You must think I'm crazy right? Who wouldn't want to play at a collegiate level? Who wouldn't want a free education? Well, in this case, the answer is me. I essentially played sports since I came out of the womb. I played soccer up until midway of high school, but my true love and passion is for the greatest game in the world: basketball. I played it all the way up until my last loss in sectional finals my senior year. Man, that was heartbreaking. If you really think about it though, the majority of athletes end their careers on a loss, it just depends on when and where. I mean look at the women's team at UCONN. Just ended an 111-game win streak spanning since 2014. But anyways, back to why I am happy I didn't play college sports.

First off, it sure as hell wasn't easy. I never really had the intention to pursue collegiate athletics and I truly never thought that I was good enough for a number of reasons. Somehow though, an opportunity fell into my lap, which I excitedly jumped on. Clearly, it didn't last...whatsoever. But here I am at my relatively small school, graduating in just a few weeks and I can't help but smile at the decision I made back before freshmen year. Of course, I miss the game day rituals, the early Christmas of buying shoes for the new season, playing for your family, for your team, and all that went with being in that atmosphere. I miss that feeling of having the ball in my hands when it's crunch time, the eruption from the crowd after a pretty play, and the pure essence of competition that was a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My decision and acceptance of not playing collegiate athletics opened up a new way of life I never really knew existed, a life I had never really experienced. I was no longer apart of a team. I no longer was sacrificing myself for the success of the team, no longer practicing, lifting, watching game film, competing. I was just your average girl entering a new state of freedom and independence, a place where I now had to redefine myself, a place for growth.

I am a NARP, and I am proud. I'm sure some of you are like what the hell is a NARP? Well, a NARP is defined as a Non-Athletic Regular Person. I am now coining the term ARP or an Athletic Regular Person. Bottom line: I'm not on a team. And here are the two main reasons as to why I am happy I'm not:

1. I have more than just "my team." I see a lot of issues with the typical student to the student-athlete relationship, but not me. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone and I really interacted with whoever the hell I wanted too. I just have a natural liking to sports, so maybe that helped me in the long run. I lived with a basketball player my freshmen year so I was engraved in that team. My best friends are on the women's hockey team and I have lived with volleyball players my remaining years. I'm not confined to a small circle of just teammates. I'm not secluded, nor selective on who I engage with. I have the natural freedom to choose. A common theme I have seen throughout my college experience is that teams often stay within their circle for their main friend group. I don't have that "main" group. I would like to think of myself as some sort of social floater. My social circle spans a wide spectrum and I honestly love that. I can, and I have supported my various friends with the changing seasons. You would see me bouncing back between games and/or matches to make sure I was there for those who are close to me. I made it a point to support the ones I cared about because I sure as hell knew what it felt like to see my family and friends in the stands when I was playing. Aside from that, I also have my friends that are also fellow NARPs or classmates within my major. That doesn't sound too bad to me.

2. More importantly, I still love the game. Granted this doesn't apply to everyone, but nowadays, you see a lot of college athletes losing their passion for their craft. Personally, I know a handful of people who are essentially relieved when the last whistle blows and the time to hang everything up comes around. The physical aches and pains the, the constant lack of sleep, among other things, really take a toll. I mean you are human. Yes, that is what you sign up for and some people are built for it, and for some people, it's their safe haven, their chance to do more, but for others, it can be the opposite, and I've seen that first hand. It's a shame for me to see coaches or certain experiences take the love out of the game for some people. It's no longer a fiery burning passion and excitement for the game they grew up loving, but instead, a job. Show up to work, handle your business, go home, do your homework, sleep, repeat. That includes the lifts, training, rehab, study hall, practice, games, travel days, and any other thing you can think of that comes with being a college athlete. They sacrifice their time, their bodies, and their education. It's admirable when you see athletes persevering and still getting good grades, but also still loving the game. To see that love go to waste, or drain away, is truly heartbreaking. The competitive edge in today's society really shifted the dynamic for youth supports up to the collegiate level and beyond. It's no longer just fun and games anymore, it's a business, an occupation, and for some people, that is exactly what they came here for. Me, I will be walking across that stage with a smile on my face and a job waiting for me, all without an ounce of regret, and a handful of memories I will cherish forever.