Early mornings…late nights…35 degree weather…SNOW on the greens…95 degree weather…90% humidity…to many of you this does not sound like fun at all. Instead, it sounds like as much fun as getting tossed into hell's inferno. To me, this meant opportunity; the opportunity to play the game I love, golf, at the collegiate level.
As many of you know, Simpson College is an NCAA Division III school. This means that we have official NCAA athletics, but no athletic scholarship available. To some, this is a turn-off. To me, it meant the chance to play the game I love, for the love of the game; NOT FOR THE LOVE OF THE MONEY.
This is the same for all athletic teams at Simpson. When the football team lines up on the field, they are playing for the guys to their right and to their left. They are not there for just themselves and the fact that they have to play to help pay their way to the NFL (or Canadian League, or European League, or Arena Football League, or as in a lot of Division I cases, the real world-WITHOUT A DEGREE!)
My golf experience at Simpson was one that I will never forget. Last night, I found myself at the course talking with coach. He was in the process of preparing for a tournament that begins today. I was sad, I wanted to go along. I wanted to feel the pressure of that first tee shot with the gallery watching. I miss the days of competing and challenging myself on the course. Many of my competitors became my friends; friends that I still keep in touch with as we have moved on to our professional careers.
The early mornings, and the numerous rounds of rain-soaked golf were sometimes frustrating during the season, but looking back, I wish I could just take one more walk around a course of perfectly manicured holes of pure serenity with my fellow IIAC competitors.
This is an excerpt that I found on the internet from a fellow Division III athlete, Sean Sornsin. It truly represents what Division III athletes are about:
As many of you know, Simpson College is an NCAA Division III school. This means that we have official NCAA athletics, but no athletic scholarship available. To some, this is a turn-off. To me, it meant the chance to play the game I love, for the love of the game; NOT FOR THE LOVE OF THE MONEY.
This is the same for all athletic teams at Simpson. When the football team lines up on the field, they are playing for the guys to their right and to their left. They are not there for just themselves and the fact that they have to play to help pay their way to the NFL (or Canadian League, or European League, or Arena Football League, or as in a lot of Division I cases, the real world-WITHOUT A DEGREE!)
My golf experience at Simpson was one that I will never forget. Last night, I found myself at the course talking with coach. He was in the process of preparing for a tournament that begins today. I was sad, I wanted to go along. I wanted to feel the pressure of that first tee shot with the gallery watching. I miss the days of competing and challenging myself on the course. Many of my competitors became my friends; friends that I still keep in touch with as we have moved on to our professional careers.
The early mornings, and the numerous rounds of rain-soaked golf were sometimes frustrating during the season, but looking back, I wish I could just take one more walk around a course of perfectly manicured holes of pure serenity with my fellow IIAC competitors.
This is an excerpt that I found on the internet from a fellow Division III athlete, Sean Sornsin. It truly represents what Division III athletes are about:
It's not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making Sports Center. It's a deep need in us that comes from the heart.
We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates and for the student in our calculus class that we don't even know.
We don't practice with a future major league first baseman; we practice with a future sports agent.
We don't lift weights with a future Olympic wrestler; we lift with a future doctor.
We don't run with a future Wimbledon champion; we run with a future CEO.
It's a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand.
Sometimes we play for 2,000 fans; sometimes 25. But we still play hard. You cheer for us because you know us.
You know more than just our names. Like all of you, we are students first.
We don't sign autographs. But we do sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams, and student body petitions.
When we miss a winning kick or strike out, we don't let down an entire state. We do let down our teammates, coaches, and fans. But the hurt is still the same.
We train hard, and in the morning we go to class. And in that class, we are nothing more than students.
It's about pride—in ourselves, in our school.
It's about our love and passion for the game. And when it's over, when we walk off that court, field, or mat for the last time - our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside, there‘s a pride no one can touch.
We will forever be what few can claim...college athletes.
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Remember, you make your day...Make it the best it can be!
Andy
1 comment:
Awesome poem!
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