NCAA DIII Week Student-Athlete Profile: Ailis Hanley, Basketball
WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Sunday, April 9, is the final day of NCAA Division III Week 2017. Throughout the week we've highlighted our student-athletes and celebrated their accomplishments. Today, we close out the week with a final student-athlete profile, this time featuring basketball senior Ailis Hanley from Cranston, R.I. For a complete list of NCAA Division III Week articles, check out the list below.
What Academic Accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Wellesley?
There really isn't a specific academic accomplishment that sticks out to me from my time at Wellesley. I initially struggled quite a bit with the transition from high school to college academics. I would have to say I'm most proud of how I did not allow the frustrations I had in the classroom during my first year at Wellesley discourage my perceptions of my experience here as a whole. I'm glad that I was able to work through it- with the help of my teammate and professors, I eventually hit my academic stride.
What Athletic Accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Wellesley?
There are three distinct memories that come to mind as accomplishments I am most proud of. The first would be the 11-game win streak the team went on during my first year, in which we beat every team in the conference once, and Wesleyan for good measure. It was great to prove to ourselves and to the other teams that we were legitimate and playing to compete. The other two memories are from this past season, the first being when we went 2-0 in our tip-off tournament and the second when we beat Salisbury on a buzzer-beater. As a team made up of predominantly first years (half of the team), these victories were especially meaningful, and helped us realize our potential and what we were capable of accomplishing this season.
What Leadership and/or Community Involvement projects have you been involved with?
As an e-board member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), I was involved in orchestrating the facilitation of various campus-wide projects that promote opportunity for student-athletes, protect student-athlete well-being, and foster a positive student-athlete image. Some of the events included spirit days, professional career workshops, mental health awareness lectures, and student-athlete alumni networking events. Additionally, I am a member of the Wellesley College Athlete Mentor Program, which assist incoming first-year athletes during their transition to college athletics, and I serve as the secretary on NEWMAC SAAC e-board. I also think I hold the record of most student-worker time sheets in the PERA department.
For two years the team partnered with Let's Get Movin' and the East Boston Community Health Center during winter break. While there, we lead groups of elementary aged children through fitness exercises and basketball drills, which was a fun and engaging way of giving back to the Boston community. This past fall, the team also participated in the College's Day to Make a Difference community service initiative, where we used fancy power tools and helped build home with Habitat For Humanity.
What has your experience as a Wellesley student-athlete meant to you?
Being a student-athlete truly defined my Wellesley experience. The guidance, support, and opportunities that have been offered to me during my time here are invaluable, and have made the athletics community feel like a place I truly belonged here at Wellesley. I am grateful that Wellesley has been able to provide me with the ability to continue playing basketball at a competitive level while also receiving such an engaging and challenging education. The most meaningful aspect of my Wellesley student-athlete experience has been the friendships I have formed with other athletes over my four years, especially with my teammates. The memories and laughs we have shared, both on and off the court, are ones that I hope to never forget!
NCAA Division III Week on WellesleyBlue.com:
Monday, April 3: NCAA DIII Week Begins With Visit From Louise McCleary '87, Director of NCAA DIII
Tuesday, April 4: Fencing Alumna Zsofia Schweger '12 Named To Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe
Wednesday, April 5: #EarnTheW Day Returns Wednesday at Blue Lacrosse, Softball, and Tennis
Thursday, April 6: Video: Blue Crew Meets Hillary Rodham Clinton '69
Friday, April 7: NCAA DIII Week Student-Athlete Profile: Carina Chen, Tennis
Saturday, April 8: Tennis Seven Sisters Saturday
Sunday, April 9: NCAA DIII Week Student-Athlete Profile: Ailis Hanley, Basketball