June 20, 2018
With the 2018 Penn State women's soccer season slowly approaching, GoPSUsports.com is asking each member of the 2018 signing class a few questions in order to get to know them better. We are starting the series with midfielder Ally Schlegel.
A native of Parker, Colorado, Schlegel attended Benet Chaparral High School and played club soccer for Real Colorado. While at Penn State, Schlegel plans to major in corporate innovation and entrepreneurship.
GoPSU: You have an extensive background with the United States Women's National Team at different age levels, how has that helped shape you as a soccer player?
AS: I think being able to play at the youth national team level means that you have to be a sponge. What I mean by that is you really learn how to soak it all in if you want to succeed. People tell you that success isn't a straight line, it's a marathon not a sprint, and that you have to really work hard for what you get. Camp has taught me to soak it all in and it has shaped me into a more mindful player.
GoPSU: How would your teammates describe you?
AS: I think my teammates would describe me as a someone who talks to everyone on the team and I'd think they'd say that I'm a sarcastic yet positive zen master that says "chill" and "relax" too much during games. I'd really like to think they'd say I'm funny, but that one is up in the air.
GoPSU: You plan to major in corporate innovation and entrepreneurship, why did you pick that major?
AS: I honestly picked corporate innovation and entrepreneurship as my major because I want to start my own business where I sell cabin, right-off-the-ski slope type sweaters out of a renovated school bus. I will not go into much detail because I can't have anyone stealing my idea… But, if that wildly doesn't end up working out then I'm still in a program that's right for me - one that allows me to learn and be creative in a business setting which is natural for me.
GoPSU: When did you know that you were going to attend Penn State?
AS: I was having a hard time picking a school, and I had visited Penn State about a month prior and because I mean that is a big decision at 15. But, one night my soon to be teammate, Kat Asman, wrote me the biggest text on Penn State and after that I had this super crazy dream about Penn State. I woke up the next morning with a great feeling, told my mom I was calling Penn State right then to commit, she freaked out, but I did it anyways and haven't looked back.
GoPSU: What is one thing fans should know about Ally Schlegel?
AS: One thing I would tell fans is that my pink headband has absolutely no meaning. I got them from the Blues Cup when I was about 10 and I liked it so I've worn it ever since. In addition, they should know that there's more than one and that I DO wash them (once a rumor spread that I didn't wash them, but I assure you they are always clean for the most part).