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The moment was not lost on Boston College senior Carolyn Swords. Standing in the ESPN studios in Bristol, Conn., with her family, the WNBA draft was nothing less than a dream realized.
“All weekend other players – people I have played with and competed against over the years — kept saying to each other that we couldn’t believe this moment was here, that it was actually happening,” said Swords, who was picked 15th overall by the Chicago Sky.
The selection is the highest ever draft choice of any BC women’s basketball player in a professional draft, and marks the fifth time a BC women’s player has been chosen by a WNBA team.
“I honestly just feel so blessed that I have the opportunity to take my career to the next level,” said Swords, who graduates next month with a degree in communications.
Swords’ career at BC has changed the record books: She is the second all-time leading scorer in BC basketball history (1,978 points), and first all-time leader in rebounding (1,117) and career field goal percentage (67.7); in her final season she led the country in field goal percentage (72.2). She has been a member of the All-ACC First Team from 2009 to 2011.
Swords, who grew up in Sudbury, Mass., said she has heard from excited friends and teammates who are now around scattered across the country but found time to watch TV coverage of the draft. She is thankful for every message and well wish.
“I have had a wonderful experience at BC and am honored to be part of the strong tradition of excellence here. I will miss Conte Forum — the band, the fans, my teammates. I will always be thankful for my time here.”
While at BC, Swords developed an interest in public speaking, critical thinking and doing community outreach and volunteer work, especially with children. She cites the theology class Human Setback: The Unexpected Grace, taught by Director of Campus Ministry Fr. Tony Penna, as among her favorites, and Communication associate professors Ashley Duggan, Donald Fishman and Pamela Lannutti as teachers who have had the biggest influence on her.
“So many of my communications courses were engaging,” she said. “It’s difficult to pick which one among them made the greatest impact. Each one of them changed my perspective and caused me to think about things differently.”
Swords is scheduled to report to Chicago on May 12 and said she views the move with nervous excitement – it will be the furthest she’s ever lived from home.
“But I keep telling myself that it’s really not all that far from home,” she laughs. “I’ve already heard from an old friend in the Chicago area and look forward to experiencing the great BC alumni network that I hear is in Chicago.”