Fox Chapel’s Hardiman earns scholarship from WPIAL

By: Marty Stewart
Friday, May 3, 2019 | 5:00 PM

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The road is winding down on the outstanding high school athletic career of Fox Chapel senior Marissa Hardiman. She is going out in style, recently being named one of 10 female recipients of a $1,000 WPIAL scholarship.

“I was very surprised,” she said. “Our athletic director (Mike O’Brien) told me that I was the first student/athlete from Fox Chapel to ever receive the award.”

It was a well-deserved honor as Hardiman has excelled at field hockey and lacrosse, starting on both teams since her freshman year. Last winter, she added indoor track to the mix, running in the 200, 400 and two relays.

In the fall, she will be attending Georgetown, where she was accepted into their College of Foreign Service.

“I haven’t decided on a major yet,” she said, “but the College of Foreign Service only has nine majors, all of which deal with international affairs so it will have something to do with that.”

To those who are familiar with the Hardiman family, the decision was somewhat of a surprise.

“We have a large number of our family who have all attended Notre Dame,” she said. “My dad, both of my brothers, aunts, uncles and my grandfather all went there.

“My decision to go elsewhere wasn’t really that hard. I wanted to make a decision that was I was sure of, and, being the youngest in my family, I wanted to make my own path. I have always liked Georgetown.”

What was a tough decision was giving up varsity sports.

“That choice was really hard,” she said. “I don’t think it has really hit me yet. Once our lacrosse season ends, I’m sure it will hit me, knowing that I won’t be involved in varsity sports. I may choose to play club sports in college. I’m not sure yet.

“Even before I chose a college, I knew that academics was going to be my main priority no matter where I went. After much thought, I realized I would better achieve my goals in college by stepping back from sports. I think I may be the first-ever recipient of the WPIAL scholarship to not pursue sports in college.”

She played on two WPIAL champion field hockey teams, and the lacrosse team was WPIAL runner-up last year.

“It was great fun for four years, and I’m sure I will miss all the great team experiences and friendships.”

Her academic experience speaks for itself. She has a GPA of 4.33 and is a member of National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. She is also very does volunteer work and is involved with her community.

This summer will bring a new experience for Hardiman. For the first time in a very long while, there will be no sports activity, no club team participation and no team practices in the summer.

“I have been involved in sports since I was very young. It will certainly be different this summer,” she said. “I might play at the field with some friends, but, for the most part, it’s going to be a relaxing, sports-free summer.”

Tags: Fox Chapel