NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Caitlyn Scott of the Albertus Magnus women's basketball team was named one of 12 finalists for the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Athlete of the year for women's sports.
Scott earned her Pre-med degree from Albertus Magnus with a 3.27 GPA. Her academic efforts led her to being named to the GNAC All-Academic Team twice. On the court, she earned All-Conference honors three times, two-time GNAC Player of the Week, a GNAC All-Tournament team member, a D3 Hoops.com Region I Third Team member, and was named the United States Basketball Writers Association Division III Player of the Week. She scored 1,490 career points (sixth in program history) and finished third in the conference in assists (106), points per game (20.8) and fourth in field goals made (186).
Personal Statement:
"I didn't see myself attending Albertus Magnus, let alone all of the accolades I achieved in my four years of being there. However I'm proud to say I'm a falcon and I bleed blue.
While at Albertus Magnus I majored in biology. I choose to be in biology because I want to pursue a career in health care. Currently I don't know what specifically I want to do but I do know that I want to help people get better. Something about helping and being a part of someone's progress on becoming healthier is fulfilling to me. That feeling is a sense of satisfaction, just as when the ball flies through the net after I shoot it, followed by the fans jumping up and cheering.
Basketball is the one thing that was reliable in life, my escape place. So knowing that I had an opportunity to keep doing something I love whilst becoming more educated in the field of biology sounded like a wonderful opportunity. I am not too big on awards, but I am honored to be nominated for Female Athlete of the Year. Playing the sport alone is a big enough award for me, being able to run up and down the court and be entertaining to people is good enough for me. Yea it's cool and all to be recognized but sometimes worrying about awards can take away from the passion or enjoyment of a sport.
During the four years I played at Albertus I was appointed captain for three of the four years. When I first started I didn't think that I deserved the captain title. However, as I got older and matured I learned how to not only be passionate about the game but to be passionate about competing, as well as leading my teammates. I learned how to prioritize the team's success over my own needs as well as the well being of those around me. I treated my teammates with respect, recognized their contributions, and learned how to address problems positively and effectively. Three key factors that were essential to being a leader were learning how to adapt, communicate, and maintaining a positive attitude. Communication is important because effective communication ensures that the leader can convey their vision, goals, and expectations clearly to their team. Thus leading to better collaboration and productivity. Adaptability is essential for a leader like myself to navigate uncertainty and respond to unexpected challenges. This flexibility allows me to stay relevant, make informed decisions, and allows me to guide my team through transition effectively. Lastly, having a positive attitude is essential. Having a positive attitude is contagious and can significantly impact the morale and motivation of the team. My job is to encourage, support, and allow for a constructive work environment, allowing those around me to feel valued and empowered to achieve their best.
Together, these qualities enable me to be a successful leader who inspires, motivates, and empowers my team to reach their full potential. By fostering open communication, adapting to changes with agility, and maintaining a positive outlook, I was able to build strong relationships, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth for my team."
