Atkinson named CIS Rookie of the Year
Bridget Atkinson, a first-year point guard for the Guelph Gryphons women’s basketball team, was named Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Rookie of the Year. With the honour, Atkinson became the first women’s basketball player for the University of Guelph to win the Kathy Shields Award, and became just the third in program history to earn a major CIS award. Atkinson talks about the honour, her first year, and more.
Stephanie Coratti: Why did you choose Guelph to pursue your athletic and academic career?
Bridget Atkinson: […] When I took my first step on campus for my visit [at Guelph], I got a different feeling than all the other schools. The campus is beautiful, every Gryphon is super friendly, and it fit academically for me. The team took me in as their own right away, and made me feel at home. I could tell right away that this team would become my family, and that’s exactly what I was looking for.
Bridget Atkinson, a first-year point guard for the Guelph Gryphons women’s basketball team, became the first to win CIS Rookie of the Year honours in the history of the program.
S.C.: What was the hardest thing you had to overcome on the court in your first year?
B.A.: I think in every rookie season, the hardest part is adjusting to the next level of play. The game is much faster and physical at the university level, and even though I had an experience with Team Canada, I still had to go though an adjustment period here.
S.C.: Do you have any regrets in your athletic career?
B.A.: I have zero regrets. I have become the player I am today [thanks to] all my coaches and teammates I’ve had the opportunity to play with since I started basketball [at the age of] seven-years-old. I have learned valuable things from each and every team I’ve been a part of, and I would not change anything about the journey I’ve had so far as a basketball player.
S.C.: Was there anyone specific who played a role in your success this season?
B.A.: A big part of my success this season is to be credited to our head coach Christin Dickenson. She has so much experience as a basketball player herself, [with that] she is able to teach so many aspects of the game. She is focused and has a vision for this team and holds each of us accountable to create that vision. Christin puts me in positions to be successful and pushes me to get to the next level. She is someone I can look up to and has taught me to be a better person both on and off the court.
S.C.: What do you think being a Gryphon means?
B.A.: Being a Gryphon means striving for greatness as a team, and never settling for anything less. Learning from each other’s experience so you can train even harder to make each other better every day. It means going to war with your teammates using pride and passion, and working together as one to achieve the ultimate goal.
S.C.: What advice would you give to student athletes coming into their first season?
B.A.: It’s a long season traveling with the team and missing school. Time management is a skill I wish I had learned before coming into my first year. University is an adjustment regardless, but having good time management will help balance school and sports, and allow you to be more focused when it comes to practices and games.
S.C.: What did being named CIS Rookie of the Year mean to you?
B.A.: It means there is something special happening here at Guelph. Our success as individuals is credited to our hard-work put in as a team. I am honoured to have received this award, but know that it would not be possible if it weren’t for the people I am surrounded by every day.