Dr. Stacey Paukovitz attended Fordham University from 1988 to 1993, and was a member of the women's basketball team. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a BS in premed/biology. She stayed her 5th year after a redshirt freshman season and earned her Master's Degree in Biology/Education. Currently, she is a podiatric surgeon, Board Certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. She has been in practice for 17 years and is currently opening a new, private practice in Manasquan, New Jersey. She is the very proud mother of her two amazing daughters - Brooke (10) and Jordyn (6) and their beloved rescue dog, Champ.
Did you ever think your women's basketball career would lead to a career in medicine?If it wasn't for the great game I love to play I don't think I would of been introduced to the world of medicine. One of the most difficult moments in my playing career came the summer prior to entering Fordham University. I tore my anterior cruciate ligament playing in a AAU tournament and was required to have ACL reconstructive surgery. I entered Fordham in a knee brace, an injured ego, and was looking at a redshirt season as a freshman. The whole process was enlightening to me as I thought my whole world was about to crumble. But through the magic of medicine I was able to work through my injury and go on to a successful playing career as a Lady Ram. That very moment help define what I was meant to do after my time at Fordham. It also helped me understand the psyche of an athlete and not only the need for the physical rehabilitation, but also the emotional repair that is even more critical. It made me stronger and more determined, for sure. And now, being to help an athlete get back to their sport, is a gift that is hard to put in words. I had the opportunity to be a part of the care of a current Lady Ram, Hannah Missry, who is currently recovering from a serious foot injury. Like myself, I know Hannah with return to the courts stronger than ever.
What were you best memories of playing at Fordham?Of course the experience to represent Fordham is at the top of my list as well as winning the Patriot League Championship, and hitting my 1,000 points in college. I am so proud to say I played as a Lady Ram. But, I think my fondest moments and greatest memories come from the amazing relationships I developed during my time at Fordham with my teammates, coaching staff, and student athletes - friendships and bonds that have continued to grow long after I left Fordham that will last a lifetime. I now live at the Jersey Shore, and there is a huge Fordham presence here. Many graduates live in my area and we are all 'Fordham Proud'. I even bump into the Mr. Campbell, the current athletic academic advisor.
The women's team has really come back strong in recent years, what do you think about their success in the Atlantic 10?As a former player you can't be more proud of the direction Coach Gaitley and the women's program has taken. Last year was so exciting to watch the team compete in the NCAA tournament and no matter how many years have passed since wearing that Fordham jersey, you can't help but take pride in being part of the great tradition that has helped build this program to what it has become today. I brought my girls to the ESPN selection show on campus when it was revealed who the Lady Rams would be playing. My girls were 'star-struck' and got the girl's autographs and pictures taken. It is so important to share these moments with my two girls so they can see my past and what I am about. I'm looking forward to many more greats seasons to come.
How did being a student-athlete at Fordham help prepare you for your career afterwards?Being a student-athlete at Fordham was an amazing experience. Most people don't realize the commitment required by a student-athlete at the Division I level, no matter what the sport. I was pre-med, so I seemed to always be in class, in an extra lab, or in the library. The discipline, structure, and leadership required to be successful both on and off the court and in the classroom helped me prepare for the real world and my career in medicine. And more importantly, my role as a mother of two amazing girls. Being a mother, by far, is my greatest accomplishment and what I am most proud of. I can only hope my girls get to have the same experience at some point.
What is it like starting your own practice now?Starting my own practice brings a lot of new challenges and experiences after spending 17 years practicing medicine. You now have to really focus on the business side of things which can be quite foreign to a doctor who spends most of their time dealing with just the medical side of things. It is certainly a different animal but an exciting one, and I'm ready for the new challenges. The chance to finally practice in the area I live in is a dream come true, most of all it gives me a chance to be closer to my girls and spend more time enjoying their personal activities which is most important to me. Setting an example for my daughters and being a good role model is what drives me now. I want them to be proud and I want to teach them that they can do whatever they set their minds to.
How important are athletics with your kids? Any similarities you see in them from when you started playing at their age?Athletics played a huge role in my life, it allowed me to dream, it gave me goals to obtain, and it taught me team work and what it's like to compete each day against the best. This all translates later on in life in the real world. I certainly want to give my girls the same opportunity to have those similar experience no matter what level they get to. Even more important, the relationships and bonds you get to create through athletics builds friendships that teach you amazing life lessons. Both my girls love to compete. Basketball and soccer have been the two sports that they both have gravitated to. I'm fortunate enough to have the opportunity to coach my older daughter in travel basketball and those experiences we have together I will cherish forever. I see a little bit of me in both of them in different ways, but I also realize I want them to play for themselves and find their own love of the game just like I did, no matter what level they compete at.
Have you stayed in touch with your former teammates? Where are some of them now?Absolutely-- that is one of the best things about playing at Fordham. My former teammate and roommate Karen Ganly (now Karen Granovsky) is the godmother of my youngest daughter and remains my best friend. Karen now lives in California and has three beautiful children. She also coaches and we often run things by each other. No matter what we are going through in our lives we can always count on each other and the memories and bond we built during our time at Fordham together to get us through the tough times in life. Sometimes just a simple laugh about an experience we had at Rose Hill can be the perfect medication needed to get through the day! Fortunately, through social media, it is much easier to keep in touch with teammates. What I can tell you, is that every Lady Ram has a successful career, and most are balancing work with family. I am proud of each and every one of them! Also, my brother-in-law is standout, Fordham Hall-of-Famer, Rick Hollawell, who had an outstanding career on the football field as a Fordham Ram. I remain very close to him and his wife, Leah, and my beautiful niece and nephew, Hayden and Grant. I know nothing would make us more proud then to see our kids follow in the Ram tradition!
If you had the time to say something to the student-athletes at Rose Hill today, what would be the advice you would give them?Very simple-- what you do from the age of 18-22 will pave the road you will travel. Fordham offers so many incredible experiences both in the classroom and on the playing field. Don't cheat yourself from having those amazing experiences because it's an institution that will give you ever opportunity to be successful in life no matter whether you ever pick up a ball again long after you leave. Remember life is not a dress rehearsal, you only get one chance at this. Fordham gives you every tool for that success. Like I said, I couldn't be more proud then to say I was a student athlete at Fordham University. And I couldn't have been more excited and proud when asked to participate in this interview. I love Fordham and I love my Lady Rams. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity. Go RAMS!!
