Collegiate Synchro: Boston University

by Ceci Picard & Kenzie Brouk

Skating doesn’t have to end once high school is over. Now with over 25 programs across the country, there are so many opportunities for skaters to continue their love for skating on a collegiate or open collegiate team while pursuing their academic goals. In this article series, we will be highlighting one of these teams each week to spread awareness of all the amazing open collegiate and collegiate programs that are available. 

Our first team is Boston University’s Collegiate Synchronized Skating team (BUSST). Their Co-Presidents Angelina McNulty (junior) and Johanna Geary (junior) spoke candidly about why skating for Boston University (BU) is so incredibly special. 

What is your favorite thing about BU Synchro Skate?

“How well we’ve bonded as friends and how supported we are of each other with what we accomplish as individuals and as a team”, said Geary.  “We have so many skaters with different backgrounds and different areas of what we’re studying,” said McNulty “but we come together once we step out onto that ice. We’ve made the ice our home at BU.”

What has been your favorite memory with the team so far?

While it was hard to narrow down just one specific memory, Geary said “it was our performance at the 2020 Eastern Sectional Championships and it will always be something that I remember forever. We put in so much work during team boot camp the week before, and our hard work paid off when we earned the bronze medal in the collegiate division.” McNulty recalled a time where she was driving herself and her teammates to a competition in the middle of nowhere Massachusetts, listening to music and enjoying the moment with everyone. Additionally, they both said they cherish the little moments in between, from dance parties in the locker room before competitions with their specific playlist (which you can listen to also if you join BUSST) to doing homework together on the way back to campus. 

If you had one piece of advice for high school students looking to skate in college what would it be?

“If you’re on the fence, just do it,” Geary stated.  She then explained how she thinks a lot of high school skaters are hesitant about the idea due to balancing skating and academics but would advise taking the leap. There’s a lot of people who don’t know what they’re going to do in regards to skating, but she thinks it’s worth a shot to put yourself out there. In the end, she says, you’ll make friends, memories, and it will make your college experience that much more rewarding. 

How do you balance being a student-athlete?

McNulty discussed the importance of time management skills, knowing when the team will be gone for competitions and communicating with professors. It is very important that she plans ahead so she can stay on top of assignments or missed exams.  To excel in her academics, she has to utilize time management and organizational techniques so she can fit in homework assignments and study in between classes or before practices.,“My priority is school, and I get to do skating.” Both Geary and McNulty agree that skating gives them the motivation to get their school work done, so they can also fulfill their commitment to the team. 

Even though the season is unpredictable, the team has big goals to still strive to grow the program. McNulty says, “We came off a strong season last year, so we have a lot of momentum now. We have a lot of skaters coming excited to join the program and continue on the work we have been doing. We’re trying to take advantage of that and maintain our positive environment.” 

Tryout and contact information: 

The team usually holds tryouts in September once classes have started with an on-ice session and a meeting.

• If you’re interested in learning more about BU Synchro Skate you can fill out their prospective skater questionnaire linked here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHAcILOCzng8k419US85WPSZEeiyp66ReIJ6lhoBCqg99jjw/viewform or email the team, at busynchroskate@gmail.com

The organization also offers an Intercollegiate team in which a lot of the synchro team members also participate in. For more information on the figure skating team at Boston University, you can email the head coach, Andrea Mohns-Brillaud, at skatingpro@gmail.com