While many students have the opportunity to play sports during their time in college, it’s merely a dream that it one day become a career. But for Meagan Big Snake ’11, this dream became a reality only months after graduation.
Former Oswego State women’s ice hockey player Big Snake landed a position as the project coordinator and coach for a new program, Greater Strides Hockey Academy, where Aboriginal Canadian youth get the opportunity to learn to play the sport.
During the day, she works full time as a finance clerk for Greater Strides partner Treaty 7 Management Corp., a nonprofit dedicated to Aboriginal community and economic development in Alberta, Canada.
In the evenings, Big Snake suits up and hits the ice as a coach and project coordinator for the Greater Strides team.
“It’s great to jump on the ice with kids who started off the same way I did,” said Big Snake, a member of the Siksika Nation of Aboriginal Canadians. “They look up to me as a role model. Yes, I went to university, I played hockey, and, yes, you can too.”
After graduation, Big Snake headed home to Alberta and applied for a summer job as a project coordinator with Greater Strides.
“After a four-day summer camp, they hired me full time,” Big Snake said. “They’re so helpful and they really care; it’s a kind-hearted community and corporation.”
Looking back at her four years at Oswego, the public justice major never imagined just how valuable her athletic coaching minor would be.
“I always knew I wanted to keep the game in my life, even if it was coaching,” Big Snake said. “I love coaching, I love playing the game. I didn’t think it was going to turn into a career.”
Big Snake hasn’t completely forgotten about her original major in school, though. One short-term goal she has is earning a master’s degree. Currently, she is looking into criminology at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia.
But for now, Big Snake feels extremely lucky in her position.
“I absolutely love this job, I could work here forever. It’s like a dream job for a hockey player.” l
— Emily Longeretta ’12
You might also like
More from Campus Currents
‘Oz Virtual Village’ Highlights Alumni Special Talents, Interests
'Oz Virtual Village' Highlights Alumni Special Talents, Interests With the dramatic cultural shift stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic last spring, the Development and …
Dolan Scholarship Supports Children of Police, Firefighters
Dolan Scholarship Supports Children of Police, Firefighters For Dan Dolan ’84, establishing a scholarship at SUNY Oswego enabled him to tie together …
New Alumni Business Directory Available
New Alumni Business Directory Available Childhood education major Francine Zolkower Wolf ’71 is owner of the entertainment company ZaZu Productions, which specializes in improv workshops, musical entertainment, …