Senior Spotlight: Mackenzie Joy, Penn State Hazleton
Welcome to our Senior Spotlight series. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the PSUAC had to cancel its fall and winter sport seasons. This prevented several student-athletes from receiving a proper senior day and minimized opportunities for Player of the Week awards. In its place, we will highlight seniors from around the conference throughout the remainder of the semester.
See more Senior Spotlight highlights on our Twitter (@psuac) and Instagram (psuac)!
Name: Mackenzie Joy
Campus: Hazleton
Primary Sport: Basketball/Softball
Primary Position(s): Softball- 1st, outfield, Catcher Basketball- Forward
Hometown: Hazleton, PA
High School: Marian Catholic
Major: Marketing and Management
Academic Achievements: USCAA National All-Academic Award in basketball and softball
How did your Penn State education prepare you for life after graduation? Penn State education really helped me prepare for interviews, cover letters, resumes, and much needed skills to get a job. Also in all my classes it gave me more confidence to talk in front of people in presentations.
How do you hope to be remembered by teammates and coaches? I hope to be remember as someone that brought "joy" and positive energy to all practices, games, and events.
What is your favorite memory from playing your sport at Penn State? My favorite memory would be at softball nationals at the USCAA World Series. We were down 2-6 in the 7th inning and I started a rally to tie us with NHTI. The next inning which was an extra inning I had a two RBI triple to clinch the win. Biggest comeback in my career.
What is the best advice you ever received from a coach or teammate that you would share with other student-athletes? The best advice from teammates is play with your heart and don't think about it too much.
What are you most looking forward to post graduation? Or in your transition to University Park (or other campus) to finish your degree? I'm looking forward to starting a full time job and hope to move somewhere warmer to enjoy the sunshine.
What are some of the tools or skills that you learned through all the years of playing your sport that you plan to instill once you enter the workforce? Some tools would be if your on time your late, multitasking skills, and time management skills.
What impact did athletics have on your experience as a college student? What is your favorite memory outside of athletics during your time as a student-athlete? Being an athlete at PSU Hazleton helped me gain new friendships that I would not have had if it wasn't for joining sport teams. Being a comminutor it was hard to make friends but being with a team multiple days of the week it opened me up to new friends and a new family. Favorite memory is working at the cafe with my best friend Caitlyn.
Please use this space to thank anyone you wish to acknowledge for their support during your academic and athletic career. I would like to thank my family and friends that supported all my decisions with school and athletics. I also wanted to thank Patrice and Ryan for helping me transition into PSU Hazleton and been supporting me since I transferred.