HAMILTON - Over the next couple of weeks, gocolgateraiders.com will check in with former Raider field hockey alumnae to get their thoughts on their time in Hamilton and to see what have been up to since their graduation from Colgate.
 
This week's edition features Maddie Watrobski, a defender who started all 68 games for the Raiders during her four-year career (2005-08).  A Patriot-League First-Team selection during her senior season, Watrobski ended her career as the program's career assists leader (27), a mark she holds to this day.
 
A native of nearby Rochester, N.Y., Watrobski returned to the Flower City after graduation and remains there to this day, working as a market research analyst Neilsen Holdings. She remains active in the field hockey community as well, recently becoming an assistant coach for the USA Field Hockey regional squad, located in Rochester.

GoCoglateRaiders.com: Why did you choose to attend Colgate?

Watrobski: Coach Foto was the first coach who reached out to me during the recruiting process. It was on my list, but I wasn't so sure about going to a small school in state, especially so close to home. When I stepped onto campus to visit, I absolutely fell in love with the place. Foto was awesome, the campus was gorgeous, and I liked the idea of solid academics and small class sizes. It was down to Colgate and Central Michigan, and I picked Colgate for a winning combination of strong academics and a solid field hockey program.

GoCoglateRaiders.com: What was your experience at Colgate like?

Watrobski: "?My experience was a very exciting four years. Academics were extremely challenging, and Foto and my professors were always supportive.? I truly loved training daily with my team on the pitch and in the weight room. There was extra pride being a student-athlete and representing Colgate as we traveled to other universities to compete. I was proud to be a Colgate student and I'm even more passionate and proud to be part of the awesome Colgate alumni community."

GoCoglateRaiders.com: How did being a Division I athlete compliment your experience at Colgate?

Watrobski: "Being a part of Division I athletics helped bring a lot of structure, discipline, and fun to my Colgate experience. It was a lot of work and I had to choose fewer social engagements, but I wouldn't have done it any other way.? I couldn't imagine a collegiate experience without athletics. Division I was an amazing opportunity and I'm glad that I had it. Playing a sport, at any level, is so important and I highly encourage it for other students."

GoCoglateRaiders.com: What did you get out of your Colgate experience, both academically and athletically?

Watrobski: "I learned a lot of time management and balance with handling Division I athletics and a rigorous academic schedule for molecular biology. It helped me develop further into a being a solid team player, to be successful, and to find a solution no matter how large the complication.? Athletically and academically, I was forced to stretch and push limits. It helped me become an even stronger athlete and a better student."

GoCoglateRaiders.com: What has your career path been since your graduation from Colgate?

Watrobski: "My career path has been quite unique post-Colgate. I started working in a neurosurgery research lab at the University of Rochester Medical Center, since it really fit my academic background from Colgate.? A colleague suggested I try classes at the Simon School of Business at University of Rochester. I began my MBA program at night and continued to work full time in the lab. I eventually switched into stem cell research while wrapping up my MBA program. I enjoyed my Market Research class at Simon and figured to try out that field to see if I liked it better than my current research roles. I found a job with Nielsen shortly after and absolutely love what I do. Every day is different at Nielsen, bringing new challenges and learning, which help me grow. I have been quite successful in my short time with the company, and I owe a lot of what I learned and experienced at Colgate to this success."

GoColgateRaiders.com: You were born and raised in Rochester, where you now live and recently purchased your first home. What kept you in the region after graduation?

Watrobski: "I didn't intend to stay in Rochester long-term after graduation, but opportunities have presented themselves that have allowed me to stay. I landed my dream job at Nielsen locally. I could have traveled somewhere else, and kept my job. When I looked at cost of living and apartments in larger cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, NY, and San Diego, I realized that I could buy a house here for less than renting a small apartment elsewhere.

"The field hockey community here is also near and dear to my heart, which also was part of the draw to staying in Rochester. I already had a strong network of field hockey people and a solid social network, so the next task was hunting for the perfect house. I ended up finding and falling in love with a gorgeous 1920s home with all hardwoods and original leaded glass, on both floors, which is so rare.

"Once I bought the house in January and word got out I was sticking around (at least semi-permanently), I was called up by the local field hockey leaders and was asked to join the USAFH staff and become an assistant coach for the local club. Her exact words were now that you have a house, we know you are staying, and we want you to join us. You have an invaluable experience as a Division I athlete and so few of you are in the area and you have been coaching for awhile, so you have a lot to offer.

"The true icing on the cake of opting to stay here was that I met an amazing man the weekend I closed on my home. We have been together since, and we are a pretty awesome team. Matt owns his own chiropractic business, with a focus on manual adhesion release and working with athletes. I've enjoyed being one of his patients and now being a part of the business offering insight and recommendations off my MBA degree and experience in market research."

GoCoglateRaiders.com: How have you stayed connected with the Colgate community since graduation?

Watrobski: "Soon after graduating Colgate I got involved with the Rochester Alumni group, at the time led by another Colgate field hockey colleague, Nancy (Miller) Maynard (2005). I volunteered there and helped organized events to get other local alumni involved. Nancy eventually passed the torch and I served as club president for a few years. I have now passed the torch to another volunteer to lead as president and I still serve as a volunteer on the committee.

"I also try to get back at least once every fall to see Foto and see the girls play.?

"Every two years, Foto and the girls host a tournament and I've gone back every time possible to play with fellow alumnae and to meet the current students. It's always fun connecting with the players and being back on campus."?

GoCoglateRaiders.com: What skills did you get from your experience at Colgate that have been particularly helpful in your life?

Watrobski: "Time management, sticking to commitments, and finding ways to succeed no matter the challenge or circumstance are the big takeaways from my time at Colgate. I've grown into a stronger teammate, which has served me well in corporate America.? Rarely in life do we work alone or have limited interaction with others. My experiences at Colgate, both academically and athletically, have prepared me to handle real life in ways other students who don't compete in high-level athletics. Employers love to see Division I athletics on a resume, and having the Colgate name next to it gives me a huge advantage in opportunities. The invaluable skills are directly applicable to real life and being successful in the workplace."

GoCoglateRaiders.com: Looking back, what advice would you give to current students?

Watrobski: "Enjoy every moment at Colgate because it goes by quickly. You can never replace those four years and those experiences, both good and bad. Colgate will set you up and prepare you for success later in life, in and out of the classroom, on and off the pitch. Soak up every learning opportunity and it will create memories that last a lifetime.? Each of those moments will have an effect on your development into adulthood and surviving the real world with success."

GoCoglateRaiders.com: What advice do you have for graduating seniors?

Watrobski:"Always be ready for then unexpected and diverting off your 'plan!'

"I didn't intend to go to a small school in-state, but absolutely fell in love with Colgate the moment I stepped foot on campus.

"I didn't intend to stay rooted in Rochester, but I was able to earn my MBA from a stellar graduate program. This led to landing my dream job, and deciding to buy a home by myself at age 27. Finally rooting down here in Rochester, I was asked to join the USAFH staff and coach with the local club team. The icing on this unexpected cake was meeting an amazing guy who owns his own chiropractic business focusing on athletes.

"I have it 'all' and I couldn't be happier. None of this was part of my after Colgate plan. So my advice to the graduating seniors is: set an intention and be prepared to ride the wave."