The 2013 U at Albany Door Opens For Jessica Féquière

First, it was to open a door for herself and make it onto the Champlain College CÉGEP team. Then it was to earn minutes.

And now, the latest door to open for Jessica Féquière (5’10”, F, Champlain, 2013)…her commitment to the University at Albany to play with the Great Danes of the America East Conference, for the Fall of 2013.

“I’m extremely happy for her,” said Champlain College Lady Cavaliers Head Coach, Georges Germanos of his player whom he felt had been flying just under the radar for much of her playing career.

When Germanos was recruiting her to become a Lady Cavalier a few years back, he could see the huge potential this hard worker had that others just didn’t see. And he knew back then that her work ethic would lead to big things.

“In our competitive league,” said Germanos of Féquière’s CÉGEP recruiting, “No one was after her. Nobody believed in this little girl.”

Since then, Féquière has seen a meteoric rise in her game.  And, Germanos has been overwhelmed by how she has been able to translate focus and rigorous training, into positive results in games.

“At 5’9” she’s been dominating the [CÉGEP] league both in rebounding and in scoring percentage. And, it’s that level of seriousness and discipline that she’s taking to the next level. Its what got her recruited I believe. You watch her, day after day she never stops. She’s a work horse. She’s all over the place…rebounding, scoring, she’s been great for us. At the line, from behind the arc….I’m very happy for her. You can’t not be happy for a girl like that.”

The opening of doors through hard work around the gym is also mirrored in several other aspects of Féquière’s day to day life. From working hard in the classroom and keeping up with her studies, to the daily discipline it takes to make long trek from Montreal’s North Shore down to the South Shore, where Champlain is located. Making the most of each of her opportunities, is what makes everyone so proud of what she has been able to accomplish and the opportunity she will now embark on.

“She’s got to travel everyday, an hour and a half minimum just to make it to school”, says Coach Germanos of her daily commute, even for early morning practices. “This level of commitment says it all. This is why we’re more than happy for her.”

During the selection process, she had considered other NCAA D1 offers from Mount St. Mary’s, Robert Morris and Sienna, along with a few CIS schools, many from Quebec. In the end she elected to play in the NCAA and selected Albany in part due to the distance. It was important to have her parent close enough that for home games, they could make a 3 hour trip to watch her play.

Féquière is the second Canadian signee to make the pledge to the play for the Great Danes beginning in 2013. Last month, the University At Albany also signed Brampton, Ontario’s Cassie Edwards (5’11”, G/F, Notre Dame, 2013) to a scholarship.