Senior Reflections-Nicky Bajus

By Madelyn McAteer
Special to UNHWildcats.com

For senior field hockey captain Nicky Bajus (Lions Bay, British Columbia), UNH impacted her immensely over her four-year career and helped her grow into the strong woman she is today. As she takes time to reflect on her experience as a student-athlete, she thinks of everyone that contributed to her unforgettable journey.

A SECOND HOME

"Coming from Vancouver, I didn't know a single person at UNH, but four years later Durham and UNH have become home to me," said Bajus. "I have become the person I am today because of the impact of my coaches, teammates, professors and friends. My time at UNH has been the best four years of my life, and I cannot thank everyone who was with me during it enough."

Bajus with her fellow senior classmates, Bailey Fanikos, Drucilla Sargent and Kayla Sliz

Bajus knew UNH was special from the time she stepped foot on campus, and continued to feel the sense of family over her time here.

"The tight knit community at UNH is what makes this school so special. I always felt that everyone was there for me in both the athletic and academic departments."

A spot on campus that is especially meaningful to Bajus is the Wildcat statue, located right outside of Memorial Field – where the field hockey team plays its home games.

"It was where I met my coaches for the first time. On media day every season, we would take our picture on it, which gave me something to look back on and see how much has changed year by year. It also makes me happy because when my parents can't be on campus for games, they watch through the Wildcat cam."

BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE AND TEAMMATE

When Bajus looks back on her successful career in the UNH field hockey program, she immediately thinks of her teammates, who she saw as her second family.

"From the moment that I came onto the team as freshman, everyone treated each other like family. We did everything together. Besides practicing, we also lived together, did homework together and ate together. Anytime we were on a team road trip we were not allowed to use our phones, so just being in each other's company without that distraction created some of my most memorable moments."

Of these memorable road trips, traveling to Iowa during her sophomore season was at the top of the list.

"One of my favorite road trips we took was during sophomore year when we went to Iowa. We were originally supposed to play one game against Missouri State but it was cancelled and we ended up playing Iowa twice in one weekend, which was unusual. They were ranked #17 at the time, which we knew would lead to a challenging weekend, especially playing both games at their home turf. We won the first game in double overtime which was our first win versus a ranked opponent that season, and an unforgettable feeling. In addition to winning that game, we stayed in a hotel for five nights and had adjoining rooms with our teammates that led to some of my favorite memories."

Team lined up to play against Iowa in 2017

Senior day was a significant moment for Bajus because as her field hockey career was coming to an end, she was reminded of how much she accomplished and what her experience meant to her.

"It was a moment that wrapped up my time as an athlete and made me appreciate how far I have come. Although my parents couldn't come, one of my old teammates' mom flew up from Maryland to surprise me and be there for me on that day. It was senior day when I realized truly how much both the program and UNH athletics means to me."

Bajus with Head Coach Robin Balducci on Senior Day

LEARNING LIFE LESSONS

Being a student-athlete at UNH has taught Bajus numerous skills that she can use throughout her life. Balancing a demanding field hockey schedule with a full course load is not an easy task, but it was something Bajus was effectively able to do.

"It's all about time management and learning what works for you versus what doesn't. With being at the field house for five hours a day and having classes before and after practice, it was important for me to plan in advance and block out a specific time in the day to do homework. Another thing that helped me keep the balance was utilizing the many resources that were available to me at UNH, such as the academic center, tutors and Associate Athletic Director for Academic Support Joanne Maldari."

A big lesson that Bajus learned during her time at UNH is to not take anything for granted.

"With my senior year being cut short, I think back to the little things that I experienced at UNH that, at the time, I thought were small that actually had the biggest impacts on me. Sometimes it's not the biggest moments that have the most impact, it's the combination of small things that can change your perspectives."

Overall, Bajus feels that her experience as a student-athlete at UNH has shaped her as a person and taught her how to be resilient.

"Being a student-athlete taught me about failure, which actually helped me grow as a person. There were some times I had to face failure, both on the field and in the classroom, but I learned how to cope with it and used it to motivate me to be better and work harder. I also learned that it is okay to ask for help. It makes you stronger to use those around you for support rather than trying to do it all on your own."

Bajus celebrating after scoring against UMass Lowell

THE NEXT CHAPTER

As Bajus moves on from UNH and onto the next chapter of her life, she will never forget the lifelong friends she made over the past four years.

"The friends I have made with my teammates and other athletes are what I will miss most. Having everyone so close, and being able to see them every day, whether in class, at the field house or just hanging out at home, was a privilege I didn't recognize in the moment. But as I move on, I know those friendships will be there forever."

After completing her degree, Bajus plans to move back to where she's from, Vancouver, and find a job that suits her interests.

"Ideally, I want to work in a role that combines my love for athletics and what I studied at UNH – communications and business administration."

Lastly, her message to her fellow UNH seniors is:

"Although we didn't get the ideal ending we wanted, don't let the way it ended change the amazing memories that we all made throughout the past four years."

Bajus and Fanikos during a team trip to California

Please check back to UNHWildcats.com as we continue our Senior Reflections series.

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