BU’s Female Athlete of the Month is red-shirting the 2016-17 season in the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference due to a medical condition. The adversity has not stopped Schira from pushing her teammates to bring their best on the pitch. Schira is cleared to practice where she displays devotion and mental strength, which inspires those around her.
“When I found out that she got this award I got emotional because she truly deserves it,” said Bobcats’ co-captain Bailee Ploshynsky. “Whether she can play or not, the status of her being a student-athlete and the quality of a student-athlete she is, does not change. I think that has been under the radar and that needs to be shown. Just because you cannot play, it does not mean that you are not talented.”
Schira’s story of overcoming obstacles has helped the Bobcats to a 4-0-2 record, good for second-place in the MCAC standings. BU is coming off a runner-up finish for the league title in 2015 and they are determined to secure the top prize for Schira.
“It is not for her, it is with her,” added Ploshynsky. “Even though she cannot play, she is just a part of this team as anyone else. She has the most heart of any athlete that I have ever worked with.”
Schira was unanimously nominated by her team to receive the recognition of September Athlete of the Month.
