Following the great success of our spring Senior Spotlights, UnionAthletics.com will spend the next few weeks spotlighting many of the Union seniors from all 26 Union varsity sports! Previous senior profiles can be viewed by heading to http://www.unionathletics.com/seniorspotlights.
Jenna Smith has been a four-year contributor for the Union field hockey team, appearing in 60 games with 20 starts on defense during her career. She had her best season as a sophomore, when she started 14 games and also came up the field to score two goals with an assist. She added one more goal during her junior season, when she played 17 games for a second straight season, before starting two of her 11 appearances as a senior.
An English and geology ID major, Smith is a four-year member of the NFHCA National Academic Squad and a two-time Liberty League All-Academic Team honoree. Outside of field hockey, she is managing editor of the
Concordiensis, the communications chair of the Scholar's Steering Committee, and was inducted into the Sigma Tau Delta International English Honors Society.
What has been your favorite moment as a student-athlete at Union?
My sophomore year, I still remember Senior Day, our 3-2 overtime victory over Utica College. We were down 2-1, and with 13 minutes to go in regulation, I (a defender) scored the goal to tie it up and send us into overtime. That game was exhilarating, with our senior captain taking a potential goal to the chest to block the shot and save the game. We ended up winning in overtime and I remember the absolute pride of that moment. I played my heart out for my seniors (and was super proud of the play and result on my own Senior Day as well).
How has being a student-athlete at Union benefited you over the last four years?
Being a student-athlete gave me structure, discipline, time management, and the ability to pursue excellence in a sport I love with a team of awesome ladies.
What has been your most meaningful experience outside of athletics?
Studying abroad in London, building a global perspective, and interning for a publishing company while I was there. It was my first time traveling outside the northeastern United States.
Who was/is your favorite professor at Union and why?
Jordan Smith [Edward Everett Hale Jr. Professor of English] is the OG. He's one of the best English professors; I took three poetry workshops with him. He's incredibly knowledgeable, constructive and passionate about the topic, and he invests in his students. I loved his courses.
Do you have plans for post-graduation yet? If so, what are they?
Postgrad I have a summer research fellowship with Professor Seri publishing her manuscript, and I'm currently applying to become a Publicity Assistant or Managing Editor for a publishing company.
What advice (if any) would you give to younger athletes about their time at Union?
Play like it's your last time on the field; the time will fly by, so cherish the little moments. Lead by example. Let your work ethic speak volumes come preseason and make a strong first impression from the start.
