Senior Spotlight: #3 Shelby Foit
10/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
By Kellie Van Maele, MSU Athletic Communication Student Assistant
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Keeping it in the family, redshirt senior Shelby Foit wanted to continue the Foit legacy at Michigan State, which is the main reason she made the 600-mile trip from Phoenix, Maryland to East Lansing. Following in her parents' footsteps, including her mom that rowed at MSU and her dad that played soccer for the Green and White, Foit's college decision was fairly simple.
Although it was all she knew, Foit knew that she wanted to leave the east coast. After high school it was time for her to step out of her comfort zone and into a Green and White uniform.
"At first, recruiting was hard to get here because coaches didn't really come out to the east coast," Foit said. "I actually pursued MSU more and once I came out here and the coaches saw me play, they took an interest in me. I had my unofficial visit and I remember the minute that I met with the coaches and they showed me around, Michigan State was exactly where I wanted to be."
Having family roots in the Rochester, Michigan area also made her decision easier, as she knew she would have a support system during her time on campus. Even though her parents weren't able to make it to many of her games, Foit's aunt, uncle and cousins often frequented the stands at the DeMartin soccer stadium.
Foit's local family played a major role when she first arrived on campus, as the transition from Maryland to Michigan had its ups and downs.
"I was looking at other schools on the east coast like Rutgers and Maryland, but they were too close to home for me. I knew a lot of the girls that were going to those schools and I wanted to venture out, but when I got here it was very difficult. I knew absolutely nobody, but my extended family, but the girls on my team were the ones who helped me get through it all."
Not only did she have to adjust to being so far away from home, she had to adjust to the rigorous schedule of being a student-athlete at a Big Ten university. Majoring in Psychology, Foit understood that the balance was something that would come with practice.
"I have been able to learn to manage my time, and soccer has made it easier to do that. It gives me a set schedule, and I think I would be a lot more off track without it," said Foit.
Now, at the conclusion of her season, she is confident that her time at MSU has prepared her for her future. After she is done at Michigan State, Foit plans to travel back home to Maryland to attend graduate school. She hopes to continue in psychology to ultimately aid underprivileged children in need.
Foit has learned to stay focused and positive in her academics, which translates to her experience with soccer at Michigan State. As an upperclassman this season, she wanted to instill that mindset in the younger girls â€" even when things may not be going their way.
"I may not get many minutes on the field, but I try to stay positive throughout it to show everyone that they will get their chance if they work hard and put in the time," said Foit. "I try to lead through that sense. If people are sad about their minutes from the previous game â€" I want to show them to keep their head up. The girls need you to be positive. Especially the girls on the field â€" they need us to lift them up."
More specifically, Foit has been able to connect with freshmen Madison VanDyke and Lydia Franks. Her main focus with them was trust. If they trusted her as a leader, she would be able to help them succeed on and off of the field.
"Madison [VanDyke] and Lydia [Franks] like to call me their big sister," Foit said. "I've just been really nice to them and showed them the ropes when they first got here. We really connected and they trusted me."
Now nearing the end of her time donning the Green and White, Foit looks back on her experience here as a very special time.
"It has been amazing just to be a part of the athlete community here," said Foit. "I got to put Michigan State on my chest and represent the school that I'm so thankful for. I've got to meet so many people that are passionate about the same things as I am. It's just been a really great experience."
