Big Green Beyond the Field: Eliza Bennett
4/10/2010 9:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse, Athletics
Get to know the Big Green through our question and answer sessions with a Dartmouth women's lacrosse player. Check back often for new featured players.
Eliza Bennett (Darien, Conn.), SR, A
Senior co-captain Eliza Bennett has been an integral part of the Dartmouth lineup throughout her career. Though currently sidelined with an injury, she has amassed 50 career points including 42 goals. Off the field,she is a geography major, named to the IWLCA Academic Squad last season.
What are your goals for the season: My goal for the season is to work with the other members in my class to grow as a leader in a way that effectively motivates our teammates to achieve success both on and off the field, while maintaining a positive and healthy perspective. Being injured for a majority of this season has really given me a lot of opportunities to grow as a leader in ways that I haven't been able to do previously. I hope that I can continue to find ways to support my teammates' efforts on the field with my efforts on the sideline.
I appreciate my teammates: I appreciate the seflessness of my teammates. Every single day I am impressed by how giving each and every member of this team is. I really feel that every person on this team is working so hard for her teammates, and I can't say that I've seen that on other teams that I have been a part of. And the hard work isn't just seen on the field. My teammates are constantly reaching out and connecting, and often that emotional investment is even more taxing than the physical work they're doing. But that dedication is what makes them so selfless.
Favorite thing about Dartmouth Lacrosse: My favorite thing about this program is that it turns good kids into incredibly mature and strong women. We're being taught every day how to deal with adversity, how to lead by example, how to support other people, how to respect the leaders, how to challenge your peers, and how to give and receive constructive criticism. I am incredibly thankful for these life lessons and I know that each and every person to have gone through this program has learned them as well, and that is really special.
Best part of a team road trip: Picking out movies - it helps to be a senior.
Why you wear #11: Because it's number 1, twice.
Before every game I: Take some time for myself and just watch the crazy things other people are saying and doing. It never gets old.
Do you live with any of your teammates: Julie Wadland this year (also sophomore year). I'm honestly surprised she hasn't gotten sick of me yet.
Why Dartmouth: Because this place is full of energetic, intelligent, well-rounded people who appreciate the balance of hard work and having fun. Dartmouth is a school where you're constantly meeting people who have done amazing things academically but who also are highly accomplished in another field--and they can have a real conversation with you!
Favorite hangout spot at Dartmouth: The Green when it's sunny out
What would you bring from home to Hanover: My dog and cats, but my sister Courtney '13 would probably steal the cats from me.
Dream job: Director of a global health organization that works towards achieving healthy bodies using resources at the community level
Most influential person in my life: Both of my parents. From day one, they've taught the importance of love and laughter--and that I can get through pretty much anything with those.
Three things you'd want with you on a deserted island: Another person, a few great books and sunscreen.
Favorite quote: “Some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity...” Gilda Radner
Something most people don't know about me: I am a crossword fanatic and aspire to do the Sunday New York Times crossword by myself. In pen.
My motto: My new year's resolution is kind of my motto right now: “Be patient. Be present. And leave room for the serendipity.”
