The University of Mary Washington Athletic Department has launched a new student-athlete spotlight, "Inside the Nest." Each month, we will be celebrating student-athletes from different communities within our department. The focus for May is the Class of 2020.
Name: Lexie Dixson
Sport: Field Hockey
Hometown: Landenberg, PA
Major: Business Administration
Favorite Class:
Negotiation
Favorite Professor:
Professor Oxford
Favorite part about being a UMW student-athlete:
Our athletic community. Something really special about playing varsity sports at a smaller school is the relationships you make not only with your teammates, but also the people throughout the athletic community. Whether that be fellow athletes, coaches, or faculty. I've met some of my best friends at this school and from the first day I stepped foot on campus I never felt like I couldn't find "my people".
Favorite thing to do in Fredericksburg:
Explore downtown!!
Fun fact about me:
I have three brothers.
Favorite UMW memory:
Wow. Thinking back now, there are so many things that made my time at Mary Wash special and it's hard to pick a favorite memory! I mean, I'm finished with college, done playing competitive sports, what am I supposed to do with my life now? The one thing I know I'll never forget was the first day of preseason my freshman year. We had to be at our first session (one of three I might add) at 5:45 AM. Well, that morning my alarm didn't go off. When I woke up it was 5:40 and I had five minutes to be at the field. Luckily, one of my teammates and now close friends came and picked me up and we made it to the field right before the mile was about to start. This memory I have isn't scoring my first goal, getting my first hat trick, or making it to the conference championships… The reason I love this memory so much is because that morning was one of the most stressful I'd ever had in my life up to that point (HA) and it turned into a day that I would never forget.
What has playing at UMW meant to you:
Jeez. I can't believe it's over. Having the opportunity to continue to play the sport I love in college was a dream come true. I feel like a lot of my life had led to this moment of becoming a college athlete and now that that's finished it's nice to look back at all of my accomplishments and know I left it all on the field. I chose D3 because I wanted a good balance between sports and academics. Not everyone gets a chance to play in college, and not everyone has the same access and privilege to play sports in general. This sport has taught me so much and playing at UMW has provided me with opportunities I never would have imagined. I've met so many incredible people, traveled to another country, and have shared my knowledge and love of the game with so many others. I'm really going to miss it, but in my heart, I know I'll always be an Eagle.
Post-graduate plans:
I am currently working for a defense contractor in the area of Business Development and coaching on the side to stay involved in the hockey world. I hope to continue this path and one day start my own business!
I would like to thank:
My parents for always supporting me and teaching me to never give up. My brothers for making me as competitive as I am. My aunt for introducing me to this sport. My coaches for pushing me and helping me realize my potential. My athletic trainers for all they have done for me. The rest of the UMW faculty and staff that contributed to my experience. And my teammates, for keeping me sane amidst this chaotic lifestyle we all lived.