Alumni Story

Catawba provided me with the education I needed, but more than anything, it gave me my people. Erin is my sister, and that group of soccer girls — they’re family too.”

Have you ever heard those stories about meeting your best friend freshman year through a random roommate assignment?

For Rebecca Long (known at Catawba as Becky or BP) and Erin Justice (known at Catawba as Drickey), being paired as freshman roommates at Catawba College marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

The pair first connected via phone call after being semi-randomly selected to be roommates. Since both played on the Catawba Women’s Soccer Team, their coach, Coach Dempsey, preferred players to room together. With nine freshmen on the team needing a roommate, they could’ve been paired with anyone. But they were paired with each other.

Erin fondly recalled their first conversation over the phone. “We often joke about our first phone conversation, especially since we didn’t have cell phones at the time. Many of our teammates had multiple conversations with their roommates over the summer before freshman year, but Becky and I had just one very short exchange.

Becky asked, “Hi, where are you from?”

I replied, “I’m from Virginia. How about you?”

Becky said, “Massachusetts. I have a stereo I can bring; it’s a good one with a tape deck and CD options.”

I responded, “Cool, I have a TV I’m bringing.”

And that was it!”

They first met in person on move-in day. Since they were athletes, they were allowed to move in a few days earlier than other students. They remember the day being hot, the drive being long, and having two sets of overly excited parents who tried to say as many embarrassing things as possible.

Their first couple of weeks on campus were hard, especially for Rebecca. She was incredibly homesick. It was so rough that Erin started making plans to bring in a new teammate to room with her because she was so certain that Rebecca was going to go home.

Fortunately, Becky had a change of heart and began to embrace and enjoy college life. They began to explore the campus and attend all events together. Rebecca said, “We didn’t just share a room—we shared everything: our routines, our goals, and our growing pains. From day one, it felt like we were meant to find each other.”

One of their favorite memories from living together involved Ace Ventura and a bowl of salsa.

Erin said, "I remember it like it was yesterday. We were sitting on my bed, watching Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (one of our favorites) and eating chips and salsa. Becky dipped her chip in the salsa, and as she was bringing it to her mouth, she accidentally dropped some salsa on my bed. She didn't glance down or say a word; she just gently moved the salsa lid over the spilled salsa. What she didn't know was that I was watching her do it! I asked her 'Did you just drop salsa on my bed and cover it with the lid.' Without missing a beat, she simply replied no. When I mentioned that I watched her do it, she looked at me and we both started laughing.”

She added, “It’s those little moments that we still laugh about and that make up our favorite memories. More than once, we got caught up watching a Lifetime movie when we were supposed to be getting ready to go out. Sometimes, we never made it out; we just hung out in the dorm room instead. Often, I would come back from class to find Becky and another friend watching out other favorite movie Pretty Woman. We did everything together, and we were rarely seen apart.”

The bond that began in the small dorm room quickly extended to the soccer field, where they played, laughed, competed, and supported each other alongside a tight-knit group of teammates. “That group of soccer girls became a sisterhood—one that has remained strong long after graduation. Any memory involving those people is truly our favorite,” said Erin.

Sometimes friends grow apart after graduation, but that was never the case for Erin and Rebecca.

“We are as close now as we were in college, maybe even closer, given all of our life experiences,” said Erin.

Although they stopped rooming together after their freshman year, their friendship only deepened.

“Throughout every phase—college, careers, relationships, and personal growth—we have remained each other’s anchors. We have supported one another through triumphs and trials, including earning our doctoral degrees, navigating significant life decisions, mourning the loss of loved ones, and cheering each other on through every challenge,” said Erin.

Even though they have lived in different cities, they always make time for regular visits, never allowing distance to affect their connection. They’ve stood by each other as maid of honor on their wedding days, shared holidays, supported one another through loss and life’s changes, and celebrated every win—big or small—side by side.

"We make each other a priority and refuse to let anything get in the way of our bond. She's my person," Erin said. She often jokes with Rebecca’s husband that she is the "first best friend" and that he will always be the "second best friend!"

Rebecca said, "Our story is more than just a tale of friendship—it’s a legacy of love, loyalty, and the power of showing up for one another, again and again."

Catawba not only brought Erin and Rebecca together as friends, but it also played a key role in preparing each of them for their careers.

