Charlotte Lott '26 Recruiting Profile

I am not a fan of participation awards, except the one time it brought me to the greatest sport!

My twin brother started his hockey career at age 4 and I tagged along to his practices and games. Throughout the season, my mom tried to get me to join him on the ice, even offering to buy me all pink gear, my favorite color at the time, but I refused. I preferred to run the length of the rink and see what goodies the concession stand was selling! My brother's last ice time of the season included a celebration of the season. At the celebration, each coach announced his players over the loud speaker and presented each with an end of season medal. At the end of the celebration, my brother came off the ice, proudly showing off his medal. It was shinny gold, had the association mascot (a jaguar) in the middle, and hung from a red, white, and blue ribbon. I looked up at my mother and said, "I want one!" My mother said, "Well, let's get you registered for next season to get you one!" 

That day, I registered for my first season of hockey and never looked back. Hockey is a game that has brought me so much joy. It allows me to leave the outside world and put all my focus and energy into playing. Hockey has opened my world to new people and places, playing in tournaments all over the United States, as well as the Challenge Cup in Vancouver. I've made friends at hockey camps and schools, from Calgary to Minnesota to Michigan to Florida, and thanks to technology, I can keep up with my hockey friends, how their seasons are going, and their accomplishments. 

When I step on the ice, I know I have a job to do. At my very first practice, my coach held up a puck and asked us how much we thought it was worth. Kids started throwing out prices, one dollar, five dollars, a hundred dollars! He said, "Nope, this puck is worth a million dollars!" A million dollars! Our eyes lit up! The coach explained how we do not want to lose a million dollars and we do not want to lose this puck when on the ice! Our team must protect and hold onto the puck. I've never forgotten that simple explanation of the foundation of playing the greatest sport in the world, hockey. I want to be successful, both on and off the ice. I want my team to be successful. We must work together, protecting and keeping the puck. When each member of the team plays with heart and does their best, we can be successful. Some games we will win and some games we will learn from. 

My favorite people to be around are my teammates. We protect each other, just like we protect the puck. Having fun is important and we have the most fun when we win. We walk away, knowing we worked together to get that win, and those are my favorite games! Of course, scoring in hockey is vital, but I've never wanted the attention of scoring, and that is why playing defenseman from the start of my hockey career has fit me so well. I love to pass to a teammate and see them score! I love sending the puck to the net and seeing a teammate pop it in! Perhaps it is because my brother is a goalie, but I absolutely love protecting my goalie. If I'm doing my job, my goalie should be the most bored player on the ice!

Balancing academics, hockey, family, friends, and church can be challenging. I have a wonderful support system that is there for me. I know the responsibility to budget my time and set my priorities falls to me. I am currently entering my sophomore year of high school, taking honors classes, participating in drama productions throughout the year, and taking duel enrollment classes through Auburn University. I am blessed and do not take any of it for granted. I will forever be a lifelong hockey player and I would be honored to continue to play the game of hockey at the next level. I would love the challenge of playing at the collegiate level. Learning from coaches and teammates at this level would allow me to be a better hockey player and person.