Turbulence is the new default setting in modern collegiate athletics. The transfer portal swaps athletes around like stocks on Wall Street, conferences are remade, gutted, and rise again like the majestic phoenix from the ashes, and NIL dispenses millions to big names. The new normal isn't limited to the Power Four; it has impacted every level. Bucknell women's basketball forward Elena Houghton has ridden the tides of change. The University among the Susquehanna is her third school. As the old jingle goes, "three is a magic number," and the third time is the charm has proven true for the Bison senior.
A natural athlete, she immediately fell in love with basketball and thrived at the sport. When she wasn't hooping it up, Houghton shined on the diamond, playing baseball until she was 14, long after most girls abandon the sport. She played Little League, travel ball, and even on an all-girls team. Houghton played like Sandy Koufax and handled the hot corner like Pie Traynor.
"I just fell in love with basketball from a young age. I always wanted to compete. All my friends were usually guys and they played basketball. I wanted to play too. My dad was pushing me to play baseball because he played in junior college but basketball was too much to fun."
Houghton started her career at the University of Hartford. The school made national news several years ago with its announcement of dropping down to Division III. What magnified the decision was its timing. Hartford's men's basketball team had just participated in March Madness. The common fan, who reasons decisions are based on athletic success, was stunned. Houghton's story comes with a twist. She knew Hartford was dropping down when she signed her scholarship papers.
"I actually knew they were transitioning. I was recruited fairly late in the process. Just knowing that if I wanted to stay Division I, I would need to have a good season to earn myself a scholarship."
Achieving that good season, she entered the portal and landed at Sam Houston State, a school with the exact opposite trajectory of Hartford. While the Hawks discarded big-time athletics, the Bearcats moved up from FCS to FBS, joining the expansive Conference USA. While granting SHSU its long-coveted FBS access, the move proved exhausting on non-football sports, as the conference stretches from El Paso to Dover. The distance created nonstop air miles for the student-athletes with only one bus trip in the rotation. Houghton liked her time at Sam Houston, and she remained in touch with her coaches and teammates, but the long hours of travel disheartened her academic experience.
"I enjoyed my time out there. I loved the players and coaching staff and remain in contact with them. It was just not a basketball fit. That was fine and I am mature enough to say that. I have incredible love and respect for the program. Most of my classes were online and I wanted to return to the in-person aspect."
Her second dip into the portal landed her in Lewisburg. This time, Houghton found the perfect fit. She instantly intermingled into the mix and has been one of the loudest Bison on the bench. Her vocal expressions rebounded around Sojka. Her minutes in 2024-25 were limited but always impactful. A disciplined player with a high basketball IQ, she substituted for Patriot League Player of the Year and All-Defensive Ashley Sofilkanich without any defensive dropoff. Sofilkanich's departure and her second year in Coach Trevor Woodruff's system should provide more minutes for Houghton.
"I definitely have a unique story with this being my third team. Bucknell had the perfect balance of academics and athletes. It gave that small school feel like knowing everyone in my classes compared to SHSU."
Coach Woodruff offered this praise about his senior forward:
"Elena has been a great addition to the team, on and off the court. She brings maturity to a youthful group and helps keep a healthy balance of fun while still getting our work done. She is a quick study on the court and excels at communicating with her teammates. In addition, she's a stellar student, earning a perfect 4.0 GPA last semester."
As the sole senior on the roster, Houghton finds herself an icon to the younger players. The 2025-26 Bison will have 12 players, with eight returners. Last year's roster, in comparison, had nine newcomers. She isn't unfamiliar with leadership. Hartford named her captain during her freshman season, recognizing her level head and steadfast composure.
"I have never been on a team that has been closer. Normally, teams fell into tiny cliques, and that is not even on purpose or a negative thing, but there are people you are closer with than others. Last year, I could have hung out any player 1-on-1 and had hours on hours of conversation. That is rare to find and it is a big reason why we did better than our preseason prediction. The new girls have arrived and the chemistry has stayed the same."
