June 10, 2013
Hayley Wickenheiser nets another goal: a degree
When Hayley Wickenheiser walks across the stage during Monday鈥檚 convocation ceremony, it will be the culmination of years of hard work and the achievement of a goal she set for herself many, many years ago.
鈥淚 think I actually started my degree in 鈥96, so it鈥檚 been a 17-year process,鈥 says Wickenheiser with a laugh. 鈥淚鈥檝e been chipping away at it, but I always had the idea in mind that I would finish my degree. My parents are both teachers, and it was ingrained in us as kids that education is important. So it was always a goal of mine, and it鈥檚 something that I鈥檓 very proud to be able to do.鈥
It seems hardly necessary to introduce Hayley Wickenheiser, OC, but for the record, the soon-to-be- Bachelor of Kinesiology graduate also happens to be 鈥渨idely considered the greatest female hockey player in the world,鈥 according to sources like the Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame and Wikipedia. Wickenheiser was the first woman to play professional hockey in a position other than goalie. She鈥檚 been to the Winter Olympic Games four times and won three gold and one silver medal and was twice named the tournament MVP.
So with all of these honors, why would Hayley make a point of leaving Team Canada鈥檚 boot camp in Penticton, B.C., to drive back to Calgary for Monday鈥檚 convocation ceremony?
She believes it鈥檚 important. 鈥淭he biggest reason I鈥檓 going to walk across that stage is for my son. When I was 10 years old, my mom moved away from home for a year and went back to school in Regina to upgrade her teaching degree. I think for me to walk across the stage, and for my son to see that is really important for me, because I鈥檝e never forgotten how proud I was of my mom. I want my son to be inspired in the same way, and to do that for his kids, and that鈥檚 why I think it鈥檚 important.鈥
David Moll
Wickenheiser made the decision to come back to school as a full-time student before the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic games. The fact that her friend and line-mate Danielle Goyette was coaching the team made her decision much easier. 鈥淚t worked out perfectly,鈥 says Wickenheiser. 鈥淚 knew that I wasn鈥檛 ready to finish my hockey career, I wanted to keep playing, so it was a perfect situation. I鈥檝e spent most of my career training and playing at the Oval and I enjoyed coming back and being a student. Outside of being a professional athlete, being a student athlete is the next best life. I鈥檓 really going to miss it.鈥
Once she started playing, she found the level of play was better than advertised, and she鈥檚 hopeful that if her time with the Dinos has done anything, it鈥檚 shown Canadians that the level of hockey played by women in Canadian Interuniversity Sports is very good.
Of course, for the best female player in the world, playing hockey is the easy part. Going back to school as a full-time student was the bigger challenge. 鈥淭he first thing is that you kind of have to learn how to learn again,鈥 says Wickenheiser. 鈥淭hings have also changed a lot, I mean I think that I was the only one using a pad and paper! The first few months were a bit of a whirlwind, but I got used to it pretty fast.鈥
Following convocation, Wickenheiser plans to return to hockey, training hard with the national team in preparation for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games. Then she plans on applying to medical schools across the country for the next chapter in her academic life.
鈥淭he 草莓污视频导航 has some amazing people,鈥 says Hayley. 鈥淭he Faculty of Kinesiology is a great environment and I鈥檓 just happy to have had the opportunity to be there 鈥 everybody has been so accommodating for my schedule as an athlete. I鈥檓 excited to move onto different things in life, but at the same time, I really value my time at the 草莓污视频导航. It was an awesome experience.鈥