College is a time of growth and opportunity. At the right college, doors open daily, expanding a student’s horizons.

At Wheeling Jesuit University, the mission is to educate students for life, leadership, and service. 1993 graduate Chrissy (Sassaman) Findlay is still getting the most of this mission, which she learned so well.

As a student, Findlay did it all. A criminal justice major and a political science minor, she was able to achieve academically while playing soccer and serving on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Outside of the University, she coached soccer for the Wheeling Soccer Club, worked with at-risk youth at the youth detention center in Wheeling, and did community service.

Findlay went on to become the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Bucknell University, successfully combining her love of soccer with her desire to help people.

“I wasn’t sure what to do with my degree in criminal justice,” said Findlay. “A coaching job opened up, and the idea to have a career in a sport that shaped who I am was a great opportunity.”

She credits Wheeling Jesuit University with molding her into a more competitive, independent and confident person. It was at Wheeling Jesuit where she met her husband, Jim (’96). She also made a number of life-long friends ranging from teammates to coaches to faculty. When she wasn’t at the library, you could find Findlay on “the hill,” at the Ratt, or at Mac’s Club.

Findlay is thankful for the life lessons she learned while attending Wheeling Jesuit and for the wonderful people she met there. She is also very grateful for the impact Fr. Jim O’Brien had on her.

“He opened up my eyes to what a Jesuit education really is.” It was Fr. O’Brien’s compassion, perspectives and ways of communicating that prompted Findlay to ask him to preside over her wedding.

Dr. Larry Driscoll, professor of criminal justice, was instrumental in helping Findlay motivate herself. “I will never forget his critiques of my senior thesis,” she recalls. “’So what?’ he would repeat to me for weeks, maybe months,” egging me on to revise and improve. With Dr. Driscoll’s guidance, she handed in a good final project.

Dr. Driscoll was just as influential in Findlay’s coaching career. “He helped me understand that sticking with soccer could be an avenue for success longer than I thought possible.”

Findlay also cites Wheeling Jesuit University Head Soccer Coach Jim Regan as a great influence. “Jim did a good job of coaching us like men, but treating us like women,” she says. “I think many male coaches out their either treat their female players too gingerly or too harsh. He balanced it.” Findlay is very grateful for his friendship and guidance. “Playing on the women's soccer team disciplined me to always give 100 percent and I learned to carry that over to most areas of my life,” she adds.

In early 2005, Findlay ended an eight-year stint as the head coach of the Bucknell University women’s soccer team and began work as the assistant director of Admissions at Bucknell University. Findlay made the move in order to spend more time with her family. It turned out to be a smart move in her eyes. One week after she stopped coaching, she found out that she was pregnant. When the admissions position opened, it was the perfect opportunity for Findlay to stay at Bucknell in a role that interested her.

Without doubt, the influences and the experiences at Wheeling Jesuit University will continue to shape Chrissy Findlay’s character throughout her life. That’s the reason Findlay finds it important to give back to her University. She does so by making donations and assisting with recruitment.

“If there is a player I see either at camps or at recruiting events that I believe would fit well at Wheeling Jesuit, I contact Coach Hanna,” Findlay says.