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When most people picture a professional soccer player, they imagine grueling training sessions, high stakes matches and a heavy travel schedule. But for Vivianne Bessette, that’s only half her story. Between away games and early morning practices, the Tampa Bay Sun FC defender is also chasing a different kind of goal — earning a graduate degree in exercise science at the ×îÐÂÌìÃÀ´«Ã½.

Every day, after finishing morning training, Bessette runs home, grabs her computer and jumps in the car to get to her evening classes. It's a routine that would exhaust most — but somehow, in the middle of juggling grad school and a pro career, she helped lead her team to a championship in its inaugural season last year.

Growing up in an athletic family, Bessette began playing soccer at the age of nine in her hometown of Quebec, Canada. From the beginning, she could kick the ball far, a skill that grew into her specialty.

At 15, Bessette attended a showcase in Sweden, where a coach from Montverde Academy approached her with an opportunity to play soccer in Florida. There, she won a state championship, earned defensive player of the year and served as a two-time team captain.

After two years at Montverde, she walked on to the USF Women's Soccer team — earning a starting spot as a freshman and began her studies in health science.

"Knowing that I was able to achieve what I did at USF so early on inspired me to pursue becoming a professional soccer player," Bessette said. "Playing four years at a high level helped open the door to opportunities to do just that."

At USF, Bessette quickly became a cornerstone of the Bulls’ back line. A three-time American Athletic Conference honoree, she earned First Team All-Conference recognition in both 2021 and 2022 and landed on the Second Team in 2023. Her standout performances earned her a spot on the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Third Team and a No. 62 ranking on TopDrawerSoccer’s Preseason Top 100 list.

Off the field, she matched her athletic excellence with academic achievement, earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors and graduating magna cum laude. In 2023, Bessette represented Canada at the U20 World Cup in Costa Rica, competing on the international stage as a starter for the Canadian U20 National Team.

"Being able to represent Team Canada for the EU 20s deepened my love for soccer," Bessette said. "It was a glimpse into all the wonderful things that I can accomplish playing this game."

Just as Bessette’s chapter at USF seemed to be closing, a new door opened — one that kept her in Tampa and brought her full circle. She signed with the Tampa Bay Sun, Tampa’s first professional women’s soccer team – reuniting with head coach Denise Schilte-Brown, her former coach at USF. It was a rare chance to keep building their foundation — this time, at the professional level.

Staying in Tampa didn’t just mean continuing her soccer career. It also gave Bessette the chance to chase another long-held goal: earning a master’s degree in exercise science. With the support system she’d built at USF and a deep interest in athletic performance, the decision felt like a natural next step.

"Staying in Tampa was the definitive variable for me to say, 'Ok, I'm going to get my master's,'" Bessette said. "I knew USF had a great exercise science program, so it was the perfect opportunity for me to go back to school and learn more about my profession while competing."

With a concentration in strength and conditioning, Bessette is studying industry-leading performance strategies that she can apply directly in her training sessions and on the soccer field.

"I always want to know how to train better, lift smarter and eat properly," Bessette said. "I see a lot of the stuff I learn in class during our daily team activities."

One of the most significant adjustments Bessette has faced at the professional level is the length of the season. To better understand how to manage the physical demands of a longer campaign, she turned to her graduate studies.

For one of her assignments, she explored periodization training. This strategic approach involves systematically varying training intensity and volume over time to enhance performance, prevent overtraining, and support long-term development.

Bessette's dedication to constant learning and improvement may be part of the reason she was able to play in all 30 matches for the Tampa Bay Sun during their championship run. With 128 clearances, 36 interceptions, 22 tackles won and 21 blocks, she was a key piece to a stout Sun back line, earning a nomination for the USL Second Team Best XI.

"I'm just so grateful for the opportunity to play the game I love," Bessette said. "The league is new as well, so having more opportunities for women to be able to play this sport is amazing."

Tampa Bay Sun FC, one of eight founding clubs in the newly launched USL Super League, is making history in its inaugural season. The team plays in a scenic riverfront stadium along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa, bringing professional women’s soccer to the heart of the city.

The Sun’s roster and staff are deeply rooted in the USF community, featuring a host of former Bulls standouts such as Sydny Nasello, Jordyn Listro, Jackie Simpson and Andrea Hauksdóttir. At the helm is Schilte-Brown, who spent years building the USF women’s soccer program and is now joined by several familiar faces on her staff.

"It's an excellent opportunity for the girls at USF to be able to come to see a professional league just a few minutes from campus. Many of them have already been coming to the games," Bessette said. "I think it's going to be helpful for them to get a glimpse into the professional world."

As Bessette approaches graduation this summer, she’s already preparing for her next challenge — stepping into her final internship with the Tampa Bay Sun’s training staff. It’s a full-circle moment that blends her passion for performance science with her professional playing experience, all within the same organization.

"The opportunity to study women in sports piqued my interest," Bessette said. "Women are underrepresented in sports studies, and that is something that really interests me, especially when female athletes experience more frequent ACL injuries than men."

With her first professional season under her belt and a master's degree on the way, Bessette is still just getting started. She aspires to be part of the senior Canadian national team.

"I'm only 23, so I have a lot of time just to experience everything soccer has to offer," Bessette said. "I couldn't ask for a better way to start my career."

Her future is full of possibilities, but one thing is for sure. Wherever the next chapter leads, Vivianne Bessette is ready.