Izzy Newbury ‘19 Recruiting Profile

Personal Statement

I have always loved to compete.  I remember when two girls on my street, who were a year older, were going to take their training wheels off of their bikes the upcoming weekend.  I asked my Dad if we could do it now and we did.  I rode my bike without training wheels two days before they did. 

I started in Gymnastics prior to Kindergarten and in 2008 I was the Level 3 Illinois State Gymnastics Champion.  I was also playing softball at the time and the coach insisted that I focus solely on gymnastics or I would not be moved up to the next level.  While I loved gymnastics, I did not want to be forced to compete in one sport.  I left gymnastics so I could continue to play softball.

I played softball in our City League.  I also joined a Travel Team when I was 8. I wanted to pitch so I practiced every day.  Eventually I worked with a Pitching Coach. By working hard on it over the years, I was chosen to start for the City All Star Game. I was also the #1 pitcher for our travel team.  I worked with a hitting coach and ended my career with a .493 batting average.  In my last year of travel ball, we did not have a starting catcher so I volunteered. I learned to play catcher by throwing a ball against a rebound net and letting it hit me as well as catching the balls.  I also worked with a catcher who played College Softball at Colgate.

After years of attending Blackhawks games, at age 10 I decided I wanted to play hockey.  I had skated at free skates at the local rink but that was the extent of my experience.  I joined a House Team in Franklin Park, IL.  The coaches taught me how to stop, skate backwards, shoot, etc.  I played every chance I had in pick up games, 3 on 3 leagues and tournaments.  I continue to do this.  I then moved up to AA and finally AAA for the past two years.  I got this far because I listen to and do what the coaches tell me.  I believe I have so much more improvement in me, I am not even close to being the player I believe I can be.

This summer I have a job with WSSRA (West Suburban Special Recreation Association).  During weekdays, I am a counselor at a camp for pre-school children with Special Needs.  I also teach swim lessons two nights a week and bike riding on Saturdays for many of the same children that are in the camp.  I am very passionate about the kids since I have a 17 year old Brother with Down Syndrome.  Ben and I do many things together.  2 years ago, we finished 2nd in the Special Olympics Regional Bocce Ball Competition.  As I currently look forward, I would like to focus on Physical or Occupational Therapy in College in order to work with those with Special Needs as a career.

I am currently playing rat hockey in the evenings at least once a week.  Many times I am playing with U19 and college level players, both boys and girls.  In August I will participate in the Hockey Biomechanics clinics to work on stick handling and skating. I have also started playing Lacrosse and this fall I will participate in a league with hockey friends and intend to play for my High School team in the Spring.

My competitive streak does not only apply to sports. I challenge myself and strive to be the best that I can be in the classroom.  This past school year I was enrolled in several Honors courses and for my upcoming junior year, the majority of my classes are at the Honors and AP level.  I currently have a cumulative 3.625 GPA and weighted GPA of 3.879.

I believe that committing to be the best that I can be both in the classroom and on the ice will allow me to fulfill my dream of playing College hockey as well as getting a quality education that will prepare me for my future.