Field Hockey | 1/7/2021 9:27:00 AM
Sydney Scaccia returns for her fourth season with the Utica College field hockey and women's lacrosse teams in 2020-21. Scaccia enjoyed an excellent season for the Pioneers field hockey program in 2019, recording 24 points on 10 goals and four assists on her way to earning All-Empire 8 second team accolades. On the lacrosse field, she led the Pioneers to a 4-0 record before the 2020 season was ended due to COVID-19.
Scaccia, a native of Whitesboro, NY, has appeared in 55 career games for the Utica field hockey team, tallying 47 points on 19 goals and nine assists. A standout defender on the lacrosse field, Scaccia has 50 ground balls, 35 caused turnovers one goal and four assists in 38 contests. She earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and is currently working on her masters degree in data science. Scaccia is a standout in the classroom as with a 3.76 grade-point average as an undergraduate and a 4.0 GPA in her first semester as a graduate student.
Sydney Scaccia - Why I Play
Institution: Utica College
Sport/Position: Field Hockey - Center Forward & Women’s Lacrosse - Defense
Academic Major(s): Mathematics major with a Computer Science minor. I also just began the Data Science Master’s Program here at Utica College this past fall.
GPA: 3.76 undergraduate; 4.0 graduate
Class Year: Senior
Academic Honors/Clubs/Community Service Roles?
Clubs
- President of the Math Club at Utica College
- President of the local chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon
- Student Athletic Advisory Committee Member
- National Society of Leadership and Success Member
Academic Honors
- I have earned a place on the President’s list three times with a GPA of a 4.0 and I have earned a place on the High Honors List with a GPA of 3.8 or higher.
Community Service Roles
- I am a volunteer lacrosse coach for the Whitestown Youth Association
- I am an early childhood volunteer at General Herkimer Elementary School in Utica where I assist children in the classrooms with reading, writing, and math skills.
What Have You Done During the COVID-19 Pandemic to Stay Active and What Are Some Positive Effects of the Pandemic You Have Experienced?
I was fortunate enough to be able to rent a barbell and other gym equipment from my crossfit gym to work out at home during the lockdown. Every day my sister and I would work out outside and then go for a run to stay in shape and prepare ourselves for the next season whenever it would come.
I learned to not take anything for granted, even the small things. Not being able to finish out my junior season of lacrosse was very upsetting because no one expected the game that we just played was going to be our last. Going through the summer preparing for the fall season, I had high hopes of getting back on the field, but yet again the season was postponed which was heartbreaking. Seeing something that you love so much being cancelled or postponed is hard, but it taught me to always live one day at a time and to not take advantage of how good our lives may be. Throughout the lockdown, I was fortunate enough to be quarantining with my family who supports me in any way possible when it comes to athletics and life in general. They helped me keep my head on straight and keep pushing myself for that next season whenever it might come.
What Role has Field Hockey and Lacrosse Played in your Personal Development?
The sports I play now have helped shape me into the person I am today. Being on different teams throughout the years has exposed me to diversity, taught me that nothing is handed to you in life and that you always have to work for it. They have taught me how to manage my time and how to work in a team environment to reach set goals. These sports have become a lifestyle for me and I could not be more thankful to be able to play them at the collegiate level.
At what age did you start playing your Sports and what made you stay with it? Did you play any other sports growing up?
I began playing field hockey when I was in seventh grade so I was about 12 years old and I began playing lacrosse as a freshman in high school where I was about 14 years old. I began field hockey because in gym class we did a mini unit where I fell in love. Learning new skills and always seeing someone who was better than me made me push myself and stick with the sport so one day I could excel. My teammates throughout the years also made it feel like a second family that I could never let go of.
I began lacrosse because my sister was cut from the modified softball team and switched sports. Honestly, I was kind of jealous because it looked like something I would enjoy more, so I decided to play too which was one of the best decisions I made. As soon as I started playing, I fell in love with the sport which makes sense because it is in a sense like field hockey but in the air.
Playing both sports with my sister also helped push myself because we wanted to be better than the other, so whenever someone learned something new the other had to learn a skill that was cooler or harder. Growing up, I played anything and everything. If there was a sport that I could play I have done it. From dance and gymnastics to soccer and golf I have basically tried it all.
Any Superstitions When It Comes to Pregame Rituals/Training?
Before every game (field hockey or lacrosse) I have to eat a Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad and drink a full tropical pedialyte.
Why Did You Decide to Attend Utica?
I chose Utica because as soon as I stepped on campus for the first time it felt like home. I knew I wanted to stay close to home so my parents and family members could come watch all of my games. Utica gave me the opportunity to get the degree I have always wanted while being fortunate enough to continue playing the two sports I love.
How has Playing Collegiately and in the Empire 8 Prepared You For Life After College?
Playing collegiately has taught me how to adapt and overcome spontaneous situations whether those situations place me in a positive or a negative position. It has taught me how to deal with stress and handle stressful situations. Playing two sports in college has taught me that communication is very important with your team and coaches. Lastly, I learned how to work within a team setting and cooperate with all types of personalities. The Empire 8 has taught me how to gracefully walk away from a game or situation with a positive mind set and to keep my head held high. I have learned how to respect different points of views and how to have class and sportsmanship.
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time in College:
My favorite memory and something I will cherish long after college is being able to play both sports with my younger sister. Like I mentioned earlier, my sister and I did everything together growing up. Every sport I played she also played (and vice versa). It is something that we both enjoy doing and something that we have bonded over; a bond that can not be broken which I am extremely thankful for. I also assisted her first collegiate lacrosse goal which was pretty cool.
Favorite Professional Athlete: Matt Fraser
Favorite Movie: Monsters University
Favorite TV Show: You on Netflix
Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Suite Life on Deck
Favorite Food: Chicken Francese
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate Chip
One Thing Most People Do Not Know About You: I used to play softball
Advice to Younger Student-Athletes on Why You Chose to Play a Collegiate Sport and Why Playing A Sport is So Important/Beneficial?
If you are on the fence about playing in college: do it. You gain a second family that you never knew you needed or wanted. College is all about trying new things and becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. It is a great way to meet new people and create a bond that will last forever. Collegiate sports will teach you the necessities of life and will give you an edge for the future because you have dealt with diversity and tough situations throughout your time in college.
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.
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