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The lifeblood of the University of New 51¶ºÄÌ are the faculty and staff members who dedicate their lives to helping our students reach their goals. Periodically, we’ll introduce you to a member of the staff so you can learn more about him or her – beyond their day-to-day work.

Next up is Alycia Washington, senior assistant director of club sports, operations, and student development at ChargerREC.

Renee Chmiel: Do you have a hobby that you are passionate about?
Alycia Washington: I have been playing rugby for 11 years now, and it is such a huge and rewarding part of my life. I started in college, and I was fortunate enough to get invited to camps and tryouts after my first year. Now, I get to represent the USA, travel, and meet so many great people. It is crazy how it started off as wanting to stay in shape and make new friends in college.

RC: Where did you grow up?
AW: I grew up in Hamden, Conn. Right down the road!

RC: Who is someone you look up to? What do you admire about this person?
AW: I really look up to my parents. They are both successful in their professions and always looking to do more to improve themselves and our family. I believe they instilled a "hustling" mindset, so my brother and I would never be complacent in whatever situation we are in. Always onward and upwards!

RC: You earned your bachelor’s degree at the University of Connecticut. What were you like in college?
AW: My best memories from college were on the rugby field and with my teammates. I also loved the school dining hall and I spent way too much time there.
I was a psychology major, and I enjoyed my classes, but I started to find my passion for sport management when I began working for the Club Sports Office. Essentially, my job was to facilitate fun, and once I found out that I could do this as a career, I knew I wanted to work in recreation.

"My best memories from college were on the rugby field and with my teammates. "Alycia Washington, senior assistant director of club sports, operations, and student development at ChargerREC

RC: What kind of music do you listen to? What is your favorite band/artist?
AW: Tough question! I enjoy Top 40, and my workout playlist is mostly rap and hip hop, but my wife’s taste in music has started to make me appreciate country a little more. I don’t think I have a favorite band or artist, just a few songs that always put me in a good mood.

RC: If you won the lottery, what is the first thing that you would buy?
AW: My dream is to buy a plot of land and turn it into a rugby complex with grass, turf, a clubhouse, and a weight room for all of the rugby teams in the area.