Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Mia Chupaila, Loyola lacrosse

Mia Chupaila is a recent Loyola Academy graduate who helped lead the Ramblers to a state championship. She was a four-year varsity player (attack, draw) and will continue to compete for Bates College.

1. Do you have have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

I always makes sure I do my physical therapy and make sure my body is feeling good, and then listen to music by myself, and then eventually the whole team is listening. I just try to be loose and with my teammates before games.

2. Why is Bates right for you?

I love the East Coast. My family is all from the East Coast — my dad’s side. I’ll be 30 minutes away from one of my grandparents. I love the team and how close knit everybody is. It’s kind of like Loyola and what’s what I was drawn to most.

3. What is your dream job?

My dream job right now is between a lawyer or working in government. I want to go into law school after Bates. My mom has always told me I’d be a good lawyer. I like to speak my truth. I’ve always been interested in speaking up for people, so maybe law or government. I’m still figuring it out.

4. What is your earliest memory of lacrosse?

I moved to Chicago in second grade. I had been in California and Las Vega and had no idea what lacrosse was. But my dad played in college, so once we moved to Chicago, he was so excited to teach me how to play. But he taught me all these things for boys lacrosse, so I went to the first day of lacrosse and, they were like, ‘This is not right.’

5. What is your favorite part of lacrosse?

I think my favorite thing has always been the people I’ve met. Playing on Team One (club lacrosse), I’ve met some of my best friends who go to New Trier and Loyola with me. At Loyola, everyone is so tight knight. It is so much fun making relationships with people who you wouldn’t have a relationship with if you weren’t on a team.

6. What is your favorite moment on a lacrosse field?

Obviously I would say winning a couple state championships. Other than that, junior year we were playing Upper Arlington and it was a really tight game. We went to overtime. My teammate Emily Couri got hit — she actually ended up with a concussion — and chucked the ball 40 yards down field. It landed by the goal circle, and I went over there and scooped it in like a hockey shot for the win. It was a really cool moment for everyone and myself.

7. If you could play another sport, what would it be?

I never played field hockey at Loyola. I was always interested in it, because a lot of lacrosse girls play it. But I played volleyball my freshman year and then didn’t play a fall sport.

8. If you’re in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

Probably an Alani (energy drink), red cherry slush flavor, and a pack of gum — Extra, the green one.

9. What is your favorite thing to do off the field?

I like to be with my friends all the time. I have a best friend (Nora Burke) and we hang out a lot. I like to be outside, go to the pool and the beach.

10. What is Loyola lacrosse all about?

Loyoal lacrosse is just a family that if you’re not a part of it and haven’t gone through the practices and the harder moments, you don’t really understand. … Coach (John) Dwyer does great job of holding us in line and holding us to certain standards. Loyola lacrosse is an amazing community of parents, coaches, players and learning not only to be successful in lacrosse but in the future, and to live out life as a good person.

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