After years of dedicated practice, Syracuse University student-athlete Alyssa Manley has achieved what most young athletes only dream of: becoming an Olympian. This year, Manley is representing the red, white and blue—and the orange—as she competes with the U.S. woman’s national field hockey team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In addition to her commitment as an athlete, Manley also excels as a Falk College student in child and family studies.
Manley started playing field hockey in 2008 and was appointed to the U.S. women’s national team last year. Although the Olympics are her biggest opportunity yet, Manley has already helped the team secure several titles, including a gold medal in the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, as well as bronze in the 2016 Champions Trophy in London, England and 5th place in the 2015 World League Round 3 in Valencia, Spain.
All five of the women’s field hockey matches, as well as the quarterfinals, semifinals and medal rounds, will be broadcast live on NBC’s family of networks.