Emily Hansen Becomes the First Student-Athlete College Commit for St. Ignatius Chesterton Academy

November 10, 2022

St. Ignatius Chesterton Academy Senior Emily Hansen has made school history, becoming the high school’s first student-athlete to sign a letter of intent to play collegiate athletics. A member of the St. Ignatius Chesterton Academy class of 2023, Emily will play college volleyball and continue her academic career at Lakeland University in Wisconsin. Emily will study athletic training and exercise science, as well as minor in Spanish, at Lakeland.

Surrounded by family, friends, and St. Ignatius supporters, Emily formalized her commitment at a formal letter of intent signing ceremony hosted by the St. Ignatius Athletic Association on November 9 at St. Ignatius.

St. Ignatius Athletic Director Lee VanderSanden and System President Nathan Vande Hey acknowledged Emily both for her athletic skills and accomplishments as well as her leadership and character on the court, in the classroom, in the church, and in the community.

St. Ignatius offers athletics for students from grade 5-12. For the high school level, St. Ignatius currently co-ops with Stockbridge High School for a number of its sports, including volleyball.

Reflecting upon her time at St. Ignatius, Emily encourages other students to be open to what the experience can offer and to invest in their school community which invests so much in its students: “Don’t be discouraged because it is a small school. You can do great things and be great in a small school no matter where you are […] It just matters what you put into your community and how you can give back to it.”

Learn more about St. Ignatius Chesterton Academy here and school athletics here.