Samantha Jacques | Hometown: Manchester, N.H. | Pre-Law

I originally pictured myself writing this in late April to early May, while preparing for a GNAC Championship run with my team in Boston. I did not think I would be back in New Hampshire sitting in my childhood home wondering what my future holds. This past week I have experienced more emotions than I ever thought possible, heartbreak being the biggest one. With that being said, I refuse to let the way that my Suffolk career ended define my entire experience at this school and as a part of the softball program.  

Being a student-athlete at Suffolk has been rewarding in so many ways. I am so thankful for every person in the athletic department who I connected with over the past four years. I will miss Coach Leyden’s high-fives and hearing “Sam” yelled as I walk down the hallway past his office. I will miss long conversations with Eileen while I sign-in or out for work-study. I’ll miss getting texts from coach saying, “Are you at Ridgeway? Coach McConnell has another project for you”, but there is one person I owe a sincere thank you to. That person is Amy Barry. Without you I would not have been introduced to the internship opportunity at Harvard University, I may not have applied for the GNAC internship, and I would not know so many things about graphic design and working in sports. I am so thankful that our paths crossed and everything you did for me. From the bottom of my heart thank you, Amy. 

At the end of my high school career, I had conflicting thoughts about whether or not I wanted to continue to play softball at the college level and I can whole heartedly say that it was the best decision I could have made. I have learned more about myself and my abilities these past four years on this team than I ever have in a classroom. I came into this program as a shy, unconfident player, and I am leaving as an outgoing, confident leader. All of this because I have a coach who never gave up on me, even when I was ready to give up on myself. Coach Davis saw the potential in me and never let me forget that it was up to me to see it too. I have never played for a coach who cares so much about every single athlete that she brings on to her team and I am forever thankful to have been coached by her and for the relationship that we have developed over the past four years. Thank you for everything Coachie, love you. 

On top of that, I cannot thank any of the assistant coaches that I have had here enough for what they have done for me and this program. They never failed to be there for any of us no matter what time it was or how far away they were. I am so thankful for each of you and for everything that I was able to learn from you since the moment we met. Thank you, Coach Cara, Coach Holly, Coach Taylor, Coach Alyssa, Coach Lauren, and Coach Jen, Tray, and Erin.  

This experience would not be what it was without every single teammate that I had along the way. I am so thankful to have been able to share a field with every single one of you. Thank you for pushing me and making me work hard, and strive for something bigger than myself. I have forever friends because of this program and I cannot imagine my life without every single one of my teammates in it. 

This 2020 team was something special. I am not sure that I have ever had so much fun playing softball with a group of people than I did this past year (BUDDY!!!). I also have never been more confident in a group of 22 people in my life. It breaks my heart that we only got to play 10 games together, but I will cherish those 10 games forever. We are champions in my eyes. Champions of adversity and hard work. I love every single member of this 2020 squad, players, coaches, and support staff. Please take the CCC by storm next year and bring home a championship for this program. If anyone can do it, it’s you guys.

Lastly, to the future Rams: these next four years are going to be the best of your life. They will not be easy, but they will be worth it. If there is one piece of advice I can give anyone who comes to play for this program, it would be to never take a single second of it for granted. We’ve all heard this many times before, I’m sure, but you never know the weight that saying holds until you have that one thing taken from you. Work hard at every single practice. Outwork yourself during every single lift and 6 a.m. workout. Push your teammates to be the best. Listen to your coaches. Ask questions. Cherish every single moment you have with your teammates. And play EVERY single game like it is your last, because you truly never know when that could be. If you give this program your everything, it will give you a forever family and the best four years of your life in return. I promise that. Wear that blue, white and gold jersey with pride, and never let anyone forget that you play softball for Suffolk University.   

It’s hard to put into words what all of this feels like, but I am so grateful to have been a part of something that made saying goodbye so difficult. 

Love, #8

Samantha Jacques