Her leadership qualities have been battle-tested and sharpened by every stop. Hartford saw her potential and immediately installed her as captain. There, she learned how to talk and engage with players older than her and have those tough conversations. At Sam Houston State, Houghton entered a system where multiple players were there for four or five seasons. She followed and modeled their servant leadership qualities. During Bucknell's last season, Isabella King served as Bucknell's captain, and her stoic, lead-by-example method demonstrated that a leader doesn't have to be vocal.
"I have had great leadership all three years. I was thrust immediately into leadership at Hartford. Kaylee Jefferson at Sam Houston taught me about leadership. Whatever you needed her to do, she did. She was a great glue gal, got buckets, was the first in line for every rep, helped out teammates, showed patience, etc. I tried to model my leadership after her. Bella last year assisted me in learning the system."
Several coaches have worked with Houghton's post-game during her two years. Coach Sherill Baker recently departed for George Washington, but she played a large role in Houghton's development. Coach Shelby Case returns for her second season, and her playing career has provided Houghton with tips and insight. Newly hired Danielle Patterson has begun work with Houghton and raves about her pupil:
"Elena shows up with intensity and purpose every practice. There is no doubt that she has the "want-to" approach in workouts needed to continue to improve in different aspects of her post play. Her dedication is consistent and disciplined and- as a Senior she has been exercising her voice to help uplift those around her. Her growth will be exciting to watch this season."
Beyond the court, Bucknell proved the ideal fit with its academic emphasis, the Patriot League is full of bus trips, and nearby to her Washington, D.C. home. When the Bison play at American, she is only ten minutes from her house, granting her family easy access to her games.
Her Washington, D.C., upbringing maneuvered Houghton into a political science major. As the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." But her selection has more to do with a burning desire for justice than following the popular trend.
"Political science is a standard growing up in D.C.! I want to make an impact on the world. The goal is attending law school, ideally for Environmental Law. I want to find a place where I can make an impact. One individual can't vastly change eight billion people but I want to try. Lawyer is a field where I can provide for myself and my future family."
Beyond her aspirations for lawyering, Houghton harbors ambitions of coaching. She helps out with an AAU team, New Level Strong, at the YMCA. Her natural leadership and presence work perfectly with the younger generation, and the kids soak up every bit of knowledge she provides.
"I have gotten to know many of the kids in the area by working with the sixth-grade boys on the AAU team. They were great kids. Seeing them retain information is rewarding. Once, I heard one of the parents explain that his son was showing off a move I taught him in their living room. The boy said, "Look at this move the Bucknell player taught me." It was cool to know that they are interested in learning."
As Houghton enters her final year of competition, she isn't focusing as much on personal goals, but laser-focusing her mind on team accomplishments. The Bison won 17 games last season and upset Colgate in the Quarterfinals before losing a tough fight to Army in the Semifinals. She and the team have the talent to make noise in the parity-filled Patriot League.
"My goals are to be whatever my team needs me to be. I was never a 20-point-per-game scorer even in high school. I don't have any stat goals. I will provide leadership and whatever the team needs. A strong part of my game is my basketball IQ. I am a decent passer, trying to get my teammates involved."
Houghton cited Woodruff in describing the team's goals as "a race to maturity." The Bison are young but determined. However, development comes with growing pains. A wealth of talent has been collected on the Banks of the Susquehanna. As the sole senior, Houghton will play a role in refining those youthful sparks.
"I think we can win the Patriot League. Obviously, that is the pinnacle of the goal. We have some good new players. We return eight players familiar with the system, and we haven't completely rebranded. The goal is winning the conference and returning to the NCAA Tournament."
Most Bucknell seniors are thankful for the University, and Houghton doesn't stray from that sentiment. She offered this statement:
"Bucknell has become one of my homes. I have been to three schools. The Bison accepted me as a junior, and all my sisters that I have met here have become a great family."
Houghton's final season will be present soon, and then she will head out and leave her mark on the world. The 2025-26 year promises to be an exciting campaign, and her post-play will contribute to a successful season. It might have taken her three stops before she found her collegiate place, but she and Bucknell are glad that Houghton never stopped seeking.
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Credits:
Adam Evanko