Gabriella Henry: Not Finished Yet

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – It's been almost 330 days since fifth-year graduate student Gabriella Henry last took the field in a Black and Gold uniform. Little did Henry, and the rest of the Bulldogs, know that their game at Longwood on March 11, 2020, was going to be the last time they would lace up their cleats during the 2020 season.

The Bulldogs kicked off last year's schedule strong with a 4-2 record highlighted by a three-game winning streak just before the team's spring break trip to Virginia to meet with Longwood and VCU. While in Virginia, the team received news about the COVID-19 outbreak and they quickly saw the dominos fall in their direction.

"I vividly remember when I first heard about coronavirus," Henry recalled. "Before spring break there were rumors that we were going to have another week off from school after the break. I personally did not believe that it was going to be this severe. I was set on going home for two weeks and then coming back and finishing out the season."

March 12, 2020, Bryant received news on the cancellation of the spring season.

"Getting told in Virginia on the bus to our practice that our next game was getting canceled and we were going back to RI was not a shock, but it did not feel real," said Henry. "Then on the way back to Bryant getting told again that all these conferences were getting their seasons canceled was getting us anxious. Being a senior, I did not realize how much lacrosse had meant to me and how much of an impact it had on my life. I started to look around and realize, this is my last bus ride, this is my last road trip with 30 plus girls. Did I take it for granted? There were so many thoughts going through my head. It was devasting but then I also realized what was happening in the world and that is when it all became reality."

Henry, along with six other seniors, realized that her college lacrosse career came to a screeching halt. As uncertainty filled the air around the world, Henry found herself with a decision to make; to hang up the cleats for good, or finish what she started and come back for a fifth season. A decision that the then senior never thought she would have to make.

"The decision to come back was not a definite yes or no for me. I was focusing on my career when I heard the season was canceled and how I needed to figure out my life and my career. With the pandemic, obviously, that was not easy. I had interviews at the beginning of the year and thought that I would have a job offer and did not think about a fifth year."

For many senior student-athletes, the daunting question of "what's next" is inevitable. With the support of both her family and her team, Henry realized how much she meant to the program and even more importantly, what the program meant to her.

"Being on this team for four years was having a home away from home, having a big family full of sisters, mothers, fathers, grandparents, other siblings, pets, coaches, mentor you name it."

"Coach Lewis, always said to me that I was still her player, and I always brushed it off and said who knows. She was very consistent and having the end of the year meeting with the coaches I saw how much I was appreciated and that is when I really thought maybe the fifth year is where my path is taking me next."

However, the adversity that Henry would face didn't stop after she made her decision to return to Smithfield. The 2020-21 school year brought challenges that no student-athlete has ever tackled before, like wearing masks during practices and lifts, waiting weeks before picking up a lacrosse stick, and the uncertainty of even having a spring season.

"…this is where we grew as a team in finding the positives in the every day whether it was during our running, lifting, team zooms, etc. Wearing masks when running and lifting was something we had to adapt to, like finding ways to be able to breathe through the masks. Our team was fortunate to be able to stay on schedule with moving forward through phases and were able to get to the full contact team practices to work through our systems. Even though this was short-lived it still gave us an opportunity, but also it [showed] if we followed the rules and stayed disciplined, we would be able to get to where we wanted to be. "

With the season just around the corner, February 27 to be exact, Henry and the Bulldogs are ready now more than ever. Eyes are still set on hoisting an NEC trophy at the end of the season, but the biggest priority for Bryant is staying healthy so they can continue to take advantage of every minute that gets to be spent in a Black and Gold uniform.

As for Henry, she wants to leave a legacy of strong work ethic and positivity once her time comes to walk through the Bryant Archway in May.

"I want to be viewed and remembered for my work ethic and my positive energy. I just want to be remembered and be able to know that I have had an impact on the girls that are younger but also the girls that are older than me. Being a captain, I want to be respected, and that the girls want to work hard and show up every day because they know I will be there right beside them. I also want to leave the legacy if you work hard, you will be able to get the opportunity. Being a walk-on, I never knew what my role would be on the team but being a captain and coming back I realized with hard work and dedication, it is possible!"

Henry and the Bulldogs host Army West Point this weekend, Feb. 13 for an exhibition game before jumping into the long-awaited 13-game 2021 season on Feb. 27 against Holy Cross.