Athlete Spotlight: Basketball Senior Captain Abigail Vampatella
by Nicole Valli '21, Staff Reporter
Fun Facts about Abby Vampatella: She’s a lefty, She does not know how to use a can opener, She has never seen the movie Love and Basketball, She buys Pillsbury crescent rolls every time she goes to the grocery store, and she drinks milk only out of mugs.
Tartan: What sport(s) did you play in high school?
Abby: Basketball and Volleyball
Tartan: Where are you from?
Abby: Mansfield, Connecticut
Tartan: Did you choose to come to Gordon for basketball or it was just a factor?
Abby: I knew I wanted to play basketball in college. But there was a bunch of other factors that led to me coming to Gordon. But I don’t think I would have looked at Gordon originally if it weren’t for basketball.
The following three questions were asked by our followers:
Tartan: Why do you walk around campus like a flock of geese?
Abby: *laughed loudly* That’s hilarious. Our team is big on inclusion, so we go everywhere together. We don’t leave practice until everyone is ready. It’s one of those
little things that a lot of people don’t understand. But we are a team, so we do everything together as a team. Also, we all love each other.
Tartan: Does everyone on your team hang out together outside of practices/games?
Abby: Yes, we love to do things together whether it’s watching another basketball game or going to Lane or doing random games or activities.
Tartan: What is your go-to pump up jam?
Abby: I can’t go away from Chris Brown. There are a couple songs by Chris Brown that I have to admit I queue up as soon as the bus gets to our away games. I always walk into the gym playing the same song. I love “Kiss Kiss” and “Questions” and “Ayo”.
Tartan: What do you want to do after you graduate?
Abby: I want a graduate assistant position. I would love to be a collegiate coach and so I think that is a great first step for me. If that doesn’t work out, I would love to be a teacher. We will see where God places me
Tartan: What is your major?
Abby: Elementary education major with a history minor
Tartan: How has it been balancing student teaching and being a captain and athlete?
Abby: It has been “doable” but I need to make sure I manage my time really well. Playing a sport has honestly taught me time management. But this semester in general, I have needed to use every pocket of time to get work done. And I need to make sure I get enough sleep and I am able to perform at the highest level in the classroom so sometimes that means not going to practice or not lifting because I need to make sure I keep my academics first.
Tartan: What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a team captain?
Abby: My favorite part is the relationships that I’ve gotten to build with my teammates. I am a big relational person. I think one of the things that makes a good captain is being able to have a friendship with everyone on the team. People aren’t going to want to trust you at al if they don’t know you. So it’s been a lot of fun being a captain getting to know all my teammates really well over the past three years. My Least favorite thing is that it can be draining especially when there is a lot going on with different people on the team. I love the challenge and the responsibility, but it can be a lot.
Tartan: What position do you play?
Abby: I came into college being a small forward or a 3 but I’ve been a power forward or a 4 my whole career. I pretty much play any position or wherever is needed.
Tartan: How many injuries have you had over the course of 4 years at Gordon?
Abby: Oh boy, this is going to be the longest answer out of all these questions. So, coming into college I was fresh off an ACL injury. I got cleared the day before I got back to school. Midway into freshman year I had a stress fracture, and then I recovered from that. Then two and a half weeks into sophomore year, I got a different stress fracture. I was able to play in the second half of sophomore year, thankfully. Three practices into junior year, I tore my ACL. I got cleared the day I came back to school senior year. My knee still bothers me sometimes but at this point I only have a couple more games left in my career, so I push through.
Tartan: Have you ever had the thought of quitting cross your mind during your 4 years?
Abby: Some point in spring of freshman year, I briefly talked to my mom about transferring. I was pretty unhappy in general. It was honestly the education program that kept me here. I’m really glad I didn’t transfer. But when I tore my ACL, a lot of people asked if I was going to hang up basketball but the thought of quitting has never crossed my mind.
Tartan: Who would you say is your ultimate inspiration/rolemodel when it comes to basketball?
Abby: A player I look up to is Morgan Tuck. She played for UCONN. I just loved her style of play and the way she was such a quiet leader on a team with two super dynamic all Americans. But I really have looked up to Sarah Gibbs (Hayworth) just in the way that she led our team in those three years. She is just the best leader I have ever seen in my entire life and I admire her in so many ways.
Tartan: What would you say has been the biggest challenge through being a student athlete?
Abby: It is hard to leave your personal life at the door when you go to play basketball. At the same time, it can be hard to focus on school when injuries, a disappointing loss or frustrations on the team are also happening. It’s hard when one aspect of your life is affecting another. That’s been a challenge for me. And with my injuries, dealing with the disappointment of that.
Tartan: What is your favorite part about being on a team?
Abby: I love the relationships. It was cool coming into college having 20 built in friends. And the way our team has evolved and grown. It’s just been so fun to make memories with my teammates and go through highs and lows that no one else can really relate too. My teammates have been there for me through the hardest things I’ve ever experienced in my life and I’m really grateful for the experiences I have had with them.
Tartan: If you could go back and talk to your freshman self, what advice would you give her?
Abby: *starts laughing* My senior year self would absolutely get in a fight with my freshman year self, probably a physical fight. I was so full of myself freshman year and I wish someone had put me in my place, but I think God did by making me get injured. So I think that injury was really humbling. I would’ve definitely put myself in my place. I also would have told myself to put less pressure on my performance. I was super nervous coming in as a freshman and wanted to instantly have everyone like me because of my skill set. But, at the end of the day no one cares about how many points I score.
Tartan: What is your favorite motto or saying?
Abby: Ever since freshman year of high school, I have written on my wrist “AO1” which means Audience of One. It is something I have struggled with applying in my life. It is just a reminder to play for God and not try to impress others but instead to use the gifts God has given me.
Tartan: Favorite Bible verse?
Abby: 1 Peter 5:7- “Cast all your anxieties on him for he cares for you”. In the past two years, that has just been a lifeline that I have gone back to over and over again. I am easily stressed out by things I can’t control. It is a reminder to let those fears go to Him.
Tartan: Do you have a favorite college team?
Abby: Definitely the Women’s UCONN team. I grew up watching them.
Tartan: What is your favorite post-game eat?
Abby: Oh, I LOVE spaghetti and meatballs. After practice, I can just smell them. All I want to eat is spaghetti and meatballs. It has to be the great Italian meatballs though.
Tartan: What do you do when you’re not working out, at practice, or teaching?
Abby: Sleeping. Hahaha I’m usually hanging out with friends. I am a huge extrovert, so I like to fill every single second of my day with things. So, whether it’s getting food with them, going outside and doing something or watching a movie, I am always with people.
Tartan: What is your favorite way to unwind?
Abby: I love a good movie or tv show like The Office or New Girl and I’m a sucker for Disney movies.