At the core of our work is a commitment to helping aspiring athletes navigate the collegiate soccer landscape with clarity and confidence. Our collegiate recruitment advisors play a critical role in aligning each athlete’s ambitions with the right academic and competitive environment to support long-term success.
In this feature, we introduce Bella Hanisch, our newest collegiate recruitment advisor, and explore her perspective on guiding athletes through the recruiting process.
Bella Hanisch is a former Canadian youth international who progressed through Canada Soccer’s high-performance pathway before competing at the NCAA Division I level. After representing Canada at the 2018 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup and earning national team call-ups, she went on to play four years at DePaul University in the Big East before completing her collegiate career with a graduate transfer to Illinois State. Bella leverages her firsthand experience across youth, NCAA, and transfer pathways to guide the next generation of athletes.
What inspired you to become a collegiate advisor?
After deciding to conclude my competitive soccer career, I felt a strong desire to remain closely connected to the sport in a meaningful way. Through my experience coaching youth teams and working as a personal trainer, I realized how impactful proper guidance and mentorship can be during key developmental years.
My own recruiting journey looked very different from what athletes face today. Watching my two younger sisters navigate the modern recruiting landscape—successfully committing to NCAA Division I and U SPORTS programs—allowed me to both share my firsthand experience and deepen my understanding of today’s evolving processes. Additionally, as a former Division I transfer who entered the transfer portal for my graduate year, I have an in-depth understanding of the current recruiting environment from multiple perspectives.
These experiences inspired me to become a collegiate advisor so I can help athletes make informed decisions, advocate for themselves effectively, and ultimately find the best academic and athletic fit for their goals.
What is your history in collegiate sports and/or at the professional level?
I competed at the NCAA Division I level for four years at DePaul University in the Big East Conference from 2020 to 2024, before transferring to Illinois State University for my graduate year. At the youth and national level, I represented Team Ontario and earned call-ups to Canada Soccer youth national team camps, including U15 CONCACAF and the U17 Four Nations Cup in China. As a youth player, I was also invited to train with Liverpool FC’s Youth Academy and to compete as a guest player with top Development Academy (DA) clubs across the United States—experiences that provided valuable international and cross-border exposure. In 2017, I was invited to join Canada Soccer’s Regional Excel (REX) program—now known as the National Development Centre (NDC)—in Toronto during its inaugural years. At age 15, I relocated from Ottawa to Toronto, living with teammates while competing in a full-time high-performance environment until graduating high school.
This pathway led to my selection for the Canadian squad at the 2018 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay, where we placed fourth and made history for Canada. Competing daily at an elite level allowed me to build strong relationships with Division I coaches across North America and develop the ability to perform consistently in high-pressure environments. During my collegiate career, I overcame a significant injury that was initially considered potentially career-ending. Through dedication and resilience, I successfully returned to competition. Upon completing my university career in spring 2025, I had the opportunity to pursue professional playing options; however, I ultimately chose to transition into mentorship, coaching, and collegiate advising to positively impact athletes beyond the field.
What was your recruiting journey as a player like?
My recruiting journey began during a time when college coaches were permitted to initiate contact at a much younger age. As part of the REX program and Canada Soccer’s national stream, I had the opportunity to attend identification camps early and communicate with college coaches across the country.
Despite strong interest, I took a deliberate approach to the process, prioritizing institutions that offered both high-level athletics and strong academic programs. As a result, I committed later than many of my peers, ensuring the decision aligned with my long-term goals.
Later in my collegiate career, I entered the transfer portal for my graduate year, which provided me with valuable insight into how the portal functions and how strategic navigation can significantly impact an athlete’s career. Through this process, I developed lasting relationships with Division I coaches and gained a comprehensive understanding of both traditional recruiting and transfer pathways.
What is one moment of your career that you are proud of?
One of the moments I am most proud of is returning to competition after sustaining a serious injury that doctors initially believed would prevent me from playing again. The recovery process was long and challenging, making my return to the field incredibly rewarding and a testament to perseverance and resilience. Another defining moment was competing against Spain at the 2018 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. Playing against athletes who are now representing some of the world’s top clubs, such as FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, was an unforgettable experience and a highlight of my international career.
What is your process when trying to find a school that fits an athlete?
My approach begins with truly understanding the athlete on a personal level. By identifying their academic goals, athletic aspirations, personal values, and individual needs, I can help guide them toward programs that are both realistic and well-aligned. I work with athletes to identify three to five key priorities that matter most to them, which allows us to narrow down options strategically. My goal is to help athletes find an environment where they can thrive both on the field and in the classroom, ensuring a positive and well-rounded collegiate experience.
What does a day in the life of a collegiate advisor look like?
A typical day involves balancing my full-time role as a financial analyst with my responsibilities as a collegiate advisor. Outside of my regular work hours, I am in constant communication with college coaches, coordinating meetings with athletes and families, and preparing individualized recruiting strategies.
My role also includes researching programs, staying current with recruiting trends, and finding innovative ways to efficiently connect athletes with schools that align with their goals. As a new member of the team, I am especially excited to build relationships with new clients and continue learning how to best support each athlete I work with.
With an extensive background across Canada Soccer’s high-performance pathway, NCAA Division I competition, and the modern transfer landscape, Bella brings a well-rounded and athlete-first perspective to collegiate recruiting. Her experience navigating every stage of the process allows her to provide clear, informed guidance tailored to each athlete’s individual goals.
Athletes and families interested in working with Bella can learn more and get started by connecting with OPSM’s collegiate advising team here.