Dupage Policy Journal

Elena Bechard's journey at Augustana College began unexpectedly with a winning raffle ticket for a set of lacrosse sticks. "My mom went to this raffle for her work," Bechard recalled, "and she won them. She came home and said, 'Okay, this is your sport now, you're gonna try it,' and I kind of just never left."

The Covid-19 pandemic provided Bechard with time to explore her new interest, practicing with friends and joining a local club team. By her senior year in high school, she was determined to play lacrosse in college.

As a junior at Augustana College, Bechard is a triple major in graphic design, business marketing, and management. She exemplifies the opportunities and complexities faced by Division III student-athletes. Augustana's campus left a strong impression on her during her visit, particularly Centennial Hall. She was captivated by the fall scenery.

"They did the tour around campus. It was beautiful in the fall with all the leaves changing. It was gorgeous," Bechard said. "I loved it, and then I fell in love from that moment."

For Bechard, Augustana offered the balance between academics and athletics that might be more challenging at higher divisions. "I feel like the higher you get up in the divisions, the more focused it is on just your sport," she said. "I also came here to get a degree … (and) to prepare myself for the rest of my life."

Initially uncertain about her choice of major, Bechard explored different options before settling on a triple major. The smaller class sizes at Augustana allowed her to develop relationships with her professors. "In these schools, there's 20 to 30 kids in the classroom," she said. "You can build a one-on-one relationship with your professor."

Balancing her academic workload with lacrosse commitments required careful planning. Bechard utilized calendars and schedules to organize her busy life. "I like the go, go, go. I have to go from this thing to this thing, and it makes me feel like I'm doing something good," she said.

Bechard faced a setback when she tore her ACL during her freshman year, which sidelined her for the remainder of the season. "It was pretty tough staying on the sidelines," she said. "Just standing there and watching it was kind of hard."

Determined to continue her lacrosse career, she worked diligently to return to the field, eventually becoming a captain and embracing her leadership role. Since 2023, Bechard has scored 83 goals in 31 career games, noting 22 goals in 10 games this spring.

Her Division III experience has equipped her with valuable leadership and time management skills, preparing her well for life beyond college. "It has definitely better prepared me for the next step of my life, 110%," Bechard stated.