Sports and what they can teach us to be ready for the real world

Hard work, teamwork, responsibility, determination are just a few of the words you hear when it comes to playing a sport. These, as well as many other words, are also what employers look for when hiring their next candidate. I am going to share part of my story from my journey at an important time in my life in hopes it connects with someone, or motivates or inspires someone. In times like these it is so important to be vulnerable, open-minded and just be honest with people so we can be a resource and support system wherever needed.

I grew up playing sports (not all competitively) but found a love for any and all sports. I started playing soccer competitively since I was 3 years old and still play it competitively to this day. No matter at what age, or level, I continue to learn so much from the game that can be used throughout my life. At 17 I was at a point where I needed to make a decision about the next stage in my life...college! I filled out applications to a few big schools but there was one school that was leading the way, Appalachian State University. Tucked away in a valley of the Appalachian Mountains Boone, NC was a place I fell in love with since I was 12 years old. Attending soccer camps as a kid, the town, the people, the soccer program was just something I wanted to be a part of. Unfortunately I hit a bump in the road when the head coach at the time came to watch me play and after a few short mins he didn't think App was going to be a good fit for me from a soccer perspective. My parents had taught me that making a decision on a college based solely on a sport could be a mistake. "You should pick a place that you want to be at no matter what happens. Life is not about one particular sport or thing, so pick a place you can see yourself creating lifelong friendships from."

When I heard that soccer may not have been my path, I did have one other option as a backup. I also ran competitively in college and there was an opportunity for a scholarship to run at App now. Their program is one of the top in the south, if not the country, so an amazing opportunity to still pursue my dream of going to App and doing some I enjoyed. Notice I didn't say loved, just enjoyed. Running was something I found out in HS that I was good at and it kept me in shape for soccer season. Looking at an out of state school I wanted to get a scholarship so it could help me and my parents financially. If I ran at App that could have been a reality. So decision made right...not quite?

I got a phone call from the Assistant soccer coach at the time, Bryan Cunningham, not long after I received the acceptance letter. He told me that the head coach that watched me play was taking another job and a new coach was coming in. Bryan and I had stayed in touch and met a few times and he knew what my dream was and knew I wanted to play at App. The new head coach was going to be Dave Golan, an Asst from South Carolina. When Bryan called me I started doing a little bit of research but didn't really know anything about his coaching style. Bryan said he did see a lot of potential in me and had talked to Golan about me and they would be willing to give me a shot if I was willing to work for it. They were not able to offer me scholarship money but rather an opportunity to come in early like the scholarship players and tryout. This was all the space I needed to try and pursue my dream of playing at the next level. Of course the decision to accept this offer was a quick decision for me.

Without going into all of the details, I spent all summer training and getting in the best shape of my life. I had something to prove to quite a few people. New head coach and 8 other scholarship athletes, and 15 other veteran players who have no idea who I am. I knew I was going to have to separate myself in some way. No matter what I do I will always try to be the hardest work, listen well and collaborate. I showed up on site knowing where I fit on the totem pole and just try to be a sponge and work harder than anyone else on the field. When I was asked to do something I did it, when we had some kind of fitness test I tried to win it, when I was asked to pivot and try something outside my comfort zone I embraced it. After a grueling two weeks the work paid off. I was awarded a spot on the team, even taking a spot from a scholarship athlete. Over the next 4 years I played every position on the field (other than goalkeeper), I earned a starting spot on the team, I was awarded a partial scholarship and was the team captain my senior year. When I said yes to App State I never thought the journey would have gone the way it did, but I am forever grateful to the university and the Men's Soccer program for everything it did for me then and now. At the end of all of this I have also developed life long friendships with players, coaches, staff and other students because of soccer. Appalachian State is a family and we will do anything for one another.

What I hope this story may show is that whether it is a sport or a career the elements to be successful are the same. Hard work does pay off if you truly put the work in. Set goals to drive you as continuing to set a higher standard for yourself will only make you and your "team" better. Lead by example and show members within your company and on your teams that you are here for them and willing to do whatever it takes and you value their participation in the ultimate goal. Sports again teach us so many different things that can be used throughout all stages of our lives and let's not take any of that granted and just be a sponge and continue to learn.