we had to keep the team motivated through all of the ups and downs.” Her determination and thrive to always make everyone around her feel good is one of the many reasons Shizas has stepped into her leadership role so well. “I would never want to leave the field, in a game or practice, without doing everything possible to be satisfied with my performance and I would never want someone else feeling upset, nervous, or disappointed with their play or the game. I’ve been in that position before and had some amazing teammates around me to help me gain confidence. I now try and surround others with this support to motivate them and build their confidence.”
“Through the process, I really want to thank my family, coaches, and friends for constant encouragement to keep going even through all of the downfalls with COVID. Specifically, my coach, Jill Cosse, her work ethic gave me the determination to never give up. Without that, I don’t believe I would be where I am right now.”
Alexandra playing in 8th grade