Churchill Grad Adjusts to Life as College Student-Athlete

Like it does for most incoming college freshman, move-in day brought about a wide range of emotions for 2011 graduate Alexis Shay.

As much as she was excited to begin her freshman year at High Point University (NC), she was also stressed by the sudden realization of being away from home for the first time, the rapidly approaching start of college classes and the even more rapidly approaching start of her freshman season of college soccer.

“I was really excited,” Shay said. “This is a new chapter in my life. But, at the same time, all the regular nerves that come along with that day definitely set in.”

As much as that was the case, though, Shay says now, “Everything’s been great so far.”

She arrived on campus Aug. 2 and began preseason soccer practice shortly thereafter. Her first game is tonight against Navy. She also begins classes next week, at which point she’ll be juggling her school schedule with her soccer schedule.

Shay will be taking five classes (17 credits), three on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and two on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She will also be practicing with the soccer team for two hours each day. On average, High Point’s soccer team, the Panthers, also plays two games per week.

Shay, who plays forward, was a four-year varsity player at Churchill, helping guide the Bulldogs to back-to-back regional final appearances during her junior and senior seasons. After tallying 12 goals and 16 assists as a senior, she was named first-team All-State, NCSAA All-Region and All-Gazette first-team. She was also listed as one of the top players in the state of Maryland by ESPN Rise.

Shay also played club soccer for FC Frederick, which won the 2011 Maryland State Cup Championship after finishing as the runner up last year. Prior to that, she participated in the Maryland State Olympic Development Program from 2005-09.

“She’s going to be a big-time player for us,” said High Point women’s soccer coach Marty Beall. “She’s easily one of the most technically skilled players around, has a great first touch and just has a brilliant mind for the game.”

He added, “Once she maximizes her potential, she’ll be one of the top players here at High Point University and in all of the Big South Conference.”

Under Beall, High Point has won back-to-back Big South Conference championships, and Shay is eager to help then win another this season.

“Hopefully we can make it a three-peat this year,” Shay said. “I just want to do really big things with the soccer team, have a great year and do whatever I can to help the team succeed.”

And with the start of classes right around the corner, Shay is hoping for success in the classroom as well.

Shay’s undecided on a major at this point, but is leaning towards exercise science.

“I just want to be as successful as possible, both on and off the field,” Shay said. “I just want to focus in on my academics and on my soccer, so I can improve as both a person and as an athlete.”