Field Hockey | 10/8/2020 9:29:21 AM
Junior Rebecca Peakes returns for her third season with the Hartwick College field hockey team in 2020-21. Peakes, who plays both midfield and defense, enjoyed a breakout season for the Hawks in 2019, recording nine points on a goal and seven assists, while helping lead Hartwick to the Empire 8 Championship and a berth in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. She has played in all 38 games over her first two seasons at Hartwick, tallying 15 points on a goal and 13 assists.
Peakes, a native of West Chester, PA, is a standout in the classroom as well with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. She is a four-time Empire 8 Presidents List and Hartwick Dean's List recipient, while earning back-to-back National Field Hockey Coaches Association National Academic Squad and Scholar of Distinction honors. Peakes is also a two-time winner of the Phillip S. Wilder Jr. Award for Academic distinction at Hartwick.
Rebecca Peakes - Why I Play
Institution: Hartwick College
Sport/Position: Field Hockey/Midfield and Defense
Academic Major: English Creative Writing, Primary Education Certification
GPA: 4.0
Class Year: Junior
Academic Honors/Clubs/Community Service Roles: Empire 8 Conference President's List and Dean's List every semester, Philip S. Wilder Jr. Award for Academic Distinction, Joan B. Gratz Prize in English and John Dewey Award for Education. I also serve as a volunteer coach for a youth team.
What Have You Done During the COVID-19 Pandemic to Stay Active and What Are Some Positive Effects of the Pandemic You Have Experienced? During the pandemic, I worked at the Philadelphia West Chester KOA campground, where I met the most wonderful people from all over the country. Hearing all of their unique stories, as well as exercising on my own time and playing in summer league games, has allowed me to stay positive and active during the pandemic.
What Role has Field Hockey Played in your Personal Development? Playing field hockey has allowed me to develop my leadership, time management, responsibility, cooperation, and sportsmanship skills – both through playing with my awesome team and coaching younger players.
At what age did you start playing Field Hockey and what made you stay with it? Did you play any other sports growing up? I started playing field hockey when I was eight years old, and I also started taking dance lessons around the same time. I stuck with my all-time favorite sport because I think I would fall apart if I couldn't play. I love this sport with everything I have.
Any Superstitions When It Comes to Pregame Rituals/Training? While my team has many fun pre-game rituals, my own personal rituals are that I must triple-knot my shoelaces and wear the exact same pink Hocsocx every game.
Why Did You Decide to Attend Hartwick? I decided to attend Hartwick because of the small class sizes, beautiful campus views, and the welcoming, friendly, and all-around awesome field hockey team. I fell in love as soon as I stepped on campus.
How has Playing Collegiately and in the Empire 8 Prepared You For Life After College?
Playing collegiately has prepared me for life after college because I am able to pursue my academic dreams while still playing my favorite sport at a high level. I have the freedom and opportunities to build a future career outside of sports without totally forgoing field hockey during college. Hartwick and the Empire 8 foster welcoming and inclusive, yet highly-competitive, academic and athletic environments with multiple opportunities for future achievement and success.
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time in College: My favorite memory was winning the E8 Conference Championship in 2019 and playing in the NCAA Tournament. Go Hawks!
Favorite Team: United States Women's National Field Hockey Team
Favorite Movie: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Favorite TV Show: Game of Thrones
Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Avatar the Last Airbender
Favorite Food: Ice Cream
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Ben and Jerry's Half Baked
One Thing Most People Do Not Know About You: I am allergic to horses.
Advice to Younger Student-Athletes on Why You Chose to Play a Collegiate Sport and Why Playing A Sport is So Important/Beneficial?
Playing a sport, especially at the collegiate level, allows you to meet the greatest people (some of whom will become your closest friends) and teaches you lifelong personal development skills and the value of keeping physically active. Cherish your time with your sport, and have fun while playing hard. The time will fly by faster than you think, so never lose your love for your sport!
The Empire 8 Conference's “Why I Play” Series features a student-athlete from one of its member institutions who discusses devotion to its respective sport.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
EMPIRE 8 SOCIAL MEDIA
YouTube –
Facebook –
Twitter –
Instagram