Gavin Lissebeck

What is your name? What grade are you currently in academically, if applicable? What year is this for you at this school or what year did you graduate? My name is Gavin Lissebeck, and I’m a sophomore at the University of Dubuque.

Which preparatory school did you attend, and what key factors influenced your decision to enroll at that institution? I attended Bishop’s College School (BCS). I chose BCS because of its strong U16 and U18 hockey programs, its beautiful campus, and its extremely diverse student body.

Please describe a typical day during the competitive season, including your schedule and the balance between training, academics, and other commitments. My day started at 7:00 a.m. I’d have breakfast at 7:30, chapel at 8:00, and class at 8:45. Lunch was around noon, and classes ended at 3:10. After that, I’d head to the rink to skate at 3:35, lift at 4:30, and have dinner at 5:45. After dinner, I’d hang out with friends before “prep time” (study hours) from 7:30 to 9:10. Lights out was around 11:00.

How does your daily routine differ during the off-season? Outline your typical activities, including any training, rest, or personal development efforts. In the off-season, we had ice three times a week. I played on the golf team, so instead of going to the rink, I went to the golf course. We still had monitored workouts through our hockey trainer, which helped maintain fitness.

How did you manage to balance your athletic responsibilities with your academic coursework? Feel free to share specific strategies or resources that were particularly helpful. The school had an academic portal that listed all my assignments and due dates, which helped me stay organized. During my Form 6 and 7 years in the IB program, it was hard to balance everything, but my teachers were understanding and always willing to help me meet deadlines. Staying organized and avoiding procrastination were key.

What are your professional objectives over the next five years, and in what ways has attending a preparatory school contributed to or shaped these goals? I’m double majoring in business and accounting and plan to attend law school for my JD. I also want to pursue an MBA and eventually work in hockey management or as a team executive. Prep school helped me build confidence, communication skills, and professionalism that continue to help me in college.

If you could offer one piece of advice to prospective students considering a similar preparatory program, what would it be and why? Enjoy every second and learn from everything—your successes and failures. Prep school pushes you out of your comfort zone and teaches you how to take risks and grow.