Alex Salim is a redshirt junior on this year's Campbell's women's lacrosse team. Salim and her teammates have accumulated 27 wins since she has been playing since the 2017 season. They qualified for their first finals in the Big South Tournament winning over Winthrop in the semifinals in 2017 and repeated qualifying again in 2018 advancing over Radford. In 2018, the Camels also posted Big South single-game tournament records for goals, points, and draw controls. Individually, Salim recorded 33 saves and finished with a save percentage of .418 at the end of her freshman season. At the Big South Tournament her freshman year she registered 12 saves, earning her an All-Tournament Team honor.
The next fall everything took a sudden turn. On Friday, October 13th (2017) Alex woke up in a hospital having no idea who she was, where she was, or why she was crying. Earlier that day, they were practicing for the last time before heading to Florida when a teammate went to take a shot and hit Salim square in the head. Later, she was diagnosed with just a minor concussion, but simple tasks were even a struggle for her. Salim decided to see a specialist and they found three bulging discs in her neck and a pin size hemorrhage on her left frontal lobe. Right then and there, she feared her lacrosse career might be over, but with her determination and motivation she got back on the field and was better than ever. Salim received Defensive Big South Player of the Week against George Washington in 2020. The goalkeeper from Long Island, New York shares to us her journey through this process and what it is like to be a lacrosse player in this program.
Question: What were some obstacles you faced during recovery and how did you overcome them?
Alex Salim: With the injury that I had faced there was no real answers, but time will do its healing. My recovery had taken so long that once I had been out for over a year with no improvement; new doctors were scared to take on my case and old ones believed that I was going to get better. It was strongly encouraged by professionals that I hang up the cleats. Me being the stubborn person I am, I didn't want to quit because of an injury. I had to believe in myself because no one else did. I had to look at the positives and keep the faith.
Q: How was the team supporting you through all of this?
AS: After every doctor's appointment or treatment session, I'd receive caring messages or calls from my coaches to see how I was doing and how everything went and my teammates would leave nice notes in my locker.
Q: How did it feel to step foot on the field in your first game back? How did you and your teammates respond?
AS: My first game back was about a year and a half after my injury and I remember getting those same nervous jitters I had my freshmen year. My teammates were so supportive cheering me on.
Q: You seem like how know how to always focus on the positive, where do you think that came from? How do you remind yourself to stay positive?
AS: I've always been one to look for the good in the bad. Even when I'm not doing my best I tell myself that things will get better and to only focus on what I can control and keep positive thoughts.
Q: How did you decide you wanted to play goalie? Do you do anything different that sets you apart from other goalies?
AS: I honestly have no idea how or why I became a goalie, I'm a lot smaller than most goalies so I'm able to use my size and speed to get around attackers to help our defense.
Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions? Does your team?
AS: I have to brush my teeth in the locker room and juggle during warmups. Team wise we're always dancing, cheering and getting each other hype.
Q: Who is your biggest role model and why?
AS: Bethany Hamilton, when she lost her arm so many people were asking her if he was ever going to surf again and she knew she would, she proved that life can be hard, and that it is possible to rise above some of the biggest challenges.
Q: Do you have any siblings? Do they play lacrosse?
AS: I have two older sisters and my one sister played at Presbyterian, so we got to play against each other.
Q: Did you play any other sport? How did you decide on lacrosse?
AS: I played volleyball and soccer growing up and I decided to stick with lacrosse mostly because all my friends were playing.
Q: Favorite thing about lacrosse?
AS: The adrenaline rush you get while playing is like no other.
Q: What is something most people don't understand about student athletes?
AS: I think a lot of people forget that we are people too. Student-athletes already have the stress of school, but then when that is mixed with sports and outside factors it can make things much harder to handle.
Q: What are some of your best memories from Campbell Lacrosse?
AS: Beating Winthrop in the Big South semi-final game my freshman year and being named to the All-Tournament Team as a freshman.
Q: Favorite field you played at and why?
AS: Our home turf. Obviously, of all the team memories there and I got to be on the same field and play against my sister for the first time there. Since we're both goalies both of us could never be on the field at the same time.
Q: Besides school and lacrosse, what do you like to do on your down time?
AS: When I'm not playing lacrosse, I love going to the beach with friends and traveling.
Q: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
AS: I have always wanted to go to Egypt.
Q: What are your future plans after lacrosse?
AS: Recently I've been thinking about coaching, but my actual plan is to have a federal job and work with either organized crime or narcotics.
Q: What is your pump-up music or song that you listen to before a game and why?
AS: I only listen to rap before games; it gets me pumped up before going out.
Q: What/ who else do you like to listen to in general?
AS: I love country music. I'm a big Morgan Wallen fan.
Q: Favorite food?
AS: I love cinnamon rolls.
Q: Favorite sport to watch? Do you have any favorite sports teams?
AS: I really like watching boxing, my dad would always be watching, so I got really into it. I like the Islanders. I've gone to a bunch of games with friends so it's something I enjoy.
