Summer Spotlight: Shannon Rom, Women's Soccer, Softball and Swimming
Shannon Rom helped kick start the soccer program at St. Joseph's during her freshman year as one of six women who played alongside the men on the first varsity men's soccer team. During that inaugural season as a freshman, she started in all 13 games, one of only four players to start every game and the only woman to do so. As a sophomore, the inaugural varsity season for the women, she helped lead the Lady Bears to the HVWAC title and was an AD3I First Team All-Independent selection. The senior in the fall started in all 39 games she's played in her career and has three goals and three assists. On the softball diamond, Rom has played her last two seasons at second base and outfield, making a career-best 23 starts and driving in a career-high 18 runs this past spring.
About you
I came to St. Joseph's because…
I came to St. Joseph's because I received a presidential scholarship and that meant a lot to my parents since it would help out financially and I would be able to stay home for college. Coach Vadim Chernyakhovsky also called me a few times to convince me that I would help play a role in starting the soccer program, by playing on the men's team freshman year and eventually helping begin a women's team.
Your major…
Psychology
Career goals after graduation…
I hope to attend Brooklyn College's school psychology graduate program, then eventually start working in a middle/high school.
Summer plans…
This summer I have a full time job as a secretary at Franklin K. Lane high school, and I'll be going on vacation to North Carolina with my boyfriend and his family. I also started a softball team with my cousin for the Breezy Point women's league, which some of my fellow Lady Bears have agreed to play on :)
A unique/interesting talent of mine…
I've been Irish step dancing for 10 years for the O'Malley Irish Dance Academy and have competed on teams at the regional and world championships. I'm an assistant teacher for the classes held in Breezy Point.
On being a Lady Bear…
Best moment in a Lady Bears uniform…
Would definitely be when the women's soccer team won our conference championship our first year as a team.
Funniest moment in practice/pre-game with Coach...
Vadim once caught me mimicking his accent...
Pre-game rituals or superstitions…
I always have to put prewrap in my hair before I do anything else to get ready
My pump up song before a game is…
Waka Waka (Spanish version) by Shakira
Favorite road trip so far…
Traveling to Fort Myers, FL this past March with the Lady Bears softball team
My goal(s) for next season is/are to…
Just to put everything I have into every practice and game. I want to have a great senior year athletics wise and really get to enjoy spending the last year I have with all my teammates and coaches. (Not getting injured would be a plus, too!)
On being social media famous…
Twitter or Facebook?
Number of…
Twitter followers: 277 (@shann3717)
Facebook friends: 493
Instagram followers: 561 (@srom17)
The most likes you've received on an Instagram photo and what was the photo of?
123 likes on a flipagram of the progression of my house being rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy
Your favorites…
Favorite sports team(s)…
US Women's National soccer team
Germany Men's national soccer team
NY Mets
NY Rangers
Dallas Cowboys
Favorite professional athlete (past or present) …
Abby Wombach and Bastian Schweinsteiger
Favorite TV show…
The Walking Dead and Dance Moms
Favorite SJC Staff member…
Iris!
Favorite quote/motto…
"Your struggles develop your strengths."
Final thoughts…
Anything you'd like to share with all the fans out there …
I just want to thank my family, friends, and SJC staff in helping me get to where I am today and for giving me the support I needed to get through every road bump along the way. I'm also so thankful for all the opportunities I've been given and the memories I've made at St. Joe's.
Wishing all the Bears and Lady Bears good luck in their upcoming seasons!
Previous Summer Spotlights:
David Louison, Men's Basketball
Anna Carbone, Women's Volleyball and Swimming
Kyle Johnson, Men's Soccer and Tennis
Morgan Summers, Women's Swimming and Softball
Vinny Rossi, Baseball and Men's Soccer
Shannon Rom, Women's Soccer, Softball and Swimming
Our Summer Spotlight feature runs on Mondays and Thursdays. Check back on Thursday, July 31st for our next Spotlight and don't forget to follow our summer Top 10 list every Tuesday!