Gabby Rosenthal in action on the ice
First-year MA-SLP student and OSU Women's Ice Hockey player, Gabby Rosenthal, provided us a glimpse at what life is like as a graduate student and college athlete. See her responses to our questions below.
How did this hockey season go?
This year's hockey season was a resounding success. I had the pleasure of being part of a phenomenal team and coaching staff, who made every day enjoyable. We had a great season winning the most games in a single season and clinching the Julianne-Bye cup - a first in the program's history. Our success continued into the postseason, where we made it to the national championship game for the second consecutive year, cementing our place as one of the top teams in college hockey and the state of Ohio. While we didn't win in the championship game, we were proud of our accomplishments and the impact we made in the sport.
Do any of the skills you learn in hockey help you in your training as an SLP—or vice versa?
I have developed several transferable skills from my experience playing hockey that have been valuable in my training as an SLP. Some include, problem-solving, attention to detail, leadership, and perseverance. In hockey, I learned how to think quickly and adapt to changing situations, which has proven useful in SLP training when adapting to individual clients' needs and finding solutions to challenging situations. Additionally, hockey taught me the importance of perseverance in the face of setbacks, which has been valuable in addressing difficult cases, building rapport with clients, and achieving personal and professional goals.
Conversely, my training as an SLP has also provided me with skills that can be applied to hockey. Effective communication has been emphasized as a key factor in improving quality of life and establishing clear expectations, feedback, and solutions. I have also learned the importance of working to one's strengths and understanding each individual's unique value in creating effective team success. By leveraging these skills, I am able to approach hockey with a more strategic and collaborative mindset.
How do you manage so many responsibilities?
The support I received from my peers and mentors has been instrumental in successfully managing both academics and hockey. My teammates, friends, and family provided me with a wealth of guidance and encouragement, while the faculty and classmates in my cohort created a supportive environment where I could thrive as a future SLP. Each faculty member and clinical advisor was always available to answer any questions I had and offered valuable tips and advice to help me grow as a clinician. Meanwhile, my classmates were incredibly flexible and supportive in group assignments. We all worked together to prepare for exams and improve our clinical practice.
Although developing a schedule and task list was helpful in keeping me organized, it was the support I received that truly made the difference. Knowing that I had a team of people who believed in me and were rooting for my success gave me the confidence to tackle both my academic and athletic pursuits. Their support was invaluable to my growth as a student and as an athlete, and I am grateful for their unwavering encouragement.
What has been one of your best hockey moments this year? What has been one of your best MA-SLP program moments this year?
One of my favorite moments from the season was the overtime win over Wisconsin at home in a sold-out crowd. There were many of my classmates there cheering and banging on the glass!
One of my favorite moments this year in the program was seeing my client's success from the beginning to end of the semester. Seeing their smile arriving and leaving therapy made my entire year!
