Senior Spotlight: Jessica Hughes, Penn State Beaver
Welcome to our Senior Spotlight. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the PSUAC had to cancel its spring 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. Next up is Penn State Beaver's Jessica Hughes!
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Name: Jessica Hughes
Campus: Penn State Beaver
Sport: Softball
Primary Position: Pitcher, first base, third base
Hometown/High School: Hopewell High School
Major: Psychology
Academic Achievements:
Sophomore: PSUAC All-Academic Award, PSUAC All-Conference, USCAA All-American (2nd team)
Junior: PSUAC All Academic Award, made Dean’s List both semesters
Q&A:
- What advice do you have for your younger teammates or recruits that are looking at coming to Penn State (campus name)?
People always say to play every game like it is your last. That is my advice for my younger teammates and for recruits coming in. I feel that a lot of athletes never really think about when their last game is really going to be. I feel that a majority of athletes just expects that their final game will be their last game of their senior year. After having my senior year taken away from me, in the blink of an eye, this advice hit me hard on how true it actually is. I wish I had just one more game. One more game to leave it all on the field. One more game to show off all my hard work over the years. One more game to experience the rush of having a tied game in the bottom of the seventh, bases loaded, two outs, and a 3-2 count. This is why, my advice is to play every game like it is your last. Once that final game is over, you’re not going to be able to get that same rush again. Play each game with no regrets, as if it is your last!
- What impact did athletics have on your experience as a college student?
Being a student athlete taught me how to manage my time wisely. It pushed me to keep up on my schoolwork in order to be eligible to play during the season. It also allowed for me to meet some amazing people along the way. Being an athlete let me create more friendships and amazing memories with my teammates that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
- Are there teammates, coaches or family members you would like to thank for having a positive impact on your playing career?
I would like to thank my head coach, Andy Kirschner, for always pushing me to be the best that I could be. Without him, I probably would not have become the athlete that I am today. After I tore my ACL freshman year, he help get me back on the field with no fears. I especially would like to thank my parents for everything they have done for me over the years. They have given up so much of their time over the past 12 years for me to be able to play the sport I love. They have always been my number one fans, on and off the field, and continue to push me to be the best that I can possibly be.