WSU student Allison LaPoint balances professional soccer and earning a doctorate in physical therapy

DETROIT - For as long as she can remember, Wayne State University student Allison LaPoint has defined herself by two things: resilience and determination.

Allison LaPoint finished the 2025 regular season with 46 saves for DCFC, which was fourth most among USL W League goalkeepers.

Those traits helped her backstop Royal Oak Shrine High School to its first-ever state soccer championship in 2019 and power her basketball team to three Catholic League titles. They carried her through a decorated career at Central Michigan University, where she started 60 games as goalkeeper, ranked second all-time in program saves, and earned three All-Academic honors while being nominated for the prestigious Dick Enberg Scholar-Athlete Award.

Her athletic versatility didn't stop with soccer. During the 2023-24 season, LaPoint also appeared in four games for CMU's women's basketball team, proving once again that she thrives on challenge and embraces every opportunity to compete.

Today, those same traits are guiding her toward a new mission. This fall, LaPoint is beginning Wayne State's doctor of physical therapy program while continuing her soccer career with Detroit City Football Club (DCFC).

For LaPoint, the decision to become a Warrior was about more than convenience; it was about opportunity, family and a sense of belonging.

"I had been accepted to multiple PT programs, but when I toured Wayne State, I felt at home," said LaPoint, who in June, was inducted into the Catholic High School League Hall of Fame. "The professors cared immediately. I was emotional and overwhelmed with the decision of which school to choose, so they sat me down and talked it through with me. And being able to stay close to home, save money, and still play for DCFC, it all just clicked."

Allison LaPoint helped Royal Oak Shrine High School to a Division 4 state soccer championship in 2019 and enjoyed a decorated career at Central Michigan University, where she earned three All-Academic honors.

Those professors were Nanette Hannum, assistant professor, and Nora Fritz, director of research and associate professor, both in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Their willingness to listen and guide LaPoint helped solidify her choice to pursue her doctorate at Wayne State.

Wayne State's affordability and community focus were key factors in LaPoint's choice. She initially considered another university but mentors at her longtime job at Michigan Orthopedic Rehab in Royal Oak urged her to reconsider Wayne State.

"They kept reminding me that Wayne State was not only cost-efficient but also had a great program and would allow me to stay close to home," she said. "When I took the tour, I realized they were right."

That sense of fit reflects Wayne State's commitment to expanding opportunity and social mobility by helping students chart a clear, cost-effective path from college to career.

"Allison's story highlights what Wayne State does best," said Dr. Laurie Lauzon Clabo, Wayne State's provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. "We offer students the opportunity to pursue their passion at the highest level while staying rooted in their communities. We are committed to ensuring all students can access world-class education, keep costs manageable, and step confidently into meaningful careers."

For LaPoint, the path to physical therapy is personal. A major concussion during her time at CMU sidelined her for nine months. The experience was frustrating, painful and at times isolating, but it gave her a new perspective.

The path to Wayne State's 3 1/2-year physical therapy program is personal for LaPoint. A major concussion during her time at CMU sidelined her for nine months.

"It was really tough, but I think injuries can be a blessing in disguise," she said. "I learned so much about myself, my teammates and the game. It made me more grateful for every moment I got to play."

That experience deepened her commitment to a career in physical therapy.

"I've been in and out of PT clinics since middle school," she said. "What struck me was how much the therapists cared, not just about my recovery but about me as a person. I want to be that for someone else."

Connection has been a constant in LaPoint's journey. From growing up in Shrine's tight-knit community, to the bonds forged with teammates at CMU, to now representing Detroit City FC in front of passionate fans, she has always found strength in the people around her.

Joining Wayne State is a continuation of that theme. Here, she'll study alongside peers - like friend and classmate Regan Robinson - committed to health sciences, work with faculty invested in her success, and continue to give back through both athletics and future clinical practice.

"It's exciting," LaPoint said. "Soccer will always be part of my life. But right now, I'm ready to make school my priority and Wayne State is the right place to do that."

With her trademark grit and focus, LaPoint is preparing for her biggest save yet: building a career that helps others reclaim their health, confidence and future. Thanks to Wayne State and its partnership with DCFC, she's showing that her journey is not just about defending goals - it's about creating new ones.