By Tom Brusca
Sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day for senior Stonehill hockey captain Eric Scholl.
With a rigorous schedule of practice, games and lifting, finding spare time to unwind can be difficult.
Scholl, born June 5, 1989 said hockey is just another way for him to keep busy. He wears number 17 as a starting defenseman for the Skyhawks.
“Eric has always been a go-getter,” said his mother Sheila, 51.
Scholl, who grew up a Boston Bruins fan, began playing hockey at the age of four. “I learned how to skate before I could even run,” said the now 21 year old from Wilmington.
Scholl said he looked up to his father when it came to sports. “My dad influenced me to play hockey, but I also learned a lot from watching my older brother Will,” Scholl said.
Will, another hockey fanatic also began playing the game at a young age.
“After all the time we used to spend skating around in the street outside our house, being able to watch Eric play hockey at the college level is truly incredible,” said Scholl’s older brother Will, 28.
“I’ve played hockey my entire life, even in the summer. I’ve played in countless tournaments in both the Northeastern Region and parts of Canada… Of course there were points where it got pretty hectic, but I knew I always had the support of family. They even bought a van rather than a car so that we could have more room during our long road trips,” Scholl said.
Hockey played a major influence on Scholl’s decisions to attend both the Tilton School (NH) and Stonehill College. A four year varsity player and two time captain of both teams, Scholl currently starts as a defender for the Stonehill Skyhawks.
Though most of Scholl’s life revolves around hockey, he said it is just a game.
“We have always tried to make it clear to Eric that school comes first. Hockey can only take you so far,” said his mother, Sheila.
Scholl maintains a GPA of 3.2 and majors in Public Administration at Stonehill College. Upon his graduation in May of 2011, he hopes to work in the public sector dealing with issues of policy such as education and other social concerns. Scholl said he believes in the importance of these issues and is eager to contribute.
Scholl enjoys his political science classes most. “I would encourage all students to take at least one political science course before they graduate,” he said.
Scholl said he realizes his need to wind down. “I think there should always be a time to take a step back and just enjoy being in college,” said Scholl.
Scholl, who is a member of Stonehill’s Alcohol Task Force and Student Athlete Advisory Committee, has a great fondness for music. Along with rocking out on the guitar and going to concerts, he also enjoys playing video games and fishing.
Scholl thinks it is healthy to sometimes be able to take a break from hockey. “I think it’s important to have a good balance… Time management is important, but I also know that I can’t always have a set schedule; I realize that sometimes you have to deal with adversity.
Sometimes I may have to sacrifice some sleep, but I can always work in a nap during the day if I need to,” he said.
In his fourth season as head coach of the Skyhawk’s ice hockey team, Gary Hebert seems confident in his captain’s ability. “Scholler leads by example. His actions speak louder than words,” said Hebert.
Scholl is looking forward to his final year as a Skyhawk. “I am very excited about the upcoming season. My college career has gone by very fast and I am excited to make this year the best one yet. I think we have a great group of guys on our team and good leadership from our coaches and seniors. We hope to win the NE 10,” Scholl said.
“Eric always has a smile on his face. He always says he’s going to get it done. When he has the determination to do something, he always pulls through,” said his mom Sheila.
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