Photo by NSU Sports Media – Zach Cahill

Hartshorne freshman Ashton Hackler is a member of the Northeastern State University women’s basketball team. She has been playing basketball since 3rd grade and most summers. Her life is basketball, and she says she loves it. So for her, the decision to attend NSU came down to a matter of what you see is really what you get.

“During recruiting in high school, I had several offers. I was looking for a place fairly close to home that had a family-like atmosphere to it and academically a place that had a good science program because I want to go into something medical when I graduate, possibly speech pathology. So when I visited NSU, the coaches and the girls were all very friendly. It gave me that family feel; that we were all in this together and had the same goals. And then when I came to the campus to attend classes it was very nice to see that everything still felt the way it did during my recruiting visit.”

Ashton admits that it’s been an adjustment going from high school to college, but she’s really pleased with the way things are working out.

“There is always something happening on campus that you can be involved in not necessarily sports related. The professors are awesome, and they really work to fit around my athletic schedule. They make everyone feel like family.”

Whether you’re an athlete or not, Ashton says there’s lots of good reasons to attend Northeastern State University.

“At NSU they are very open to fit everyone’s needs. Everybody has an open-door policy where you can go in and talk about classes or just visit. I even met President Turner on a couple of occasions while he was out walking on campus and that’s amazing. NSU has a great family feel and they are willing to help you do whatever you want to do with your life.”

Away from RiverHawks basketball, Ashton has lots of things she does in her spare time.

“I like to hang out with my teammates even if it’s not basketball related. I attend church with my family, take an active part in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and I like to draw. I got started drawing during all the COVID lockdown. It really helps me escape a little bit and is very calming. I’ll draw just about anything but don’t ask me to paint because I’m not a good painter.” laughed Ashton.