Nov. 7, 2008

by Ashley Hicks, Media and External Relations Assistant

Center Valley, Pa.- Like many college students, Lafayette senior Maggie Condon spent last summer gaining valuable work experience through an internship. But Condon was not spending her days getting her bosses' coffee or opening their mail; instead, the field hockey star found an internship that allowed her to incorporate what she learns in her economics and business classes with her athletic passion.

Condon spent last summer working as a marketing intern for the National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers, an internship she found through Lafayette Career Services.

"Since it was almost the end of their fiscal year, I helped them work on their marketing plan for the next year and the marketing recap for what they did the past year," she said. "It was a really great experience because I was able to attend all the staff meetings, so I saw how the entire organization worked. I learned a lot about the sports industry," she added.

Condon, a Chicago-area native, first started playing field hockey herself in middle school.

"I started playing in sixth grade," she said. "The middle school I went to started a team, and my mom played in college, so she influenced me to try out and see if I'd like it."

When it came time for Condon to choose a college to attend, she turned to her older brother for help.

"Because my brother went to Lehigh, I was familiar with the Patriot League and its great athletics and academics, and it has a good overall balance between them," she said. "I'm just a fan of the Patriot League, so I looked at Lafayette and a few other schools."

Going to Lafayette proved to be a good fit for Condon. The senior picked up her third consecutive First-Team All-Patriot League honors this week, and is tied for first in the League with 14 goals and is tied for second in points with 33. While Condon is honored to be selected to the All-League team, she acknowledges that the individual accolades are a testament to the hard work of her teammates.

"We all go out and practice hard every day, and that's what makes you a better player," she said. "Playing against people on your team and playing at such a high, competitive level."

Condon said that Patriot League games are always very physical and competitive, and she expects more of the same from all of the teams in this weekend's Patriot League Tournament. Her No. 2 seeded Leopards will face No. 3 seed Bucknell at 1:30 p.m. on Friday in the second semifinal game.

"We've come off a strong win against Colgate, so if we can play our game, then [Friday's game] should go our way," she said. "If we stick to our game plan and play a tough game, because Bucknell is a great team and they come out hard, then we'll do well."

The Patriot League Field Hockey Tournament tips off at 11 a.m. on Friday, when No. 4 seed Colgate takes on No. 1 seed American at the William I. Jacobs Recreational Complex in Washington, D.C. The second semifinal game between No. 3 seed Bucknell and No. 2 seed Lafayette starts at 1:30 p.m. The winners of each of the semifinal games will play for the Patriot League title on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.