One of the great
attributes about Washington and Lee is the opportunity to fully engage in a
myriad of activities. As a liberal arts college, they not only recognize, but
also encourage learning beyond the classroom. I feel privileged to have been
able to participate in sports, clubs, and research while at W&L. I feel
that these activities-particularly sports- have augmented the benefits I have
gained through academics and will make me better prepared for life after
college. However, I still often get asked, why play DIII athletics? Why put so
much time and effort into a sport that won’t pay the bills for me after
graduation? Why do wins and losses mean so much when there generally are more
players than fans? And my personal favorite, why am I so obsessed with my team?
It can be difficult for someone who has
not experienced it themselves to understand. But Lilly, Katie and I wanted to
share the following article with you because we think it does a pretty good job
of capturing the sentiment. It is an old article, first appearing in The
Cornellian newspaper in 1999, but the message still rings true.
Why We Play Division III Athletics - Author by Cornell Alumnus Sean Sornsin
-It's not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making SportsCenter. 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 students 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 kick or strike out, we don't let down an entire state. We only let down our teammates, coaches, and fans. But the hurt is still the same.
-We train hard, lift, throw, run, kick, tackle, shoot, dribble, and lift some more, 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 or field for the last time, our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves.
-We will forever be what few can claim...college athletes.
