By Dave Johnson
W&M Athletics
 
For Aidan Rossman, time is precious. That's true of any student athlete, especially those at a setting like William & Mary. But she's carrying the added load of playing on a nationally ranked field hockey team while attending law school.
 
It's a challenge, no question. But Rossman has that inner drive to succeed in each, and she's getting plenty of support.
 
"I'm busy a lot, but it's a good kind of busy," said Rossman, who scored two goals in Sunday's win over Central Michigan. "What's helped a lot is that both my law school classmates and my teammates have been amazingly friendly people. 
 
"That makes things easier and a lot less stressful when you're surrounded by good people. I'm genuinely loving the school, so that's all contributing to making the balance of both a lot easier. I'm having a great time and I'm finding a good balance between my studies and athletics and time for myself."
 
Rossman began her academic and field hockey career at American University, where her mother, Abigail, played from 1991-95. In 60 games, 45 of which she started, Rossman had 13 goals and an assist. 
 
Twice, as a junior and senior, she was named the Patriot League's Field Hockey Scholar Athlete of the Year. Last December, after helping lead the Eagles to a 13-4 finish and league championship, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in political science.
 
Law school would be her next chapter, that much Rossman knew. But until the NCAA granted all student athletes an extra year to make up for time lost to the pandemic, she expected her career to end with the '21 season.
 
Instead, she had one more go-round — which she could take in her first year of law school.
 
"Law school was my priority, so I thought I'd enter the portal and see if I could find something where I could do both," Rossman said. "I applied to schools that did have hockey and didn't have hockey, but the goal was to do both if possible. If not, that would be OK."
 
That was right before Christmas, when most of us don't monitor our electronic devices as much. Tribe coach Tess Ellis was on holiday in Australia, her homeland, where it was summer at the time. But she returned a message and, Rossman said, "it was pretty straight forward after that."
 
Rossman had to be accepted to W&M Law School, which her sparkling credentials from American made happen. She's one of three current Tribe athletes enrolled in law school — football player Carl Fowler and gymnast Christian Marsh are the others. 
 
It takes plenty of time management and commitment. It also takes others willing to accommodate. Rossman said the law school was flexible with her class schedule so she would miss only minimal practice time. And whenever she does miss something for her classes, Ellis understands.
 
"It's that willingness to make it happen," Ellis said. "At other schools, it might be like 'Well, if you can't be at practice, how can you help us?' That's not the case here."
 
As for Rossman, balancing her time is something she's become accustomed to.
 
"Honestly, athletics is what helps me with that," she said. "Because I am so passionate about hockey, that also makes me want to put time in school. 
 
"If I want to take the time to have those weekend away trips, I have to make sure I'm on top of my academics. They're good motivators for each other."
 
After playing for a program that went 38-21 and won two Patriot League championships in her four seasons, Rossman is now part of a team that with a 6-3 record is off to its best start since 2012. She's not the only reason it's happening, but she's certainly a big one.
 
In nine games this season, Rossman is second on the team in goals (two), assists (two) and points (six). And she brings more to the team than what shows up on the stat sheet.
 
"She's added the experience of been-there, done-that," Ellis said. "When you get that senior voice, people listen to it. They know she must know what she's talking about because she played at American and had a successful career."
 
Rossman just started her three years of law school, yet she has an idea of what type of law she'd like to practice after getting her J.D.
 
"I have interest in both environmental and international law," she said. "Ideally, if I could combine the two, I really like the idea of working on stuff for climate change or environmental justice."
 
At the very least, Rossman has eight more games remaining in her field hockey career. Of course, the 19^th-ranked Tribe has aspirations that go beyond the regular season. Rossman will enjoy the ride, both on the turf and in the classroom.
 
"I just feel so grateful and lucky to be part of this team and have the opportunity to be going to law school," she said. "I've been so accepted by the teammates and coaches. And my law school classmates are really awesome. They've come to some of my games.
 
"I'm having a great time. And I'm super-grateful this has all worked out."