Q & A With Rachel Gartner

Rachel Gartner arrived at The Heights in the summer of 2014. It marked her first time she would compete on the basketball court without her twin sister Rebecca by her side. A native of Danbury, Connecticut, Gartner had to adjust not being with her sister while trying to help the BC women's basketball team. Learn more about Eagles guard Rachel Gartner –

Q: Since you have a twin sister, the first question is how was your first year not being with your sister?

A: Having a twin sister by my side my entire life, it was tough to be without her my freshman year. It was hard for me to settle on the idea of having new friends, when no one could and will ever compare to my twin. In addition, I've never been on a basketball team without Rebecca, so that was also something new to me. Playing with each other on the court and field helped us grow and build self-esteem with the other's support. Hence being on a new team without Rebecca affected my confidence a bit. Anyways, on a given day during my first year at BC, Rebecca and I would Facetime at least once, talk on the phone at least three times and constantly text in between these calls. Yet, over time we limited our talking sessions because we both knew it was interrupting our individual experiences at two different colleges. We learned to call/ text each other when needed and not when we were bored.

Q: What drew you to Boston College?

A: I was drawn to Boston College because of the strong academics, great competition, and its location. I've always took my education serious and really wanted to challenge myself in college. Similarly, I'm a very competitive person and chose to push myself to compete in one of the top conferences in the U.S. I'm from Connecticut and wanted to be relatively close to home while also being close to the city. Thus, Boston was the perfect destination.

Q: What's been your favorite memory from your college basketball career?

A: My favorite memory from my college career was playing in the Junkanoo Jam Thanksgiving basketball tournament my sophomore year. The tournament was held in the Bahamas and was a blast to be a part of. Being able to play basketball on a vacation island was an unforgettable experience. I remember waking up early every morning on the beautiful resort we were staying at just to watch the sunrise on the beach, then later on being able to play the sport I love. My teammates and I were also treated to a great feast on Thanksgiving, which was one of my favorite parts of the trip because of my love for food.

Q: As a senior, what are you going to miss about being a member of the team? What part of the experience won't you miss?

A: Being a senior, I'm going to miss my teammates and the interactions we have every day. I also will miss having a set routine, which sounds odd to most but I love having my days planned out rather than doing things randomly. I will not miss the stress of taking classes during season, and being exhausted when going from practice to class.

Q: How have you evolved not only as a player but as a teammate from you're freshman year to now?

A: I believe I've evolved into a better teammate from my freshman year to now going into my senior year. As a freshman, I stayed to myself and did not make a great effort to get close to others on the team. Also, I was hesitant to speak out on the court. Now four years later, while still not being the most outgoing, I do have special relationships with my current teammates and some who have graduated in the past. Over the years, I've made efforts to be more open to others. In addition, on the court I have a loud voice and my concerns are not solely about myself, but about my teammates. I want them to succeed in every drill we do and whatever minutes they get in games, so I let them know that by saying what needs to be said in a positive, motivating way.

Q: Give us your best advice for any incoming freshman at BC or any girl looking to play college sports?

A: Some advice I'd give for any incoming freshman at BC or any girl looking to play college sports is to find your "why" and to stay true to yourself. Why do you want to continue playing this sport at a higher level? Playing a collegiate sport is an incredible experience, but at times it will get difficult and you may feel unmotivated. Asking yourself why will help you stay motivated and keep a positive attitude. I would also advise kids not get lost in college life. College is the time to learn about yourself and figure out your likes and dislikes. It's important to stick to who you are not be someone else.

Q: Where is your favorite spot to hang out on campus?

A: My favorite spot on campus is Hillside Cafe. I love to enjoy my coffee, while also being able to relax or get some school work done.

Q: What other sport would you have loved to play at BC?

A: If I had the chance to play another sport at BC, I'd like to play soccer. I've grown up playing soccer all the way through high school, so it would be fun to get back into after not playing competitively the last couple of years.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: In my free time I like to go into the city and bike/ walk around. I typically enjoy going alone, just to get away from campus and to explore Boston on my own. I also like hanging out with my teammates, you'd think I'd get sick of them but they're all so unique and just make me laugh. In addition, I love to cook/bake healthy meals. I'm very interested in nutrition/ fitness and love experimenting with different foods that taste good and are great for you.

Q: What is your major and what are you plans after graduation?

A: I will be receiving a BS in mathematics at BC. I plan on applying for grad school for either engineering or business. I do not have a specific plan for the future, but I have some ideas as to what I may want to do. I may want to play professionally overseas, specifically in Germany because some of my family is from there. I also would love to live in San Diego someday, and further explore my interest in fitness and nutrition.

Q: Give us two things you will miss about being at Boston College

A: I will miss playing basketball at Boston College, specifically the competition in practice and games. I love seeing progress in myself and BC has allowed me to grow as a player, teammate, and individual over the years that it will be hard to let go of. I will also miss the city of Boston and everything that it offers. Boston is the perfect size, and is such an eventful place. In addition, Bostonians are sport fanatics and have great pride for the city which is awesome.

Players Mentioned

Rachel Gartner

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