Ever since I was able to walk, sports have always been a vital part of my life. Some of the best memories I have grown up is either winning a championship with my basketball team, making it to regionals with my best friend as my doubles partner in tennis, or even just beating my personal record for cross country. My parents encouraged me and my brother to be three-season athletes. From soccer, basketball, tennis, cross country, track, lacrosse, you name it, I probably have played it at least once throughout my 19 years. Sports were such a crucial aspect of my life because they had an impact on the woman I have become to be today. Here are some valuable lessons I've learned on and off the field:
Responsibility
Remember playing recreational league sports? You know, the sports you play before you can actually participate in them at your own school? Every season was a different sport. Not only has those sports taught me (at the time) to be responsible for my belongings, but I was responsible for being a member of that team, and to give it my all, every practice and every game. I was responsible for showing up and contributing as a team member. As I got older, and I began playing sports for my actual school, the responsibilities expected of us were obviously greater. Making sure you are at said place at said time, being responsible for your own actions while you're playing. It was nobody's fault but myself if I had an off practice or game, and I learned to take responsibilities for my own actions and attitude.
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Teamwork
Pretty sure that is a no-brainer, but it's true. Sports teach you one of the most important skills one can have; how to work efficiently with a numerous amount of people. Teamwork in any type of sport is crucial for the success of the overall team. Learning to work as a cohesive unit with my teammates over the years has facilitated with working within a group setting, whether it be work or college. My time spent on the field, court, track, etc. has taught me the importance of solidarity.
Confidence
We are all aware that confidence is a major key to have and to uphold. Sports have not only given me confidence from a very early age, but it has excelled my self-assurance more than I ever thought it would. Whether it was a penalty kick for soccer or shooting a free throw, knowing that one mistake could end the game, or even just the countdown before the gun goes off at a track meet; confidence is vital to go out there while everyone is watching, and give it your best shot. Confidence has granted me the ability and edge to perform under pressure, and I have carried that skill with me to this day.
Taking a loss
It happens to the best of us. You give it your all during a game, but it just wasn't good enough. Maybe you had an off day, you got a bad grade on an exam and that was on your mind, maybe you had a fight with your boyfriend, maybe the other team was just more prepared than you. Whatever the situation may be, everyone who has played a sport has experienced failure at least once. Sports have taught me how to lose, and why failure is important, and how to use that loss as a lesson to be learned. Losing sucks, but how you stand up, brush yourself off, and move forward is what really is important. The way you carry yourself after a loss shows the world what type of person you are; whether you are accepting responsibility and looking forward to improving yourself and your team with a positive outcome, or just dwell in self-pity until the next game. Everyone experiences failure throughout their life and I'm glad that athletics have taught me how to move past them.
I will never regret being a three-season athlete. Although I'm almost positive I would complain to my parents about how sore/tired/stressed I was, I am so thankful that they continued to push me and never let me quit. Playing sports has instilled in me lessons and values that I would have never learned elsewhere. No regrets.
Pat Riley once said; "Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.”
