Alumni Spotlight
Bianca Velasco, Class of 2019
Hello Lion Family,
My name is Bianca Velasco and I played on the LMU Women’s Basketball team from 2015-2019 under Charity Elliott. Although I had a different coaching staff each year, I learned tremendously from all of my assistant coaches and grew not only as a player, but most importantly as an individual. As a freshman, my team ended the season with the record of 13-20. Yet as a senior, we had a winning record of 18-15 and made a post-season appearance in the WNIT where we lost in the first round.
First, let me give you all a little background on who I am. I attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, CA. My sister Andee and I both committed to playing for Charity at LMU just weeks into our Junior year of high school on October 6, 2013. Being the earliest athletes of our class to commit to a university, Andee and I both knew that LMU was the right choice for us. We were drawn to LMU because of the prestigious education, gorgeous campus, and amazing location. And of course, we wanted to play together! My time at LMU was so much more than my time on the court. I not only was a captain my senior year, but I was given the opportunity to speak at the Golf Classic in 2016, was the main speaker at the Women in Athletics event in 2017, and was the only student invited to attend and speak at President Snyder’s retreat for the top executives of the university in 2018. I also proposed and then was the first student-athlete to take over the WCC’s social media for a day.
To me, being a Lion means being bold and fierce. It means attacking every situation head-on, whether it be easy or not. It means always being the bigger person and never compromising on your character. I lived this in my time as a lion on campus, and I still live this in my time as a lion out in the world.
I graduated from the Hilton School of Business with my degree in Business Administration- Entrepreneurship and an emphasis in Business Law. Since my graduation in May 2019, I have been working diligently with my father and two sisters on opening a location for the franchise European Wax Center. It has always been a dream of mine to be a business owner and slowly, but surely, I will get there. Due to COVID 2019, our business plans have been put on hold. We had to push our grand opening date from April 2020, to hopefully February 2021. I love my Lion roots so much, that I insisted our location be close to campus. I am proud to announce that we have successfully secured our location at the Howard Hughes Promenade, HHLA just minutes from campus. I will be running the business myself with my sisters and plan on expanding my entrepreneurial ambitions in the near future.
To all my Lady Lions who are reading this: I am here for you. Whether you know me or not. I am always a call, text, or DM away. I have been there. I have cried, laughed, and bled for my team. I understand the ups and the downs. But most importantly, I conquered them all. You all have the potential to be GREAT. Hold your head high because a Queen can’t do her thing if her crown is slipping. Use your voice to promote and spread positivity. Be there for each other and do not tear each other down. Drama is the root of a losing team. Fight for each other, show each other that you can be a shoulder to lean on. YOU CAN DO THIS. I know this is a crazy, scary time… but hey, at least you’re surrounded by people who will do what it takes to protect you. Including me. So be bold, be fierce, and approach this year head-on, ready to conquer.
Xo,
Bianca Velasco #1
Please follow Bianca on Instagram!
Instagram: biancaraexo
Email: velasco.bi.r@gmail.com
