By Jason Alwang
At Western New England University, student-athletes come from many diverse backgrounds. That’s true for sophomore guard Abby Marasco. Marasco is a Criminal Justice major from New Hampshire. Along with her involvement on campus as a peer advisor, a representative of the class council of 2025, and a life skills mentor, she is an athlete for the women’s basketball team here at Western New England University. How did she get to this point?
Marasco played basketball starting at the age of four. Her dad was a coach, and it was from him that she found her love of the game. In kindergarten, her first shot was the very last shot of league play. This moment meant a lot to her. It’s where she found her inspiration for the game. She told her dad, “I win. I win.” From that point on, Marasco always wanted to be a part of a team.
During her junior year of high school, in 2019-2020, Marasco won the varsity coaches award, an award given by the head coach to the player he felt had a good work ethic and who made other players better. As for here at Western New England University, Marasco has received the Iron Bear Award, which is given to those that pass a series of fitness tests. “I’m really looking forward to my next two years here and beyond to see what I can accomplish,” she said.
So why Western New England University?
“When I stepped foot onto this campus the first time, I knew it was for me.” Marasco never looked back on her decision. She has had a wonderful experience here and wants to continue to grow. What does she want to do going forward? “I want to continue playing basketball through WNE, and I’m not sure yet, but potentially become a coach in the future.”
One of the closest connections she has made at WNE is with fellow teammate and sophomore Shay Cooney. Cooney is a health science major from Montgomery, New York. Also a member of class council, a life skills mentor, and part of the SAAC. Cooney spoke highly of her friend and teammate. “Abby has one of the best work ethics I’ve ever seen,” Cooney said. “She is committed to everything she does. Our friendship started from playing basketball. We have a good chemistry, and she pushes me every day.” The connections you make along the way play a vital role in an athlete’s journey, and the connection Marasco has had with Cooney is no different.
Marasco suffered a few injuries along the way. This year, during her preseason, she sprained one of her ankles, and that slowed down her ability to be able to prep for the regular season this year. But that did not stop her. “I didn’t let the injuries get to me or slow me down.” There will always be bumps in the road, but she wasn’t going to let that affect her from doing what she loved.
Speaking of bumps in the road, an athletic path isn’t always smooth. There are times when self-doubt might come in. “At a certain point in my life, I did have the thought of quitting in the back of my mind. I even asked myself, why am I putting myself through this? But I didn’t let it get to me, and the people around me helped me be a stronger person to get through the difficult times.”
Marasco’s career started when she made that first shot, and that’s when she knew she wanted to do this. She always wants to have a good work ethic and “be better than the day before.”
