Boston College's Chelsey Feole grew up a "New England" girl, dreaming of going to Boston College. It worked out perfectly when Boston College joined the ACC, a premiere field hockey conference. The junior took a minute to talk to theACC.com about her team, the community and how she got to BC.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
I'm not 5'0", I'm 4'11".
When and how did you start playing field hockey?
Quick Facts
Favorite Movie: A League of Their Own
Favorite Pro Athlete: Mike Lowell
Favorite Pregame Music: Spice Girls
Favorite Pregame Meal: Cereal and fruit
Favorite Place on Campus: McElroy Commons Dining Hall |
I started when I was in fifth grade. I went to one of my friend's indoor field hockey games. She was in sixth grade and they didn't have enough people on their team, so I got to play in just jeans and a nice shirt. I loved it. The following year when I went to sixth grade, I tried out for the school team.
Did you play any other sports in high school?
I played field hockey, basketball and softball all four years of high school.
Why did you choose field hockey?
It just had that little something special. I was really into softball as well, almost 50-50, but field hockey had that one little something special about it. I couldn't explain what it was, but I knew it was something I wanted to pursue in college.
Why did you choose Boston College?
I guess its cliché, but BC has always been "that place" for me since I am a New England girl (from Windham, N.H.). I love BC. As a kid, I looked up to everything that was BC. Then when I got older and they moved into the ACC, I couldn't think of a more ideal situation. I'm close to home, going to an unbelievable school and playing in the best field hockey conference in the country. It all worked out as perfectly as I could imagine.
What do you do when you're not playing field hockey?
I live in an apartment with four other field hockey girls, so I spend a lot of time there. I go to class and then we do a lot of community service as a (field hockey) team.
What are some of the things you do in the community?
There is this little hospital around the corner, and as a team we'll go there and play with the kids, spend time with them. There are times when underprivileged kids will come to our school and we'll hang out with them for a while. We'll take them to a basketball game or a hockey game. Spending time with those kids, having fun, relaxing - letting them enjoy the atmosphere with us.
What is your secret to balancing school, field hockey and everything else you want to do?
Focusing on time management and finding a way. There really is no secret. When it comes down to it, you just need to find a way to get it done. We have classes and practice all throughout the day and late afternoon, sometimes even night classes. It is finding your own motivation at night to get your work done. It is knowing if you have an away trip on the weekend, you have to get everything done before you leave so you can be focused on the weekend. I knew when I was coming here that I'd have these time constraints and things would be busy. If you talk with anyone on our team, they'll all say you have to find a way and motivate yourself to do work and to balance everything out.
Even though it is a year away, what do you want to do after college?
As of right now I don't have any set plans, but lately I've been talking to my coaches about going abroad and playing field hockey. Hopefully I'll have the opportunity to get paid for that and spend a year in Italy, Spain or Australia and enjoying the opportunity. I'm not sure if I'll follow through with it, but I think it would be an amazing option if it could ever happen.
Who is your most influential role model?
My grandmother. She has been through so much. She is one of my best friends. I call her all the time and she is always calling me, telling me "I heard you won your game. I'm so happy for you." She used to come to every sporting event of mine. I think the world of her. I tell her everything and there is nothing better than spending time with her.
What is the best advice you have ever received from a coach?
Never forget why you started playing in the beginning. Never lose that fire and desire that made you want to play a sport. Keep the love and the fun alive and never forget why you play the sport.
What are your thoughts on being named captain this year?
I was so honored and thrilled. It is so exciting that I have the opportunity to be one of our leaders this year. I hope I'm doing a good job so far. I was so happy and honored my teammates thought so highly of me.
What is your most memorable moment in sports?
Last year when we beat Boston University. We were at the "U" and there were so many fans there. We were losing 1-0 with four minutes left in the game and I scored the tying goal. Literally 30 seconds later, we scored another goal on a corner and we ended up winning the game. There were so many fans there and it was a night game - the energy was awesome.
You scored 11 goals last season and have already scored 11 this year...how does it feel to be second on the team in goals?
The chemistry, not only the forwards but the whole team, is better. Everyone is connecting so well. The goals are just goals. I am getting set up perfectly by other forwards and (midfielders) and defenders on the team. I'd like to take credit for the goals, but I'm getting perfect passes and perfect plays and corners that other people are setting up. I'm just lucky enough to be there in front of the goal. As a team, we are working better together and the goals are just being produced. There is a confidence thing too. I have more confidence this year. As a team, we are working so much better together the goals are just producing.
What does the team still hope to accomplish this season?
Short-term goal - we want to make the NCAA tournament. Once we make that, then it's ours for the taking. We truly believe we have a shot of winning the whole thing if we make the tournament. But we know that's not going to happen overnight. We have some huge games coming up - undefeated Syracuse, then a huge game against Wake Forest, who is second in the country. Then we have the ACC tournament, which is the best teams in the country. We have a lot of work to do, but our goal is to make it to the NCAA tournament and make a name for ourselves there.
Feole and the Eagles return to action on Friday when they host cross-town rival Northeastern.
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