Emily Dawidczyk makes it official

Oxford senior signs with Sacred Heart University

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – When Emily Dawidczyk last week signed her letter of intent to attend Sacred Heart University in the fall to major in nursing and play Division 1 soccer, it was a great moment in Oxford High School history.

Dawidczyk has had nothing less than an incredible sports career at Oxford.  She is the all-time leading scorer (88 goals) in school history in soccer and holds several school and league records in track and field. She is quite possibly the greatest athlete in the school’s history and maybe the best girls’ track runner to ever compete in the Southern Worcester County League.

 

There was much speculation on where Dawidczyk would attend college as she was heavily recruited for both soccer and track and field.

In recent weeks, schools including Stanford University, Michigan State University, and St. John’s tried to lure her away from soccer to run track, but she wants to major in Nursing and play soccer and ultimately she chose the highly decorated Sacred Heart.
 

The signing was held in the community room at Oxford High School and was attended by her parents Pat and John, her coaches, Oxford High School Superintendent of Schools Allen Himmelberger, Oxford High School Principal Kevin Wells, and Oxford High School Athletic Director John Doldoorian.

An emotional Dawidczyk said upon signing her letter, “I am a little overwhelmed; it was very surreal, I am excited about going, it’s just been so good here and so rewarding and this clearly it shows it. I am happy and sad at the same time.”
 

Wells sang high praises of the school’s departing senior. “Emily is probably one of the most humble student athletes that I have ever had the privilege of not necessarily coaching, and as you know, I have coached a long time, but to be the principal for and the administrator for. She is a great kid. She has a tremendous amount of confidence; not being successful is not an option as she continues with her education at Sacred Heart.”

Himmelberger also chimed in on the effect Dawidczyk has and will have on the school. “As John Doldoorian, our Athletic Director said, it’s gratifying when we have student athletes who get everything possible out of what we offer in public schools. In this day and age there is a lot of pressure on students to go to private schools, to go to prep schools, to go to other districts; whenever we can celebrate a student who actually stays and finishes their academic and athletic career in Oxford it is a great example for those following. I think that is what makes it so special, and Emily will do very well in the future.”
 

Dawidczyk’s parents, who have been tremendously supportive of their daughter’s long sports career, were equally proud and happy.

“I am very excited for Emily, I think she chose very well, she chose systematically, she knew what she wanted, her search was fantastic,” said her mother Pat. “She took a look at the schools that had great nursing programs, then she looked at location, and then she narrowed it down after she found out if they had soccer or track. She has everything open to her now. I think Sacred Heart is a great choice for her; I am proud of her. She chose wisely.”

“She has worked hard all her life and good things come to good people, you can’t ask for a better daughter, you can’t ask for a better leader, and she will continue to be that in college. I am very proud of her,” said her father John.

While her college is now set, it will be business as usual for Dawidczyk, who will be competing in the indoor track state championships at Reggie Lewis area in Boston in a few weeks, and of course, in what could be a highly memorable final season of outdoor track for Oxford High School in the Spring.

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