Kristen Federico: Playing Basketball For the Love of the Game

Basketball has always been in the family for Salem State University women's basketball player and Peabody native Kristen Federico. "Fedda," as her teammates and friends call her, has been playing basketball since she was in the fourth grade.

Her love of basketball started with the inspiration from her sister, Alison Federico, who is four years older and who was also a basketball player.

When Kristen Federico got to high school, she was given the chance to play on the same team as her sister for half of the season. She was a freshman playing at the varsity level alongside her biggest supporter and role model. She said this was the most uplifting and unrealistic feeling she has ever had. She was also recognized as a League All-Star her senior year in high school.

Today, Federico, now a senior at Salem State, is playing as a forward on the women's basketball team at Salem State. However, the journey to play for the Lady Vikings wasn't easy. In fact, she wasn't even recruited, but her love for the game pushed her to keep fighting, so she tried out for the team.

Despite what other recruits thought, she never gave up. Not all people know this, but being a walk-on at the college level is a hard task to accomplish. Most of the players have already secured their positions on the team, so in order to earn a spot that person has to work twice as hard.

Her hard work eventually paid off, which has rewarded her with a full four-year career playing for SSU.

As a sophomore, Federico played in 15 games as center. As a junior, she played in 25 games and started 17 as a center, while scoring 139 points and pulling down 102 rebounds. This was her most successful season as a Lady Viking.

As far as academics is concerned, she is a business administration and marketing major with hopes of working in the fashion industry or becoming a boutique owner. Although she loves fashion and values her education, the game of basketball is what holds a big place in her heart. "If I didn't play basketball, I wouldn't be the person that I am today," Federico said.

What she meant was that basketball has taught her a lot about life because of the situations that someone has to go through. Not everyone is going to be supportive, and get along, but as teammates everyone must overcome those obstacles and work together in order to be successful.

A good example of working together and just having fun for the betterment of team came in high school, when Federico played for the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School women's basketball team.

She said during her senior year she and her three best friends were all captains, and got a chance to play in the North East Conference (NEC). Despite playing together, their team came in second place.

Although they didn't win, she said they all had fun and that's what mattered most.

The captain or the best player on the team is nothing without their lifeline of having good teammates. There will never be a one man team. It takes a group of people to come together for one similar reason and that's for the love of the game.

Of course, everyone wants to win a championship and say they made it, but at the end of the day everyone is going to remember all the good times, the sacrifices, the things that made them stronger, and most of all the game.

"I've been a basketball player my entire life, and playing with people like Federico makes you love the game that much more," said Stephanie Vasquez, a senior at Salem State. "She's one of those people that can keep you smiling even after a loss, or tell you to keep your head up. Basketball needs people like her."

Since Federico is a senior, she said she'll miss playing with everyone, but she'll never forget the experiences, the people, and most of all the game.

As she starts her new life, and begins her career in business as a graduate of SSU, she'll bring with her all of the great memories she had as a Viking.