by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
One of the main challenges a university athlete has is the distance they are from home. Add to the mix of coming from another country to play in the United States. The support needs to outweigh the non-support and it takes someone very special to have the perseverance to stay in school and not go home.
Taylor Tom is a 5’4-1/2” hockey player from Naotkamegwanning First Nation (Whitefish Bay First Nation) of Ontartio. She is also from Kenora, Ontario.
She attends Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont and the team has a 15-4-1 record.
“It’s hard being in a new place,” said Taylor. “It’s even harder when you state what race and ethnicity you identify as when no one really knows what you are other than an ‘Indian’. At first it was so difficult for me not to lash out with anger at that title, but as time has grown on realizing that I can grab the opportunity of being able to educate people who do not know or understand the history of first nation people, means everything to me. Paving a new path for the future generation of aboriginal people is what often fuels me to keep going. Showing the world what our people have to offer and showing the future generations that they are capable of achieving exactly what I have, if not more.”
Native people have tribal core values define who they are in their athletic circles. “I take extreme pride with being aboriginal, especially with being in New England area in the United States,” said Taylor. “I recently started up a club at my school to invite potential Native American students to join and then we are going to open it up to the public to spread more education about the history, teachings, etc. of being aboriginal. I want to educate my fellow classmates since many do not know even what it means to be aboriginal. To me educating others is everything to our people to be understood and heard.”
Taylor addressed the major influences to where she is now: “Dale Bear was my coach both times I competed in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship (NAHC) for Team Manitoba when we won bronze in 2016 and gold in 2017. I hit a low with hockey in 2017, as my original plan of going to the University of British Columbia was no longer an option. Dale reminded me of why I play the sport of hockey, and pushed me that year to be the best I could be on and off the ice and control what I could. Before we travelled to BC for NAHC in 2017, Dale named me the team captain. I felt so humbled to be named the captain, and to help lead my teammates later to gold. I take great pride in who I am, and not only on the ice, but off the ice as your attitude is everything. Later in 2017 after graduation I moved to Boston to play a post-grad year, and I couldn’t have made that decision without Dale’s support. I share such a special relationship with Dale, and he’s been one of my biggest supporters since he first saw me skate.”
“I’ve had the opportunity to coach Taylor at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships for 2 years,” said Dale Bear. “When I first met Taylor I knew I had a special player that would eventually lead our team. Taylor displays all the qualities in a leader and her strong interpersonal skills make her very well liked by everyone. In Taylor’s second year (2017) we chose her to be captain where she led the team to our first gold medal since 2010. Taylor’s teammates know they can rely on her whether it be picking them up for team events, defending them on the ice or just being there to talk with. Taylor always makes sure that her teammates are well taken care of first before she is and will do anything to get her teammates up for a game. Taylor does not look down on anyone, always willing to help others and most importantly works hard at everything she does. These are the qualities that coaches look for in a player that they want leading a team.”
Sarah Zacharias is the current Balmoral Hall Coach (JWHL) and former Division 1 hockey player at Niagara University. “From being my coach at Balmoral Hall in the JWHL from 2014-2017, Sarah become more than a coach to me but one of friends,” said Taylor. “After I graduated, she really didn’t have to be in my life as much as she is. She’s always a text away to talk to me about anything. She never gave up on me and still continues to do everything she can do for me to improve my game. With some of her stern coaching rules at Balmoral Hall, it shaped me to always be aware of how I am not only treating others, but also myself and to be so proud of where you came from- but even more proud of where you are now. She is someone I look up to, and aspire to be just like. Her attitude, her grit, her commitment, and her respectfulness for everyone around her is a positive influence where I am.”
“Taylor moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba at age 15 to pursue her dreams of playing the highest level of hockey possible,” said Sarah. “Her mom, Lori, instilled a work ethic in her daughter that you don’t see often these days. Lori worked three jobs to allow Taylor the opportunity to attend Balmoral Hall School for girls, one of the most prestigious all girls university prep school in Canada. Taylor didn’t take the opportunity lightly. Through all the ups and downs that her three years as a Blazer would entail, Taylor’s attitude and work ethic never once wavered. I had the pleasure of watching Taylor grow into a tremendous leader on our team and in her final year watch her transition from a forward to defence. Again, Taylor met this challenge with a smile on her face and determination to learn this new position and excel and that’s exactly what she did. Taylor was one of our two captains in her grade 12 year, and she helped our team through one of the most difficult seasons off ice with illness and family deaths. Taylor was there for her teammates like you’d hope a Captain would, she constantly put the teams needs above all else, and I know that now almost three years after she’s left us, the impact she’s had on her former teammates is still lasting.”
“My academic accomplishments include consistently being on the honor roll throughout high school and in University now,” said Taylor. “I am studying nursing and aspire to go work in northern reserves in Canada upon graduation in 2022.”
Taylor provides advice to others who are student-athletes aspiring to play at the university level. “Never give up. It’s so easy to think about your end point goal. But your journey to get there is critical. When things don’t go the way you want them to, try again. And if again there’s nothing, find a different way to make the end point goal come true. Believe in yourself. Push yourself everyday to be better in whatever it may be, in the court, the ice, the field, the classroom. Keep working and always remember why you started and never lose your passion for the game. On the days where everything seems tough, let your passion fuel you to keep going.”
“Never give up and always focus on your dreams,” said Taylor. “No matter who doubts you, or the different setbacks you have, keep pushing through. What is meant for you will come.”
Photo Credit: Norwich University Athletics
Taylor Tom’s profile at Norwich University Hockey: https://www.norwichathletics.com/sports/wice/2019-20/bios/tom_taylor_yuz0?view=profile
