The Ravens women’s basketball team were honoured at the Ottawa Sports Awards on Jan. 31 with the Female Team of the Year award.
It was the first time the team won the award, which followed their national championship undefeated season.
Former Carleton Ravens basketball players Catherine Traer and Stephanie Carr came to the ceremonies to accept the award. Last year was Traer and Carr’s final season.
They reflected on their basketball careers as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.
“It really proves that what we did was really meaningful and hopefully it inspires the younger generation,” Traer said.
Carr, from Stittsville, and Traer, from Chelsea, Que., both stayed close to home to play basketball in their university careers.
“There’s a time in school where I kind of second-guessed my decision to stay home because I thought it would be cool to live in a different city, to get a different experience,” Carr said. “Then, it always came back to me loving my city, me loving having my parents here and my community.”
Traer played four years at the University of Ottawa, reaching the national championships twice. She also tore her hip flexor and missed her entire third season.
“In that year, that’s when I really was shocked,” Traer said. “I sat out a whole season and that’s really when I had my crisis. Who am I without basketball? because I wouldn’t even attend practice.”
Traer transferred to Carelton for her masters of political science degree in 2016 and helped the Ravens to two Critelli Cups and their first national title.
Carr, a biomedical engineering graduate, said she contemplated quitting the team at times before sticking it out. She took some time off basketball after leaving Carleton.
“I was defined a lot by school. Not only did basketball end, but school ended,” Carr said. “My whole identity was student-athlete. I studied and I went to practice and once that done, it was very difficult. There was a while where I was completely lost. I wouldn’t say that I’m found now but it’s getting better, it takes time.”
Carr now works in medical sales, spending a lot of time in hospitals. She said she’s “starting to enjoy work” and other activities outside of basketball. Her love for the game, however, remains much of the same.
Traer, who’s also playing women’s league basketball, said she hasn’t officially retired from competitive basketball yet, as the door to play in Europe is “always open.”
Carr, however, has yet to receive the same opportunity.
“There’s no open doors for me,” Carr said. “Obviously, it’s a tough pill to swallow and it’s just important to remember all the good memories and not focus on the fact that you don’t get to do that again.”
Carr and Traer said their fondest memories are about the people and friendships they have met through playing the sport.
“You won’t really remember the games that you’ve won. It’s just the times in the hotel room that you spent with your teammates and the stories . . . That’s what you remember about your career and not the games.” Traer said.
Carr said she still looks forward to interacting with former teammates when she goes to Carleton and U of O basketball games. Her cousin Anne is a player for the Gee-Gees.
Traer said she’s enjoying her government job in global affairs and is looking forward to building a home and staying in Chelsea for the long-term.
“I’m so happy, exactly where I wanted to be and I never thought, at 24, I would be where I am,” Traer said.
“I probably wouldn’t be here without the experiences that I had in basketball because it really kept me on track and I think things happen for a reason and it’s just been amazing… we’ll miss it forever.”
Image provided
