Just a small town girl, living her best life as a Golden Bear! Tessa Ebreo is a strong asset to her team, and we haven’t seen all of her skills yet! Check out No. 16 of the WNEU Field Hockey team!
Ever since she was young, Tessa Ebreo worked on her field hockey skills. As an Agawam, Massachusetts native, she earned her place on the varsity high school team as a freshman, became a captain her senior year and committed to Western New England University.
No. 16 on the midfield and defensive lines, Ebreo holds her ground as a sophomore. Majoring in Health Sciences, life as a college student athlete is not for the weak. In an interview with Miss Ebreo, she spoke about her day-to-day life,
“A typical day for me always starts with breakfast and is followed by a morning full of classes. Once I’m done with classes, I take time to grab lunch and then use the rest of the day until practice to do homework, study and clean. Sometimes that includes going to the library to lock in or throwing in a load of laundry and vacuuming. We practice later in the evening most days, so I try and get most of my work done as early in the day as I can if I know I’ll be back later.”
It seems that Tessa has a strong hold on a daily routine, leaving plenty of room for both academics and athletics.
Beginning her field hockey career at about 10 years old, Ebreo uses the younger version of herself for inspiration and motivation.
Rather than getting down on herself when her non-athlete friends go out and have fun while she’s getting ready for a game or practice, Ebreo says,
“Instead, I ask myself, “why do I play?” and the answer to that question stems from a passion for the game that became established in myself at age 10. At first, field hockey was just a sport to play because I didn’t like soccer and my mom played in high school. But somewhere along the way, field hockey became a part of who I am. My love for the sport grew as I did and I never imagined myself playing at the collegiate level. The life I’m living is a dream that 10-year-old me never imagined could come true. I keep going every day to make her proud and in turn she reminds me of my love for the game.”
Field hockey has had a strong hold on her heart as life got harder and more responsibilities arose. Tessa Ebreo has a great record in her two years on the WNEU team, gaining her first collegiate career goal and assist against Springfield College, which helped WNEU earn their first conference game of the season! Without a doubt, Ebreo used her pre-game ritual:
“I must always be wearing something pink for when I go onto the field, whether that’s a hair ribbon, my glove, or my shoelaces.” Along with her hairstyle, “My hair must always be in two small braids put into a ponytail that also gets braided.”
These superstitions are the only two that stuck with her since high school and won’t be going away any time soon. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?
When interviewing, Tessa Ebreo answered on the topic of female athletes and the rise in women’s professional sports. She mentions how lucky she is to be a part of a school that supports every team. Ebreo says,
“It’s nice to see the stands filled and it’s something that every female athlete deserves to experience.” Even referencing the Nike campaign, “as more people realize that ‘Everyone Watches Women’s Sports’.” Studying at Western New England’s supportive environment, “Everyone on campus is so understanding and supportive of student athletes, from classmates to professors to other faculty.”
It is important to have a system that understands the lives of student athletes.
Additionally, she touches upon how the world is changing in terms of women’s sports. There has been an increase in support worldwide; however, I asked her what she hoped to see in the future as an athlete today. On this topic, Ebreo commented,
“I hope that one day the world can be accepting and supportive of all athletes. I don’t necessarily have the answer for how that can be accomplished, but I know how much heart, grit and dedication athletes put into the preparation for their sports. I hope for the gap between men’s and women’s athletics to continue to shrink as we acknowledge the dedication of these athletes and their abilities not for their gender or identity, but for their accomplishments. And I hope that all athletes are given equal opportunities and the space to compete in their respective sports against respective opponents. Changes still need to be made in the world of athletics, but I’d like to believe we’re moving in a positive direction for all athletes.”
Tessa Ebreo is the perfect example of a strong-minded and determined female athlete that uses her own inspiration and belief in the athletic world to better herself both on and off the field. Her love of field hockey has stemmed from her younger years and now has grown into her outlet. It has allowed her to escape from her daily life and enter a world where she can push herself mentally and physically, without much pressure from outsider responsibility. The sport of field hockey has taught her resilience, mental toughness and “shaped [her] into the person [she] is today”.
Keep your eye out for No. 16 on the Golden Bear turf these next years to come, as she is not ready to hibernate yet! In fact, she is just getting started.