By A.J. Mitchell
Contributing Writer
For Gretta LaCouture, college wasn’t a scary concept just because of dining hall food.
Coming to Bonaventure meant leaving behind all her family and friends almost 1,600 miles away in Denver, Colorado to play for the women’s soccer team.
Once LaCouture made it to Bona’s, she quickly settled in. She said that transition was made easy by the welcoming nature of the campus.
“I thought being 1,564 miles away from home and my family and life as I knew it would be very hard, and I was expecting to be homesick for a long time,” said LaCouture. “However, the people and environment at [Bonaventure] really made me feel at home, happy and safe.”
It was clear that one of the reasons that LaCouture wanted to come to Bona’s is because of the people here, which helped her become quickly acclimated to campus. Another Colorado native on the team, senior defender Sydney Cassagnol, aided in her ability to become accustomed to Bonaventure.
“It took only a few days with my soccer team, coaches, faculty and exploring campus [in order to] feel like I was where I belonged,” LaCouture said. “The kindness and [close knit] atmosphere here at SBU is one that is [irreplaceable,] and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Besides the people, LaCouture envisioned herself here because of the scenery.
“My absolute favorite part of campus is of course how gorgeous it is, especially the soccer field when the sun is setting, but also, more importantly, how nice and friendly everyone on campus is,” LaCouture said. “The Bona Bubble is something I never want to leave because everyone is so welcoming and kindness is contagious on campus.”
LaCouture already believes she brings a positive and focused presence to the team despite the fact that she is new to the program.
“I am always willing to encourage and help my teammates on and off the field. I hate seeing my teammates upset or struggling in any aspect of their lives, and I do anything I can to make a difference in their day. I always come to practice, games, lift and conditioning focused and ready to go so that can be the best I can be for myself, my teammates and SBU,” said LaCouture.
She has been playing soccer ever since she was a little girl.
“I have been kicking around a soccer ball since I could walk. My dad was the coach of my first soccer team when I was four years old. My team was called the PowerPuff Girls,” said LaCouture.
Likewise, there are many different aspects to soccer that make the sport very difficult. LaCouture’s favorite part about the game is the constant competitiveness it brings and how unpredictable it is.
“Soccer is a game of change and thinking on your feet. You cannot plan how the game will go and how your team and other teams will play, but no matter what, it is always competitive,” says LaCouture.
The recruiting process can be overwhelming for some athletes, but LaCouture had those worries eradicated when she stepped foot onto our campus. One of the perks about our program that convinced her to attend St. Bonaventure is the small team size and the coaching staff.
“Ever since the first day I talked to Coach Steve on the phone my junior year of high school, I knew he cared about his players beyond their soccer abilities. He cares for us like we are his family, wanting us to succeed on and off the soccer field and overall be good people in this world,” said LaCouture. “Our small roster size compared to many Division I programs allows each of us to develop as a player because more attention can be focused towards us from the coaches.”
LaCouture is inspired by her family to keep competing.
“Every single member of my family has taught me very important lessons and inspire me every day to be like them,” said LaCouture. “My brother has inspired me to work hard and be myself, my mom has taught me to be a fighter for the things I believe in and love and my dad has inspired me through his humor and willingness to put other’s needs before his own. Other members of my family have inspired me to be kind and caring towards everyone and to always have integrity.”
mitcheaj17@bonaventure.edu
