Riverdale's Alasia Hayes: Why I chose Notre Dame women's basketball

Riverdale senior basketball standout Alasia Hayes signed with Notre Dame Wednesday afternoon. She submitted an essay in her own words to The Daily News Journal on why she chose the Fighting Irish.

First off I want to start off by saying that I am truly grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to go to college and further my basketball and academic career.

The reason I chose Notre Dame was not only just the basketball aspect of it. I wanted to choose a college that fit my personality on the court and also off the court. I felt like change was a big part of my decision.

I’ve lived in Tennessee for so long I just wanted a new chapter in my life to start somewhere other than here. I’ve always been so comfortable and my parents and my siblings are my world, and I don’t know what I would do without them. But I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and experience something that I’ve never experienced before.

I never imagined myself leaving home and being so far away from my family. My sisters (Anastasia, Aislynn, Acacia) and I have always wanted to go college and play basketball together, but of course, I wanted to be different. Honestly, that was the hardest part of it all. My sisters are my best friends and they were so excited and proud of me when I told them that Notre Dame was the place for me.

I went and took an official visit to Notre Dame Sept. 26 and I fell in love with everything on campus. The campus was absolutely amazing ... something I’ve never seen before. I love how Notre Dame is so traditional. While I was on campus I just felt the presence of God, and God has such a huge place in my heart, and that was important to me.

I truly just felt like I was at home and there’s no better feeling than that. While I was there I got to spend time with Coach (Muffet) McGraw and the whole entire coaching staff, and I just have so much respect for all of them because this whole recruiting process has been so great.

They made me feel like I was family to them, and I come from such a close family it was so nice to see how big they are on family. Coach McGraw is amazing and I know she is going to push me to be my best and make me a better player, and I’m dedicated to work hard and give my all every time I step on the court.

I decided Notre Dame because it feels like a place where I can start a new chapter of my life and actually enjoy it. It’s the perfect place for me because I will be spending so much time with so many great people, and I can be myself around them. And honestly it really doesn’t get any better than Coach McGraw.