I have played sports ever since my
memory began. As soon as I was capable (at around 3), my dad put me onto
competitive athletic teams. I began with soccer and baseball, and evolved into
a five-sport athlete, playing soccer, baseball, basketball, golf, and tennis. I
played all five sports, all at the same time, all year round. To this day, team
commitments consume my entire life. I have never known a day without a
practice, a game, both, or even sometimes two of each. When I was younger it
seemed to make sense because school was easier and playing sports was a fun,
healthy way to spend my free time.
I fell in love with every sport I
played, but I admit my love didn’t always come directly from the game itself.
Often my desire to compete and do well came from the connection it gave me with
my dad. This bond became increasingly important when my parents divorced three
years ago. Every second with my Dad became even more meaningful than it was
before, and sports provided a way to make each one of those seconds even more
special for me. But as I grew older and school became more demanding, so did
each sport. I had to narrow it down from five to four, and then to three, then
two, and two Club and Varsity sports are where I am today. As I am asked to invest
more time than the season before for each sport, I have begun to question some
of my choices.
Being an athlete has caused me to make
many sacrifices, not only in terms of my free time, but also academically. On
the rare occasion where I get to flake out on the couch, I love to watch the
History Channel. History is one of my favorite subjects and has always
interested me, but during high school I have been forced to take my history
classes over the summer in order to fit athletics into my schedule. Those small
glimpses I get of a day off or life without a continuous roar of coaches in my ear
tempt me. So why do I keep up this lifestyle? The truth is I’m getting to a
point where I’m not entirely sure. As I look to the future, I know I want to
grow and explore new things in ways I haven’t been able to up to now. I want to
read more, study history at a leisurely pace, and find new experiences in the
real world. When I look forward and envision my college life, I get excited--excited
for the freedom to be able to make open academic decisions. Economics, another
class I was forced to take over the summer, was really fascinating to me. That
short introductory class has given me an interest in business, and made me eager
to pursue my intellectual interests on my own terms.
I know the bond that I have created
with my father will never fade, because I know I will continue to include
sports in my everyday life no matter what stage of life I am entering. While
our time together will no longer be spent with me on the field, I know it will
still revolve around sports, as it always has and always will. I have no
regrets, but I freely admit that I’m looking forward to next year when so many
more decisions will wholly be mine. Sports have influenced every minute and
nearly every relationship and friendship in my life. I’m eager to explore a world that isn’t so
dominated by one activity. I’m looking
forward to new opportunities and possibilities, and the way to open these new doors
may be to change the biggest part of my life.
