After a life-changing asthma attack her freshman year, Grace Newton would no longer be an athlete. Newton grew up playing three sports: lacrosse, track and soccer. Newton played soccer at Cabrini University until her attack freshman year. Newton didn’t let this discourage her from being apart of the team. She continued to attend practices and be there to support her team.
Newton officially became manager sophomore year, after working a manager-role throughout her freshman year. The team coaches admired Newton for her dedication to soccer and to her team. She was then promoted to student assistant coach. Newton was there for her team day in and out, doing everything she could to help her team succeed.
In return the women’s soccer team reminded Newton she was still apart of the team, despite not being able to play. Mary-Kate Keenan, recent Cabrini soccer graduate, said, “Grace is the ultimate friend and person. She is always there for you no matter what and is always the first person to jump in when someone needs help.” Keenan said, “She always put the team first and never once complained.”
What Newton enjoys most about being a part of the team, is the family that comes with it. Being from Maryland, she doesn’t get to see her family as often as she would like to. The team fills the void of not being able to see the family.
Newton has embraced her title as student assistant coach and is now a student by day, assistant coach by night. Of course this comes with a busy life. Newton juggles her studies as well as being there for the women’s soccer team.
“Freshman year and sophomore year it was easy to balance stress and school. Senior year became a bit challenging with finding time to get school work done and handle team responsibilities, while being in class,” said Newton. She feels bad when she can’t be there for her team, and she puts a lot of pressure on herself. More than what the team puts on her.
In her spare time to relieve stress, Newton plays around with the ball and listens to music. Newton works in the fitness center, women’s soccer, and does independent studies for class. Newton made it clear that aside from soccer, music is her life. Keenan said “She always hyped us up with her pregame moves in the locker room. She has killer dance moves.”
Newton described music as her “healer” and minors in music at Cabrini. Her goals for this year includes, graduating with a high GPA and creating a music composition to inspire people. Newton would like to create a music composition that promotes a positive message.
Newton’s plan is to tie music and social justice together. She has adopted this goal as her capstone project. This idea was drafted from music almost being taken away here at Cabrini.
What Newton enjoys most about being a part of the team, is the family that comes with it. Being from Maryland, she doesn’t get to see her family as often as she would like to. The team fills the void of not being able to see the family.
Newton described her experience at Cabrini as something she won’t forget. “I’m going to miss everyone when I leave, but just like the season, it goes,” said Newton. Newton is looking forward to this last year with her team and she hopes she has done for them, what they have done for her.
When asked if there was anything she would like her team to know when its all over, Newton quoted Maya Angelou, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Newton hopes, her team feels she “has done good for them on the team.”
