Ethel Walker School
Alumna Liza Philips ’17 reflects on her participation in Walker’s athletics and how it has shaped her college experience at Nichols College in Dudley, MA.
While at Walker’s, Liza was a tri-sport athlete where she earned the 2016 Coaches Award for varsity field hockey, the 2017 Coaches Award as the varsity ski team captain and the 2017 MVP award as the captain of the JV softball team.
“Walker’s definitely played a role in my success in collegiate athletics,” said Liza. “After spending four years playing three sports a year, I didn’t see myself on the sidelines. I loved the competition, and I loved the person I became through my involvement in athletics. I wanted to excel in the classroom so I would enjoy my time with the team. Looking back, it was confidence that I felt on the field which translated to the classroom. Walker’s made me want to continue to grow in that same way in college.”
At Nichols College in Dudley, MA, Liza is a three-sport athlete competing in field hockey, indoor track, and track. “Being a collegiate multi-sport athlete is so much fun. It is a time commitment, but it motivates me to stay on top of my academics and work harder,” says Liza. “Having the ability to continue my athletic career while also studying what I am passionate about is so special. Competing at the D3 level allows me to focus on academics first while also providing time to compete.”
This winter, Liza was offered an internship for the 2020 Super Bowl working in operations and decided not to participate in the indoor track season where she typically competes in the long jump and the 60m sprint. “There is an important balance in college athletics,” she said. “Participating at the Division III level allows me the freedom to make choices that will help me to advance my career.”
“I am still deciding if I will run track next year. I work in the Sports Information Department at Nichols, which keeps me very busy, and it has led to potential employment opportunities.” Liza’s advice for the collegiate athlete is that it is important to focus on academics and look for internships that could potentially lead you to future employment. “Balancing athletics and academics, whether in high school or college, is a challenge, but a good one!”
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Internship Summer 2018: New York Mets (Media Relations Intern)
Internship Summer 2019: Worcester Bravehearts (Scoreboard and Messageboard Operator)
Internship Winter 2020: Super Bowl Operations Practicum
Internship Spring 2020: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Sports Information Intern)
Current Employment, 2019 – present: Usher/Ticket Taker at Gillette Stadium
