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There's a Feeling in the Air
Preseason, An Introduction to College Athletics
There's A Feeling in the Air
August 18, 2009
With a quickly approaching start to the fall season, there's a distinct feeling floating around within athletics, a mixture of feelings to be honest. It's that feeling you get when you're unsure of how great something is going to be.
Everyone knows that the field project, new logo, and completely overhauled Web site are a long awaited step in the right direction, but the question is how much of an impact will the changes make on the demeanor of the department's student-athletes, staff, and Regis College as a whole.
The overwhelming feeling is one of pride, no pun intended, but it clearly feels that way. Throw in optimistic as well. For years the field was unfit for collegiate play, yet its coaches and student-athletes made do with what they had while its competition constructed the newest and most state of the art facilities imaginable.
That ability to play on sub par fields while your competitive peers played with the best goes to show that Regis student-athletes have a determination to succeed. With so much being held against you for so long, when the fields are complete, and the new logo is blatantly branded on the chest of students, and a Web site that showcases each team, how could you not be proud of where you're headed?
Preseason, An Introduction to College Athletics
August 20, 2009
Reminiscing on the days of college life is usually one of fond memories. The move-in, meeting your roommate, and of course that bittersweet, more sweet than bitter, goodbye to your parents.
These are a common memory for college kids, but there is another side for the student-athletes. Preseason for fall teams often means one, if not two practices a day in sometimes sweltering heat. But it's the price that an athlete willingly pays to be a part of something larger than their self.
"It's more than having 14 friends, their almost family," says Meghan Robohm, a sophomore field hockey player.
There's no question that it can be a test of patience, but every practice is another push at bonding with your team, understanding why, when, and what will make your coach flip out like you've never seen.
Regardless of how terrified you find yourself, or how hot the days practice is, you know that come the season opener, every drop of sweat, every nick and boo-boo, and especially every second spent conditioning will be one step closer to tasting the sweet rewards of your work with a conference championship.
Just keep pushing through it all. When in doubt of why you do it to yourself, look to your right or left and know that there's a teammate paying the same price for you.
That is why you do it, and that is why you're a college athlete.
September 24, 2009
Having been just a few years removed from the college life, I find myself often in close proximity to an aspect of the “college lifestyle” that I miss on an hourly basis. It’s not the parties, although fun, it’s not the nightlife, or the roommates, early classes, or those really cool professors.
For me it was those early morning practices where I would have given anything for an hour more of sleep, those preseason practices and getting together with teammates to throw the ball around. Even those times of having to do down-and-backs across the field until near death seemed imminent.
Those are the times I miss most. In the midst of more than 25 student-athletes at this very moment, there is something that cannot be said, but felt only be those playing the sports they love. The pressures of classes, family issues, and relationship concerns have dissipated. Here everything is just for the love of the game.
For those that have never been a true athlete they just can’t put their finger on why that insignificant ball means so much. Well that ball is the life source for so many athletes. The ones on this campus crave the next time they can touch, feel, experience, and connect with that ball, the one that brings them to this peaceful place we call sport, because for some of us that ball and these bright lights are our safe haven from so many troubles.
It’s under these bright lights where the purity and definition of love exist, love of sport, love of life, love of the game…