After a spectacular college career at Notre Dame, Kerri Hanks was confident that she would spend the summer of 2009 scoring goals in Women’s Professional Soccer. What she didn’t expect is that she would be plying her trade in New Jersey for Sky Blue FC.

A week ago, Sky Blue FC made a blockbuster trade with Saint Louis Athletica sending Australian international Sarah Walsh, the rights to Brazilian international Ester, and a conditional draft pick in exchange for Hanks, Brazilian international Francielle, and the rights to Brazilian international Renata Costa.

Arguably the key part of the transaction for Sky Blue FC was the former Fighting Irish standout, who just this year received her second MAC Hermann Trophy Award, the highest honor for an individual player in collegiate soccer.

Hanks, who started six games for Athletica and played in ten overall, received a crash course in the realities of the pro game when news of the deal reached her. As she prepared to travel to New Jersey to take on Sky Blue FC as a Saint Louis player, she instead joined the opposition on arrival.

“The trade was surprising,” admitted Hanks, who tallied a goal and an assist in her time with Saint Louis. “The first day I knew of it was on Friday, and then I was in New Jersey the very next day. I’m still a little shocked, but that’s part of being a pro athlete – it’s a new beginning, I’m over being traded at this point and I’m excited to be here and to help out the team as much as I can. I think this is a great opportunity for me.”

Hanks is as decorated a college athlete as you will ever see. Even on a team that is loaded with former college stars, her resume still stands out. Between Notre Dame, the Big East Conference, and the NCAA itself, she holds a staggering 67 individual records. She was a NSCAA All-American each of her four years with the Irish, only the 23rd NCAA Division I athlete to accomplish such a feat.

Despite all the accolades, even a player with Hanks’ pedigree has had to face an adjustment period at the professional level. Undoubtedly, this includes facing the reality of the recent trade, but she indicates the transition has as much to do with the day-to-day affairs of being involved with a pro club as anything.

“It’s definitely hard,” Hanks said. “Although you do get new players joining the team every year in college, for the most part you’ve been with your teammates for a long time – it’s a sisterhood, there’s a bond between teammates. Transitioning to life as a pro athlete, as a young player emerging from the college ranks, you look up to the veterans on this level. They’ve led me through the transition and showed me what it takes to succeed as a professional. Hopefully I can continue to grow both as a person and a player.”

In addition to earning her second Hermann Trophy for her play this past season, Hanks recently received her second ESPY nomination in the category of "Best Female College Athlete." Hanks was previously nominated after her outstanding 2006-07 campaign with Notre Dame, where she scored 22 goals and added 22 assists, totals that also earned her the first of two Hermann Trophies. Hanks sounded proud when asked about her ESPY nomination, but comprehends that she has much to do still on the professional level.

“It was shocking to hear I had been nominated again,” Hanks said. “That being said, I’m very excited to be a finalist. I’m honored and I feel blessed – I want to thank my teammates at Notre Dame that helped me through that process and allowed me to have the best four years of my life. I understand though that the nomination comes as a result of my performance during my college career at Notre Dame, and that I still have to prove myself as a professional.”

Even though she has only been with Sky Blue FC for a scant few days at this point, Hanks indicated that she is enjoying her time in New Jersey, and looks forward to building on her relationship with Head Coach Kelly Lindsey, who also starred on the collegiate level for the Irish. If, as a professional, Hanks shows the same ability that made her star shine so brightly in college, it won’t be long before she is a regular in Sky Blue FC’s starting eleven.