A weekend in a bubble

I spent a weekend in Clinton, New York. Why Clinton? Clinton is home to Hamilton College, where my granddaughter, Eleanor, attends. It was homecoming weekend, and two field hockey games were scheduled one Saturday and one Sunday.

Turns out, this isn't just any field hockey team. Eleanor's team ranks among the top 10 in its conference, and Hamilton is ranked fifth in the initial NCAA Power Index (NPI) rankings, which help determine at-large selections for the NCAA championship.

But the games were only part of the story.

My granddaughter describes her campus as a bubble — an idyllic place where you can forget, at least for a while, the chaos and negativity that seem such a part of our lives.

Clinton is in upstate New York, near Syracuse, and the landscape surrounding Hamilton is a world away from Florida. Rolling hills and valleys provided a spectacular backdrop as the trees put on their annual autumn show. This Florida girl hadn't experienced fall foliage in many years, and it was a treat to see the display.

Hamilton itself is a picture-perfect campus, with tree-lined walkways, stately brick buildings, and scenic views. But the most impressive sight was the students. They seemed comfortable and happy in their surroundings, going about the business of learning, competing, and enjoying college life.

I couldn't help remembering Eleanor as a little girl, always wearing a big bow in her hair. She was very much a girly girl. Fast forward, and that little girl has traded her bow for a field hockey stick. She is all grown up, a talented athlete who worked hard throughout high school to develop her skills. When college recruiting time arrived, she knew she wanted a school with a strong field hockey program. Hamilton was among the campuses she visited, and it quickly became a favorite.

Both grandmothers were on hand for the busy homecoming weekend. Saturday's field hockey game went into overtime, with Hamilton coming away with the win. From there, we headed to a campus football game and a soccer match. Parents, classmates, and friends filled the bleachers, cheering on their teams. There was youthful energy everywhere, and it was contagious.

Sunday brought another field hockey game, this time against the number one team in the NESCAC conference. It was a close, physical contest, with both teams fighting hard. Once again, the game went into overtime. This time, our team lost, with only seconds remaining.

The girls came off the field with their heads held high. Friends and parents were waiting with hugs and words of encouragement. There were no long faces or recriminations, just the recognition that they had played hard and given it their best.

Hamilton has a reputation for academic excellence, and its athletic programs offer another kind of education — one in teamwork, perseverance, and handling both victory and defeat.

There were moments when I imagined what it might be like to turn back time and spend a few days in Eleanor's bubble, growing, learning, and competing on a college campus. Too late for this grandmother, but perfect for my granddaughter.

Dickie Anderson is a freelance writer, community volunteer, and author. She can be reached at dickie.anderson@gmail.com.