NEW LONDON, N.H. - As we enter the last couple days of NCAA Division 3 week, Colby-Sawyer Athletics continue to showcase their student athletes careers, and their decision to attend a division three institution to continue their education. Today, we feature a major cornerstone of the Colby-Sawyer community with Graduate student, Samantha Bishop (Windham, N.H.).
"Choosing D3 for me was about more than just playing the sport I love – it was about challenging myself to grow and become well rounded in every aspect of life" Said Bishop about her experience at the division three level. "Here, I have had the opportunity lead, to compete, and to make an impact beyond the game. D3 athletics is more than just a competition; it is a commitment to something greater. It is about excelling on the field, pushing myself in the classroom, and giving back to the community. Through my experience playing D3 I have found a family, lifelong friendships, networking opportunities, and a platform to help others. D3 allows me to challenge myself, grow as a leader, and make a lasting impact both on and off the field. That is why I choose D3."
Bishop has been the exact definition of someone you want to lead a community or build a culture. She has participated on the women's soccer team for the last five years as she has been a major factor to the teams success over the course of her career. She currently sits second all time in assists in program history with 29, as well as been a leader on the team in the captain role over the last two years. As a Junior she was an impact on the field as she ranked 16th in the conference by the end of her season with four assists. Senior year she would go on to rank second in the conference as she got eleven assists. Bishop has also scored fifteen goals in her career while also putting herself ninth all time in program history for points.
Off the field, Sam has worked hard to make a major impact on campus. In her Sophomore year, she was named as the Student Athlete Advisory Committee Vice President, before serving the next two years as President. Bishop has also worked very closely with the athletic communication office during her time at Colby-Sawyer and has been one of the driving forces in the addition of multiple different segments and features across athletics social media. She has also helped ramp up the Colby-Sawyer game day experience being a producer for multiple sports teams during the live streaming of games. Sam was award the Chargie Champion of Character Award in 2023-24 for her dedication to Colby-Sawyer.
Sam's dedication and presence on campus will be missed by both the athletic department and the campus community as a whole.
