University of North Carolina Athletics
Gab Major, UNC's lone senior, leads the Tar Heels into NCAA play.
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
GoHeels Exclusive: Major Leads The Way For UNC
November 11, 2017 | Field Hockey, Featured Writers
by Pat James
Karen Shelton receives the question often.
No matter where the North Carolina field hockey team travels, at some point Shelton, the head coach, is asked who the seniors on her team are. Each time, she points to Gab Major, who raises her hand as UNC's only one.
Such a role couldn't be more demanding than in this season. With a new facility under construction on campus, the Tar Heels have used a visitors' locker room in Kenan Stadium as their headquarters and bused Durham several times a week for "home" games and practices at Duke's facility.
But amid these challenges, they've received guidance from Major.
"She's always been one who isn't afraid to speak up," Shelton said. "She has an opinion, and it's usually thoughtful and mature. So, she's earned the respect of her teammates, and she's handled this lone senior role extremely well."
Major's leadership skills formed over time. She began playing field hockey in 2003, when her grandmother helped introduce the sport to her and her cousin, Duke back Alyssa Chillano. Their grandmother coached both girls in a YMCA league. During it, Major said she always played up an age division.
"So I had to step up," she said, "and not be timid and say what I wanted to say."
College programs started recruiting Major, who is from Royerford, Pa., by about eighth grade. She visited multiple schools, but either their campuses or locations ruled several out. UNC met all her criteria.
As the Tar Heels compiled a 60-13 record and reached the national championship game twice during her first three seasons, Major played with 17 total seniors. She learned from each of them, unaware at the time how valuable that information would become.
"I had so many different kinds of seniors," she said. "I had quiet seniors and I had seniors who would scream at you. Just getting the taste of all of that and seeing what worked for me and what I think works best for people now has been helpful."
Last year, the Tar Heel roster consisted of 31 players, the most Major has played with at UNC. There are only 24 this season. Thus, Major has made it a priority to instill a family culture among the small group.
"I feel like she's really made an effort to be friends with every other person on the team," said sophomore forward Marissa Creatore, Major's roommate. "And I think it's really changed our team dynamic because in the past, the seniors are kind of their own little clique or group. But this year, it doesn't feel like there's any type of hierarchy on our team.
"Everyone is friends with everyone, and I think that starts with her."
Major has also received help from the juniors on the team. That includes co-captain Ashley Hoffman. Because of them, Major said she often doesn't feel like she's the only senior.
Still, she's the only one on the cusp of graduation. She's the only one currently dealing with the stressful thoughts of what comes next in life. On top that, she's also balancing academics and trying to lead the team in the NCAA Tournament – which the sixth-ranked Tar Heels begin with a first-round game against No. 15 Saint Joseph's at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Charlottesville, Va.
"I don't have somebody directly on the team to talk to (about after college)," Major said. "But everyone is so supportive and helpful, and I have senior friends who aren't on the team … who I can talk to and vent to."
Major, an exercise and sport science major, said she hasn't decided what she'll do after college. A member of the 2016-17 U.S. Under-21 national team and UNC's leader with 13 assists, she still eyes playing field hockey. She's also long considered becoming an emergency room nurse and might attend nursing school.
But no matter her decision, she believes her leadership position, one she has filled seamlessly, could benefit her long term.
"I've never been somebody who wanted to be like the loudest person," Major said. "I was never like that. But I think (this experience) will help me going forward if I am put in another leadership role."
Karen Shelton receives the question often.
No matter where the North Carolina field hockey team travels, at some point Shelton, the head coach, is asked who the seniors on her team are. Each time, she points to Gab Major, who raises her hand as UNC's only one.
Such a role couldn't be more demanding than in this season. With a new facility under construction on campus, the Tar Heels have used a visitors' locker room in Kenan Stadium as their headquarters and bused Durham several times a week for "home" games and practices at Duke's facility.
But amid these challenges, they've received guidance from Major.
"She's always been one who isn't afraid to speak up," Shelton said. "She has an opinion, and it's usually thoughtful and mature. So, she's earned the respect of her teammates, and she's handled this lone senior role extremely well."
Major's leadership skills formed over time. She began playing field hockey in 2003, when her grandmother helped introduce the sport to her and her cousin, Duke back Alyssa Chillano. Their grandmother coached both girls in a YMCA league. During it, Major said she always played up an age division.
"So I had to step up," she said, "and not be timid and say what I wanted to say."
College programs started recruiting Major, who is from Royerford, Pa., by about eighth grade. She visited multiple schools, but either their campuses or locations ruled several out. UNC met all her criteria.
As the Tar Heels compiled a 60-13 record and reached the national championship game twice during her first three seasons, Major played with 17 total seniors. She learned from each of them, unaware at the time how valuable that information would become.
"I had so many different kinds of seniors," she said. "I had quiet seniors and I had seniors who would scream at you. Just getting the taste of all of that and seeing what worked for me and what I think works best for people now has been helpful."
Last year, the Tar Heel roster consisted of 31 players, the most Major has played with at UNC. There are only 24 this season. Thus, Major has made it a priority to instill a family culture among the small group.
"I feel like she's really made an effort to be friends with every other person on the team," said sophomore forward Marissa Creatore, Major's roommate. "And I think it's really changed our team dynamic because in the past, the seniors are kind of their own little clique or group. But this year, it doesn't feel like there's any type of hierarchy on our team.
"Everyone is friends with everyone, and I think that starts with her."
Major has also received help from the juniors on the team. That includes co-captain Ashley Hoffman. Because of them, Major said she often doesn't feel like she's the only senior.
Still, she's the only one on the cusp of graduation. She's the only one currently dealing with the stressful thoughts of what comes next in life. On top that, she's also balancing academics and trying to lead the team in the NCAA Tournament – which the sixth-ranked Tar Heels begin with a first-round game against No. 15 Saint Joseph's at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Charlottesville, Va.
"I don't have somebody directly on the team to talk to (about after college)," Major said. "But everyone is so supportive and helpful, and I have senior friends who aren't on the team … who I can talk to and vent to."
Major, an exercise and sport science major, said she hasn't decided what she'll do after college. A member of the 2016-17 U.S. Under-21 national team and UNC's leader with 13 assists, she still eyes playing field hockey. She's also long considered becoming an emergency room nurse and might attend nursing school.
But no matter her decision, she believes her leadership position, one she has filled seamlessly, could benefit her long term.
"I've never been somebody who wanted to be like the loudest person," Major said. "I was never like that. But I think (this experience) will help me going forward if I am put in another leadership role."
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