Alyssa Colbert (Smithfield, R.I.) has made a major positive impact at UNH both athletically and academically. As a member of the track and field team she set the school record in the discus throw, and in the classroom she was a two-year member of the National College Athlete Honor Society, Chi Alpha Sigma. As she earned her undergraduate degree, she has made memories and friendships for the rest of her life due to her time on the UNH women's track and field team. THE CAMPUS Jenna Arguin, Alyssa Colbert and Melanie Lamar
Colbert has so many reasons why she loves UNH. One of these reasons is what she believes makes UNH so special to her.
"The people, and their willingness to pursue what they love. Every single person I have met has had their own unique story that they are still humble to admit they are still writing. They have given me the courage to do the same, to write my own story—lows included. The opportunities to meet these people have been so pleasurable to me, and I have made everlasting friendships with other students."
One of the places Colbert began to make a lot of her friendships is also her favorite place on campus.
"The throwing circle right outside Wildcat Stadium. I associate this place with a sense of peace, the kind of peace where the world could be spinning and shouting, but I had control to stop it. This is the place where I shared memories with teammates, coaches, friends and family, and where I felt a sense of belonging." COMPETING AS A STUDENT-ATHLETE
Part of being a student-athlete is learning how to balance both training and competing as well as studying. Colbert explained the struggles of balancing both aspects.
"It became difficult at times, with the busy routine of practices and lift, on top of multiple classes a day, but I never let my schoolwork get behind me. It took some settling in for the first semester, but I learned to finish homework right after practice in order to stay on top of things. After a while it became a routine."
Although it may be hard at times, it also helped Colbert grow into the person she is today.
"There are so many lessons I have learned from being a student-athlete, but the one that stands out to me is dedication. Four years ago when I came to UNH, I knew I had aspirations to be great, but I did not yet know the sheer dedication that it takes. I now know that in order to reach your goals there is nothing in your way, but you."
Of course, not only did being a student-athlete help Colbert grow as a person, but it also was the reason behind her favorite moment at UNH and her favorite moment on the track and field team.
"My favorite moment was when I was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society in my junior year. This was special for me because I had struggled with finding a major for so long, and after four long semesters, I finally found something I loved—and I was good at it." 2019 National College Athlete Honor Society Ceremony
The Therapeutic Recreation major also has a favorite athletic moment.
"The memory that sticks out to me is when I broke the school record in the discus. All the hard work I had put in accumulated in that single moment, there was nothing like it. But, more specifically, it is the everyday wins that are my favorite, like finally reaching your new personal best in the squat, team conversations in the coaches' office, fixing a technique in something that has frustrated you, or watching a teammate reach their personal best in their event. It is all of these things that stick out to me most of all." Alyssa Colbert set the school record in the discus EYES ON THE FUTURE
Following graduation, Colbert already had plans for her summer and her future afterwards.
"I will be heading to Atlanta, Ga. in the summer to complete my internship at Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital, one of the premiere internships in the country for Recreational Therapy. At Shepherd, I will be working with people with acquired brain injuries and be helping them toward their holistic goals, all while using recreation and leisure activities. I plan on returning to UNH to complete a master's degree in recreation administration and compete for one last season in track and field."
As she finished her senior year, Colbert had a few words to say for her fellow seniors as they depart from UNH.
"I would just like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. You all inspire me every day to be better, we are all resilient and we will always be Wildcats!"
Please check back to UNHWildcats.com as we continue our Senior Reflections series.
