Igniting Opportunity Through the Love of the Game: Assumption’s Partnership with the BASE

Isabella Sadkowski joined the BASE, a non-profit organization that works to promote the success of student-athletes living in urban areas, in 2022 after her hometown of Watertown’s winter softball league did not have enough members and merged its leagues. A soon-to-be first-generation college student and member of Assumption University’s incoming class of 2028, Isabella recalls the BASE as a transformative experience that has helped get her to where she is today. 

Established in 2013 by Boys and Girls Club of Boston president Robert Lewis, Jr., the BASE offers opportunities for young adults to build a foundation for successful lives through the medium of sport. Beyond athletic training, the BASE also provides its students with academic and personal development resources. 

Assumption was the first higher education institution to partner with the BASE, providing access to an exceptional Catholic liberal arts education to talented and deserving student athletes like Isabella for more than ten years.

“The BASE was the best choice that I ever made,” she said. “It was absolutely amazing. Immediately, the first day, everything clicked; everyone was super supportive and welcoming. I don’t think I’ve ever been that excited to play softball before. It was the most exciting environment. I don’t think I would be where I am today if I didn’t.” 

Along with a renewed sense of love for her sport, Sadkowski experienced great personal development during her time as part of the BASE. 

“The BASE has definitely made me a better player, but they’ve also made me a better person,” said Sadkowski. “They’ve definitely taught me responsibility and accountability and also just how to be supportive of one another. Going into my senior year, I realized that they were definitely one of my biggest support systems, and it’s really taught me how to be a really supportive friend and person in general, on and off the field.” 

“As a first-generation student, I was unsure about the college admissions process, but the BASE definitely helped me. They have a ton of resources to help you, even when you’re a junior; they get you kick-started and ready, making sure you have your list of schools, and they help you with your college essay.”

The BASE also offers high school student athletes assistance with the college application process, including assisting students with filling out important forms such as the Common Application and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), bringing students on college tours and to college fairs, and providing resources to ensure each student athlete is set up for success as they begin their college journeys. 

Through her love for softball and the BASE, Sadkowski was introduced to a new community, where she feels at home: Assumption University. 

“At a career fair was actually how I found out about Assumption,” said Sadkowski. “We have our Urban Classic in the summer, and they held a college and career fair where I met with Assumption, and I said, ‘Oh my gosh, this sounds amazing.’”

Sadkowski then met Rylee Plourde, Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, who has been an integral part of Sadkowski’s journey to Assumption. 

“Rylee was one of the first people I met at Assumption, and she had this great energy,” said Sadkowski. “When I applied, I got so much support from her…if I ever needed anything, if I had any questions, I could email her and she would get back to me quickly. She made the college application process and choosing Assumption so much easier. As a first-generation student, it was a breath of fresh air knowing that I had someone in the college process to really help me get through it.” 

“From the moment that I met Bella at Watertown High School, to welcoming her on campus, I knew that her benevolence was something of a rarity in this world,” said Plourde. “We are extremely grateful she chose to make Assumption her home.”

In her role in undergraduate admissions, Plourde works closely with students from the BASE to ensure a smooth admissions process from start to admittance.

“I recruit students who live in Suffolk County and Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Typically, there are a lot of students who are part of the BASE that fall into those counties,” said Plourde. “I work with students in their school settings. I work closely with Lori Dipina [Chief Program Officer of the BASE] to help students as they go through the college admissions process right from the beginning, providing opportunities to students to come to campus and walking them through their admissions process.” 

Alongside financial support in the form of scholarships, students who come from the BASE are also welcomed by Conway Campbell, Sr., Vice President for Student Success, whose department is responsible for ensuring all  students are receiving the support they need as they transition to college. 

“The partnership is about access and opportunity. I’ve become an on-campus liaison with the students,” said Campbell. “Some of the students are first generation, and it’s important for me to make sure they know they have somebody on campus they can come to. I schedule time with them to make sure they’re adjusting, they’re engaging, and that they have what they need. We want to make sure they do well here and graduate; we’ve given the students the access, and now I want to ensure their success.”

Campbell and Plourde were recently able to meet up with Sadkowski and her grandparents at the BASE’s graduation event, which Plourde stressed as an important aspect of the college process for incoming first years and their families. 

“At the graduation, I had the opportunity to connect Bella’s grandmother, Karen, with Conway, the vessel of this partnership,” said Plourde. “Karen reiterated that by coming to campus, and meeting Assumption personnel, she knew that this would be a place where she could leave her granddaughter, and that is really special.”

Along with Campbell and Plourde, Sadkowski also had the opportunity to connect with Assumption President Greg Weiner when he attended the BASE’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr., College, Career, and Health Fair.

Sadkowski will begin her journey at Assumption in the fall. She plans to major in psychology with a child and adolescent concentration, and to play on the club softball team. 

“Assumption just had something that just no other college had,” said Sadkowski. “It’s just such a great environment. The students were so nice, the professors were so nice…I have only heard good things about Assumption, and it just it seems like such an amazing school, and I’m glad I picked it.” 

“She is a true example of a student who has absorbed so much from the BASE, and I am confident that the extent of all that she has experienced is trivial to the impact she will soon have on the Greyhound community as well,” said Plourde of Sadkowski. “And if I am being completely honest, Bella is likely a student that would have thrived throughout the admissions process without me, but I feel extremely privileged to have gotten to work with such a remarkable family.”