“Our experience at Catawba prepared us well for our careers,” said Erin.

She graduated with a BA in Psychology and Sociology, while Rebecca earned a BA in Education. Currently, Rebecca is a principal at a large elementary school in Boston, MA. Erin worked as a school counselor for 14 years and is now a Clinical Mental Health Clinician at a clinic in West Virginia, providing telehealth therapy. She is also a Counselor Educator at the Chicago School's DC Campus. They both went on to earn both their Master's and Doctoral Degrees.

Beyond academics, Catawba taught them the value of perseverance, grit, and the importance of building a reliable team.

“College wasn't always easy, but we learned that by trusting ourselves and relying on each other, we could accomplish anything. We carry that lesson into our lives today. Whenever we feel uncertain, scared, overwhelmed, or frustrated, we look to each other for support,” said Erin.

"I can be honest with Becky in a way I can't be with most other people. There's no judgment. She's seen me at my worst and loves me anyway," she added.

“Catawba provided me with the education I needed, but more than anything, it gave me my people. Erin is my sister, and that group of soccer girls—they’re family too,” Rebecca shared.

Since graduating, both Erin and Rebecca have made significant achievements in their respective careers.

“Overall, I am quite proud of the career I have had so far. I worked as a school counselor for 14 years, collaborating with amazing educators and students. Currently, I am a mental health counselor and a core faculty member in the CMHC program at the Chicago School's DC campus. Additionally, I serve as an adjunct professor for Southern New Hampshire University's CMHC program. I have had the privilege of presenting at several conferences and training sessions, as well as supervising other counselors in training,” said Erin.

One of Erin’s proudest career moments was being named the West Virginia School Counselor of the Year.

“Being a school counselor is often a thankless job, so when someone acknowledges your efforts and says, "I see what you are trying to do and appreciate it," it feels rewarding. Winning the award was especially gratifying because I achieved it while juggling two jobs and attending doctoral school. At that point in my career, I felt overwhelmed and guilty about the time I had to sacrifice with my family for work and studies. Winning the award validated my efforts and demonstrated to my kids that my sacrifices were for a meaningful purpose. I was doing important work. This experience also inspired me to complete my doctorate and mentor the next generation of counselors,” said Erin.

For Rebecca, earning her doctorate degree was a moment that stands out among the rest. “This was a milestone that symbolized years of hard work, perseverance, and personal growth,” she said.

“The journey was anything but straightforward; it was filled with late nights, self-doubt, and sacrifices, but it was also driven by deep passion and unwavering determination. Earning this degree was not merely an academic achievement; it was a testament to resilience and the belief that growth often comes through challenges. It reminded me that dreams are attainable with commitment and heart,” she added.

Erin and Rebecca continue to support each other in both their personal and professional journeys by showing up for one another, whatever the need may be.

Erin said, “Our support for one another is unconditional, whether in personal or professional matters. Since we work in similar career fields, we understand the challenges and stressors that come with being educators in public education. We often commiserate and vent about the pressures we face. We have complete faith in each other, so when one of us is struggling, all it takes is a phone call. We regularly check in on one another and are honest in our opinions, respecting that sometimes the other may not tell us what we want to hear, but rather what we need to hear.”

She continued,” We also lean on a close-knit group of friends we made at Catawba. Even 20 years after graduating, we share life updates, celebrate milestones, and keep each other grounded through group chats, reunions, and spontaneous visits.”

Rebecca added, “Going through our doctoral programs together was surreal. We moved from soccer practices and exam stress at Catawba to dissertation deadlines and professional goals—still encouraging each other just like always.”

If Erin and Rebecca’s time as roommates was a movie, they would title it "Beyond the Game.”

Erin said, “It’s the perfect title because it reflects how our friendship transcended soccer. While the sport brought us together, our bond has lasted well beyond the field—through college, life changes, and everything in between. The title symbolizes that our connection isn't just about teamwork on the field; it's about being each other's support system in life, standing by each other through every challenge and triumph.”

Rebecca couldn’t agree more. She added, “Our friendship has endured long after our soccer days, proving that true friendship encompasses more than just moments spent on the field—it’s about being there for one another through life’s victories and setbacks. Soccer was just the beginning, but our friendship is the real victory.”