The 2020 Senior Perspectives is the 15th in a series of annual collections. Senior captains and representatives of teams at Harvard have been invited to contribute viewpoints based on personal experience from both their senior seasons and full varsity careers at Harvard.

Grace Geiger
Hometown: New Albany, Ohio
Concentration: Applied Mathematics
House Affiliation: Pforzheimer 

It was a cold, rainy day in November when I looked up at the sky and asked myself, "What are we doing out here?" I mean really. This is sort of insane: My toes are frozen, I can't grip my stick, and visibility is subpar at best. With their hoods pulled over their heads and their rain paints tucked into their shin guards, I watched as my teammates slipped across the turf. They played right through the puddle-laden field, which brought the ball to a standstill every five meters. Suddenly, I couldn't help myself but laugh.

This is the type of experience that just can't be replicated outside of Harvard Athletics. Teamwork has a way of breaking down individual limits, and this effect is only amplified by a strong team dynamic. Fortunately for me, Harvard Field Hockey functions like a family, a phenomenon that can be attributed to two main factors: First, the program is built upon constructive traditions. Mutual respect is fundamental, and there is no sense of social hierarchy. Regardless of seniority or skill, every person is treated as an equally important team member. Beyond that, the players stay connected on a year-round basis. From summer email chains to spring team dinners, teammates make an effort to understand each other both as athletes and as people. With this as the standard, it's seemingly inevitable that teammates evolve into sisters. Secondly, the coaches are mindful in their recruiting. Along with raw athletic talent, they prioritize strong character, understanding that individual skill is maximized by a cohesive team.

In addition to a supportive team, it sometimes takes a greater goal to make the uncomfortable more approachable. There is no doubt that my time spent as a Harvard student-athlete was challenging at times. I often felt that I could have been a better student without field hockey and a better field hockey player without my concentration. With that being said, I am so fortunate that my collegiate experience allowed me to excel in both my academic and athletic interests. After all, the transient sacrifices are more than justified by two Ivy League championships, a nationally recognized team GPA, and two NCAA tournament appearances. Moving forward from Harvard field hockey, I am excited to tackle the next phase of life. My time as a student-athlete has equipped me with both lifelong lessons and friends. Perhaps needless to say, a little bit of rain will never ruin my day.