Bio

The only National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National All-American in Wellesley soccer program history, Sarah Hilgenberg '00 earned the honor in both 1998 and 1999 while helping the Blue to back-to-back NCAA Regional final appearances. Wellesley's Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer '49 Scholar-Athlete Award winner in 2000, Hilgenberg was a four-year NSCAA and New England Women’s Intercollegiate Soccer Association (NEWISA) All-Region and New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) All-Conference honoree. Hilgenberg was voted the NEWMAC Women's Soccer Athlete of the Year in 1999 – a fitting end to a career that included 65 points and 23 career goals.

Nearing 20 years since my graduation, I am truly honored to be selected as an inductee to the Wellesley Athletics Hall of Fame. My four years at Wellesley comprised one of the most formative times of my life. It has been a pleasure to deliberately reflect back on that time when considering what this honor means to me.

Even as a teenager growing up only 15 miles away from Wellesley—and with the desire, like most teenagers, to attend a school far enough away from my parents, where seeing each other would take some effort—I always had the feeling that Wellesley was a special place. My hunch was confirmed when I visited during my college tour in the mid- ’90s and decided to apply to the Early Evaluation program. Through my eyes, Wellesley was a beautiful, nurturing physical space with clearly dedicated faculty and leadership who “got it.” They believed in the importance of educating diverse, motivated, forward-thinking women who would make a difference in the world, a mission that was important then and I believe continues to be as, if not more, important now. Everyone walked the walk and talked the talk. I had found my people! The overwhelmingly positive support from women that arose around me as word got around that I was interested in attending Wellesley was telling—I could no longer ignore its call despite my best attempts. 

In addition to the top-notch education that I was fortunate to receive, I made many of the most meaningful friendships I have had in my life so far. Most of these came in the form of my teammates in soccer. Through sport, undergraduate life, and academic and personal ups and downs, we spent so much time together creating an irreplaceable web of support. As I currently juggle a marriage, mothering two small children, a job as a pediatric clinician and educator, and all the other things that life throws at me, the importance of these friendships with like-minded women in my life has never felt so clear. One of my favorite weekends of the year is when many of us descend on Alta, Utah, for three sacred days of skiing and connection.

So, for me, this honor is really about these amazing women who surrounded me and fostered my— and our collective—growth during our time at Wellesley and what we accomplished together. It is also about celebrating the existence of an environment that attracts and cultivates bright minds while upholding the value of fostering thriving, well-rounded citizens who are able to participate in sport, arts, you-name-it for the love of the activity and the ensuing enhancement of our lives and community.