‘It wasn’t very much of a hard choice’

'It wasn't very much of a hard choice'  

Hannah Smith reflects on CBU student-athlete experience 

By Corey LeBlanc  

The three-point shooting prowess of an aspiring nurse with the Cape Breton University (CBU) CAPERS women's basketball program causes plenty of headaches for her opponents. 

Over the past three seasons, Hannah Smith – a 6'0" guard – has established a reputation as one of the most lethal players in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) from beyond the arc. 

Her hardwood journey tipped off as a four-year-old, when she started following in the footsteps of her mother, Susan, who played basketball for the Dalhousie Tigers and Saint Mary's Huskies.  

"She encouraged my brother, Ben, and me to play as many sports as possible growing up," Hannah said of that maternal guidance.   

After splitting time between soccer and basketball as a youngster, the then 10-year-old decided to focus mainly on the court. 

"I just loved the atmosphere," the 21-year-old said, when asked what attracted her to basketball. 

She added, "I was really lucky and fortunate enough to be part of a group of girls that I played with for the whole time – 10 years – with our club program (Bedford Eagles). 

"That was really awesome." 

When she made her first provincial team, which started a five-year run as a mainstay with Basketball Nova Scotia (BNS), the Bedford native began envisioning opportunities to play at a highly-competitive level. 

"I started getting more serious," Hannah remembered.  

She noted how her BNS experiences, which took her and her teammates across the Canada, provided chances "to explore and see a lot of different universities." 

"It was awesome. I realized where you could really go with it, and how serious it can be," Hannah said. 

She added, "I was fortunate enough to play at a higher age level," which pitted her against not only talented players, but also bigger, older and more experienced ones. 

"It was definitely great for me to see those skill sets when I was younger." 

During those years, Hannah also made a name for herself at the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation [now School Sport Nova Scotia] level with her hometown C.P. Allen Cheetahs, a high school program that perennially contends for provincial crowns in Division 1 girls' basketball. 

'We live as a team' 

As for how a Cheetah became a CAPER, Hannah noted that she had "a lot of opportunities to go around and see different schools." 

That included a stop at CBU, which took place during her Grade 12 season. 

"The school itself is amazing," Hannah said, noting how that visit, including her meeting with veteran CAPERS head coach Fabian McKenzie, started to cement her interest in making the Sydney campus her home-away-home. 

And, speaking of home, she recalled how the living arrangements offered at CBU for student-athletes appealed to her. 

"We live as a team," Hannah explained of the apartment-style residences. 

She added, "That was a big thing for me just because I am a pretty big homebody. So, being surrounded by the team the whole time was a great atmosphere for me to be in." 

Plenty of support  

On the academic side, the promise of smaller class sizes caught her attention. 

"You can get to know them [your professors] very well," Hannah said, offering the importance of those close relationships, especially for student-athletes, who are "away a lot." 

It turned out, Hannah added, selecting CBU "wasn't very much of a hard choice." 

When it came to what she brought to the women's basketball program, she noted the "positive outlook" that she contributes to every practice and game. 

"And, I always give it my all in every situation," Hannah added. 

Beyond the arc  

As for her aforementioned three-point shooting ability, that arrow in her quiver became more prominent as she got older. 

"It was kind of my stronger suit, for sure," Hannah offered of how she turned up her focus on that area while in high school. 

She added, "I tried to find as much free time as possible to practice my shooting." 

That skill has certainly been a key to success for her and the team over the past three AUS campaigns. 

"In the grand scheme of things, I think I just fit into the team well," she offered. 

Hannah suggested that the CAPERS are most successful when they "flowed together as a team." 

Change of plans  

Being a part of a team has benefitted Hannah not only on the court, but also in the classroom. 

After majoring in chemistry for two years, while working towards earning a Bachelor of Science degree, she decided to transfer to CBU's nursing program. 

"I love it. I am so happy [I made the change]," Hannah said, noting that she has completed one year and has one remaining. 

Although she always had an eye on a career in healthcare, she didn't consider nursing until recently, when friends her age and older were going into the field. 

"I didn't really realize that the nursing profession could be that big," Hannah noted of the myriad opportunities available for professionals. 

Before deciding to apply to CBU's nursing program, she talked further with family friends and others who have been in nursing for a while. 

"They helped me navigate things, and then I decided that I was going to try it," she said. 

Hannah was accepted and then turned her focus to the new academic path. 

"I was used to pretty compact schedules – being in sciences before – but balancing clinical work placements and then practicing, and then getting my own workouts in, along with getting a good routine with sleeping and eating and stuff, it was a challenge," she explained. 

After a challenging start, as the basketball season and academic year progressed, Hannah said, "I really got a hold of it." 

She added, with a laugh, "When I first started, it was kind of a shock." 

Hannah noted that her CBU coaches were "super helpful" throughout the adjustment period. 

"I was definitely overwhelmed and stressed out, just because I wanted to perform really well academically, but also on the court as well," she said. 

Giving back 

Along with tackling academics and athletics, which combine to create hectic schedules, CBU student-athletes – and Hannah is no exception – try their best to 'give back' to the campus and broader communities. 

"It is so amazing. We get such great turnouts… and the kids are so excited. It is just so nice to be able to take a break from school and your own basketball," Hannah said of being an instructor with CBU basketball camps. 

She added, "We were those kids once." 

Hannah fondly recalled how she "looked up" – literally and figuratively – to the university players who spent their time with her and her friends. 

"It makes you feel so great," she said of sharing her passion for the sport with young players.  

Hannah noted that many of the campers are also familiar faces in the crowd cheering on the CAPERS at Sullivan Fieldhouse, who also seek autographs, photos and a moment or two with players after their games, while offering plenty of encouragement. 

"It is so great," she said of the support they receive not only from them, but also the fans who fill the stands from CBU and all over Cape Breton. 

'Super helpful' 

When asked to don a CBU recruiter's cap, Hannah talked about how students are able "to make connections" with people – such as professors – who will be there for you. 

"To be able to have someone in your corner when you need help [is so important]," she said. 

Having smaller class sizes, for her, make forming those relationships much easier. 

"It is super helpful," Hannah added, noting that doesn't always happen at larger universities. 

She also pointed out the resources available, such as the math and sciences centre. 

"There are centres for everything – I was shocked." 

Hannah added, with a laugh, "I used them every day." 

She reiterated the importance of the variety of living arrangements offered at CBU. 

"If you are social and want to meet more people, you can live in the apartment-styles – like we [CAPERS women's team] live; or, if you are more kept to yourself, there are single rooms," Hannah explained. 

She also praised the atmosphere prospective students will find on the smaller campus. 

"You see everyone constantly. You can walk everywhere," Hannah said. 

Always a CAPER 

She will have more time to enjoy those experiences as she continues her athletic and academic journey at CBU, one that will continue over the summer, when she returns to campus for another semester of study in the nursing program. And, before too long, the start of another training camp with the CAPERS, as they shoot for a return to the AUS playoffs after a one-year absence. 

"I am not quite sure yet," Hannah offered of what's next after she hangs up her CAPER orange and dons a CBU graduation gown. 

That next chapter, at least at this point, will likely begin "back home." 

"And then we will see where that takes me," Hannah added. 

No matter where she ends up on that path, she agreed that she will always be a CAPER. 

"That's for sure." 

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