Whether it was shooting a basketball, catching the ball from the pitcher, or blocking a puck, history teacher Laura Stiles was a big part of FHC athletics in the 1980s. She was All-Conference in softball and garnered multiple All-Conference awards for hockey.
She received multiple offers from impressive universities which eventually led her to commit and play for the University of New Hampshire’s women’s hockey team. She had decided not to commit to the other colleges simply because New Hampshire had the best offer.
“It was pretty amazing,” Stiles said. “I had my first offer from Northeastern University, which is over in Boston, but then I got another offer from Cornell which is over in New York, and finally, I got my offer from New Hampshire which is where I committed.”
Stiles played against boys in high school, and was still All-Conference. But she said playing against college women was another level of competition.
“Women’s college hockey is considerable,” Stiles said. “It’s similar to men’s high school hockey, but now they’re super good, the speed is great, passing is amazing. It’s a different game truly.”
Stiles’ team at New Hampshire won two NCAA titles during her time there.
“Winning an NCAA title is intoxicating, but to win it two times in a row, it’s a completely different feeling,” Stiles said. “It essentially means you’re a part of something bigger than yourself.”
Stiles also played basketball and softball and was all-conference in softball as a catcher and first baseman. She was able to reach regionals her freshman year, and softball gave her something to do in the summer.
“I loved softball,” Stiles said. “It was incredible to get out on the field after hockey season; the smell of the grass truly was incredible to take in and play in. It’s, of course, a big difference compared to hockey since it’s colder.”
Stiles’ basketball career was more about being with her friends. While she was ultra-competitive in hockey and softball, her basketball career was more for conditioning purposes.
“Mainly my friends were my support system,” Stiles said. “They’d come to my hockey games and I would come to their volleyball meets. We were all good at supporting each other.”
As Stiles looks back on her career as an FHC athlete, she is most thankful for her support system.
“My teammates, I’d have to be the most grateful for them,” Stiles said. “If It weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have succeeded as much as I did. Whether this was for softball or hockey, I’m truly grateful for everything they did for me and how much they helped me succeed.”
