Brittany Dickinson is a senior field hockey player at Wake Forest. Hailing from Collegeville, PA, she earned four varsity letters at Methacton High School, where she started for all four years.

On top of that, Dickinson also played club field hockey for 6 years, until she graduated, all while earning a number of championships.

Her skill also lead her to play with the USA Field Hockey U17 and U19 National Teams.

Lizzie Snyder: As a senior, what has been your favorite Wake Forest field hockey memory so far?

Brittany Dickinson: My favorite memory would have to be when we beat Syracuse and knocked them out of the ACC tournament in a huge upset game my sophomore year. This was the first game that I was unable to play in following a major surgery, so I was actually not even on the field, but just the overall energy was unreal and I still get chills thinking about the win.

LS: With the team ranked No. 14 in the nation early in the season (correct me if I’m wrong), what are you most excited about for this season?

BD: I am beyond excited about the opportunity that this team has this year to leave our mark on Wake Forest Field Hockey history. With a very talented senior class and returning players with the addition of freshmen who are capable of making an impact, I really feel that we have big things ahead of us. We are also so genuinely close as a team that I am just excited to be able to spend time with this group of girls regardless of what the scoreboard on any given day might read.

LS: What has been your greatest challenge as an athlete or student at Wake Forest? What advice would you give to young athletes on the same path?

BD: My greatest challenge without a doubt has been the two stomach surgeries I endured while here. I went into emergency surgery right before

post-season fall of my sophomore year for a gastric rupture, then returned to play as early as that spring. I ended up needing an additional surgery at the end of the spring season. Luckily, I have made a full recovery after taking a medical leave of absence for my junior year and am able to play my senior season. The best advice I could give to young athletes who may be faced with any type of adversity, such as injury, is to keep persevering and remember why you started playing. As long as your love of the game is still there, and your body can physically do what you are asking it to do, don’t let fear of failure hold you back.

LS: How do you pump yourself up before a big match?

BD: Before a big game I like to take some time and detach from everyone, put my beats on, and listen to music. Right before game time I need to take my headphones off and sing and dance with the team. It really helps get the pre-game nerves out to be united as a team in a fun environment. 

LS: You’ve been to the NCAA tournament every year since you’ve attended Wake Forest. What are your goals for this season to achieve a similar level of success?

BD: The NCAA tournament has become a standard for our team and we hold ourself to that standard on a day-to-day basis at practice as well as off the field. Staying unified and healthy as a team is important to post-season success. In post-season, every team is good and truthfully it is anyone’s game. The teams who are healthy and have the best team chemistry are the ones who will make it the furthest.

LS: Do you see yourself playing field hockey after this season?

BD: I do not see myself continuing to play field hockey competitively after this season, especially because there aren’t many options in the U.S. post-college other than the National Team. However, I will always cherish all the experiences, life-long friends and life lessons field hockey has given me.