Name: Josie Decker
State: Canada (exception)
High School: Western Canada High School
College: Mercyhurst University

If you were to walk into a test having not studied, what are the odds that you would earn a 100 percent?

The same principle of preparedness applies to everyday life.

Being a student-athlete is an art that many struggle to master, as it requires balancing the roles of an athlete-student and a student-athlete. Striking the perfect balance creates the most dedicated individuals and forces them to find success in both sports and academia.

It takes a love for the game and an undeterred drive to succeed. Field hockey has taught me that you get out of life what you put into it, and there are no shortcuts to success. You must earn your opportunities, new skills, and spots on teams.

As my coaches always say, “Hard work always beats talent that doesn’t work hard.”

This quote resonates with me, and I strive to be the embodiment of “hard work” in my classroom, on the field, and in my workplace. Being a student-athlete isn’t always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding.

The discipline I’ve developed through balancing my academic responsibilities and athletic commitments has sharpened my time-management skills and taught me perseverance.

Every moment spent working hard, whether on the field or with my studies, contributes to personal growth and achievement. Whether waking up early for practice or staying up late to finish assignments, I’ve learned that consistency is key, and nothing worth achieving comes easily.

As I continue my academic and athletic journey, I have chosen to attend Mercyhurst University to play field hockey. I chose Mercyhurst because of the academic and athletic opportunities it offers.

I’ve been admitted to their Applied Sociology program, and I believe it will help me reach my goal of becoming a forensic psychologist or sociologist.

Mercyhurst has an outstanding campus, caring professors, small class sizes, amazing teammates, and exceptional coaches like Coach Mackenzie Hadfield and Coach Taylor Geisel.

In my discussions with administrators and coaches, I’m confident I’ve found an environment that will support me throughout my four years.

The university’s motto, “Carpe Diem” or “Seize the Day,” reminds me that life is short, and nothing is promised. To me, it means being the best version of myself in everything I do.

It represents making the most of life because all good things come from doing good.

This motto will guide me as I pursue both my academic and athletic goals at Mercyhurst. I look forward to embracing every challenge and growing through every obstacle. The balance I seek between my studies and sport will not always be easy, but I’m committed to making the most of every opportunity.

As a Division I female athlete, my goal is to inspire other young girls to pursue sports. Studies show that 95 percent of female CEOs participated in athletics growing up, which speaks volumes about the opportunities women can seize when given the chance to work hard and learn life skills.

I believe sports help women become successful by building leadership, discipline, and confidence. I want to show young girls that they can achieve anything they set their minds to, both in sports and in life.

This post was written by Josie Decker. She is participating in the 2025 Dr. Judith Benscoter Female Athlete Scholarship contest. You may also vote for her video on our Instagram account @female_athlete_news

The scholarship winner will be determined by most votes (likes) on their Instagram video and the most votes cast on the candidate’s essay writing.

Voting runs from March 13-16. Winners will be announced March 17.