If you played a high school sport, you the impact it can have on the development of your character. Working as a team toward goals whilst playing a game that you love is one of the most rewarding things you could ever be a part of.
Playing sports not only made me physically stronger, but mentally stronger as well. You really learn what you’re capable of when being strained physically, and it becomes a mental fight. Your mind pushes you to push a little bit harder or run just a little bit further, and this shows just how hard you’re willing to work to succeed. Talent and effort are a huge part of playing a sport, but so in mentality. And when you have the will to win, you’ll get there eventually.
Blood, sweat, and tears may sound exaggerated; however, I promise you it’s not. Through the injuries, the frustrations, and the endless number of sprints, basketball was a defining factor of my mental toughness and strength. Between sitting the bench during a good game or getting angry at a coach, you really have to learn to keep your attitude and focus in check. Little did I know that I would use these skills in my everyday life when dealing with coworkers, other students during a group project, or any other people I encounter.
The friendships you build with your teammates are friendships that will last you a lifetime. You go through everything with those people, and they’ve most likely seen all sides of you: the funny side when joking around at practice, the angry side after a bad play during a big game, and the sad side when losing your final game. Your teammates are family, and those bonds will last you long past the four years that you’re playing on the same team.
Some people view playing a sport as a way to get into college, a way to pass the time, or a way to gain popularity in the difficult years we all know as high school. But the fact of the matter is that sports are so much more than any of those things. Playing the sport you love with people you love in an environment that you love defines you in more ways than you can imagine. The four years that you are in high school are crucial in the development of a young adult.
So the next time you’re dreading a practice or just wishing that the season would come to an end, remember how much you love the game and realize how much it has done for you. When it’s over, you can’t get those moments back, and you’ll miss it more than you ever thought you would.
