Bethlehem Catholic senior Emily Sekerak received an unexpected email which ultimately led to her signing a National Letter of Intent on Nov. 11 to play women’s basketball at Chestnut Hill College.

“Coach (Jim) Connolly contacted me this summer to see if I was interested,” Sekerak said.

Connolly was in need of bias, and Sekerak was in need of a future that included playing the game she loves.

“Coach Connolly is kind and welcoming, and we had easy conversation, and that’s important. I didn’t get the same vibe from other colleges and coaches,” said Sekerak. “After my visit, I knew this was where I wanted to go. I wanted to be a Griffin.”

Sekerak met some of the players via Zoom, including Becahi alumna Morgan Orloski.

“She’s had a great experience with the team and the coach. She said it’s important to keep our grades up, but I’m not the type to slack off, so I should be fine,” Sekerak said.

Sekerak is planning to major in communications.

“It’s a small, private, Catholic college, and that’s very important to me. The location is beautiful. I fell in love with the aesthetic and the castle-like vibe,” she said.

Sekerak will not see playing time this year because of an injury sustained during a scrimmage this past summer but will be back on the court in time for her freshman year in college.

“I’ll be starting a new chapter in my life,” Sekerak said, “becoming someone more and new, and doing what I love to do.”