For 2020 graduate Jack Doherty (Meriden, N.H.), coming to the University of New Hampshire and being a part of the soccer team was like finding a second home. Moments on and off the field made him into the person he is today, and taught him life lessons that could only be found on campus in Durham. FINDING A SECOND HOME IN DURHAM Doherty, Brandon Garland, Josh Bauer, Antonio Colacci
Getting to experience the sense of community, family and school pride that comes with being a student-athlete at the University of New Hampshire has helped shape Doherty into who he is today, as a now graduate of UNH.
"My experience at UNH has meant so much to me. I will always have a second family from Durham and will always be a place I can call home. Spending four years at a place like UNH at a time in our lives when we find so much out about ourselves really does leave a lasting effect on how we view what has shaped us as we've grown up," Doherty said. "Everyone at UNH is proud of the school and each other. 'Wildcat Pride,' is drilled into you from the day you step foot on campus to the day you leave. Each and every person at UNH shows tremendous support for each other."
"I will miss the friends I made at UNH and all of the memories we all made together. There's really nothing like getting to live with your best friends for four years in a place you can all call home." BALANCING ACADEMICS WITH ATHLETICS
As a member of the men's soccer team, as well as a student at nationally ranked Paul College of Business at UNH, Doherty had to learn to balance athletics and academics.
"Early on, I found what worked for me; which was taking classes before practice, because otherwise I would be too tired to focus at night. Some of my teammates were different, but you have to find what works for you. It's about figuring out yourself and what works for you and then using that to your advantage," said Doherty.
Having to balance playing soccer and academics not only taught Doherty lessons about time management, but also lessons about life that he will carry with him beyond graduation.
"Being a student-athlete has made me into the person I am today. It has taught me time management with how to balance work with sports. It has taught me to look at myself and see my own strengths and weaknesses, and when to use that to my advantage. It has taught me how to be patient and that success doesn't always happen overnight," said Doherty. "Being a student-athlete has given me so much and it will always be a part of who I am." REFLECTING ON SUCCESS AND MOMENTS ON THE FIELD
During Doherty's time at UNH, the Wildcats won two America East Tournament championships, and made three NCAA Tournament appearances (making it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen in 2017). He also earned numerous accolades from the field such as making the 2018 United Soccer Coaches All-Northeast Region Team, and was a two-time All-America East Second Team selection, among many other awards.
One of his favorite memories as a student-athlete at UNH was winning the America East championship versus UMBC in 2018.
"It is hard to pick just one favorite moment but winning our conference championship game at home my junior year was a day I'll never forget," said Doherty. "Working so hard at something your whole life to finally accomplish a dream, that was one of the best feelings."
One of Doherty's favorite moments on the road was when the team made program history by advancing to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time. "My favorite road trip was going to Indiana in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.," said Doherty. "Playing at a school that has such a strong reputation was awesome. It was a true college soccer atmosphere and experience."
There is no denying the success seen by the UNH men's soccer team during the years that Doherty was a contributor; this success and Doherty's favorite part about being on the team was the consistent hard work and determination of him and his teammates to become the best.
"Each and every one of us had something to prove. We all were overlooked by big name schools and we all had that chip on our shoulders. We all were there to prove something and it showed." Doherty with family friends Grace, Addie and Stella ADVICE FOR THE FUTURE COLLEGE ATHLETE
Lessons on the field that Doherty learned early on in his career was to accept and learn from your weaknesses, and then change and adapt to contribute as a team player.
"You may lose multiple times, but the people who end up succeeding realize why they are losing, and then try to fix it or change their strategy. That's the key to college sports in my opinion. If you aren't playing and you think you should be, look at who is playing and why," said Doherty. "I see it time and time again, kids come in and don't get playing time and don't change the way they play. You have to be adaptable and willing to change your style of play to what the system needs you to be. After that, then you can play more of your style but you'll never get the trust of the coaches or your teammates if you can't adapt to be more of a team player." Doherty with family friends Sela and Will FINAL REFLECTIONS AS A UNH STUDENT-ATHLETE Doherty and his mom
"One of the biggest things I have learned at UNH is to live life and have fun. Try and say yes as much as possible because the experiences you have at UNH will help you grow and the more you are doing the more you will learn," said Doherty. "I spent a lot of time trying to calculate different situations when I should have just lived in the moment and enjoyed my time. It's one of those lessons you don't realize until it's happened to you."
"We (UNH student-athlete graduates) should stay in touch. We all know what we went through to graduate and what the last four years were like. We can all help each other succeed in the next four years as well."
Following his graduation, Doherty is currently in Reno, Nev., working for Toll Brothers in real estate. Doherty and his family on Senior Night
UNHWildcats.com has concluded the 2020 Senior Reflections series. Good luck to the Class of 2020!
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