Gymnastics was my life. For as long as I can remember, it was my passion, my joy, my motivation, my purpose. It was the thing that made me special. It was empirical evidence that not only was I enough – I was the best. Like most highly competitive athletes in all season sports, it was my only sport. I spent …
Diary of an international kid
Receiving an offer to play collegiate basketball in the US, nonetheless at the school where basketball takes on a form of a religious experience, was an incredible moment in my life. From the first time I stepped on campus during my official visit, I felt “at home” – mainly because those around me seemed to have been living and breathing …
Lessons Learned
I really loved my college experience: the people, the atmosphere, the games, and the education. There were ups and downs, good and bad parts, but overall, I loved being a collegiate student-athlete. I can’t honestly say, however, that I would do the same thing again if I could go back. There are so many things I would have done differently …
My coach taught me how not to lead
As a Junior in high school, being recruited to play college basketball was a dream come true. Knowing I would have no financial assistance from family, a tuition-free undergrad, coupled with the opportunity to play for a reputable coach seemed too good to be true. The hours and practice I had spent working on all aspects of my game started …
My journey to forgetting how to play basketball
I was a good basketball player. I write that because it is important to me that I remind myself that I was a good player, and good enough to get attention from over 80 schools. I was fortunate to have 5 D1 full ride offers going into my junior year of high school, one of them being with my dream …
Why I should have rehabbed longer
As a high school student-athlete, I dedicated an immeasurable amount of time to my trade. Not academics, but soccer. Countless hours spent practicing, playing, and watching soccer. While many have professional aspirations of professions ranging from law to medicine, heading into my freshman year in college my sole ambition was to be a professional soccer player. I went into my …
Dear Hockey, Goodbye
Dear Hockey, This is said with a heavy heart, but it is time to say goodbye. No, I won’t be out of your life; I just won’t be around as much anymore. This little kid that dreamt of playing at your highest level is turning the page and moving on to the next chapter of his life, and for the …
Make your elevator pitch more than just your athletic experiences
“You’re writing a thesis!?” “I am.” “Damn, that must suck right now. What are you writing about?” “College sports.” *Laughs*….. “Wait really? You’re actually choosing to write about that. Athletes just can’t be anything else huh?” That exchange started a conversation I had at lunch in the fall of my senior year at Amherst College. I wasn’t that close with …
If I’m Wrong, Don’t Belittle Me. Teach Me.
Let’s take it back to June of my junior year in high school. THE RECRUITING PROCESS. Man! I was set on where I wanted to go, and who I wanted to play for: University X. I originally didn’t really care to play college ball, but then a shift in my game and the way I saw the court opened up …
Confessions from the bench
If you’re a high school basketball player, you probably hope to get a scholarship to your Dream School. You anxiously wait for the brief check-in emails and phone calls from college coaches. You put up your biggest smile to mask your fear when visiting your Dream Team. If someone asks you, “Are you sure you want to do this?” you …
- Page 1 of 2
- 1
- 2
