BEEP-BEEP-BEEP. Startled, I suddenly wake up to the obnoxious sound of my alarm clock. It’s 9 am, but my eyes shoot open with excitement. I think to myself, “What day is it?” Without further hesitation, I smile as I respond “GAME DAY.” With no time to waste, I rip off the covers and spring out of bed. I am now ready for my game day rituals.
I start off the day with a pre-game meal. I walk to Gordon’s Dining Hall—the nearest and most affordable food in proximity to my dorm—and select a bagel with peanut butter, a banana, and some oatmeal to satisfy my hunger on this extraordinary morning. Feeling great with a healthy breakfast in my system, I am now ready to get in the zone. I scoot to Camp Randall and head to our team locker room. Instantly my adrenaline skyrockets as I feel the speakers blaring and witness twenty girls ridiculously dancing around—evidently preparing for the big day ahead. As I spot my locker, I notice the red and white Wisconsin jerseys carefully hung up inside. Now it all sinks in. With butterflies fluttering in my stomach, I carefully select which Nike sports bras and spandex I want to wear for the game. This selection process is detailed because with one simple mistake, my whole game day ‘mojo’ is completely ruined. But once I have the perfect combination, I slide on my uniform shirt and particularly roll my shorts over exactly two times to get the perfect length I desire. I look in the mirror and realize something is very, very wrong. Ah yes, the hair. My hair must be straightened for every game and at this moment in time, it needs some extreme heat to tame this beast. I quickly turn on the straightener and let the heat sizzle my uncontrollable frizz ball into long, needle-straight locks. I carefully pull my hair back into a simple ponytail and re-evaluate my appearance. Yes—much better. I now glare at my ankles in disappointment. I angrily think to myself, “Why couldn’t I be gifted with strong, indestructible ankle?.” Shaking my head with a slight annoyance, I walk to the training room where I get my weak ankles taped up for the battle ahead. I pull up my red game socks, tuck in my shin guards and tightly lace up my black, leathery cleats. The gear component of my game day rituals is now completed.
Now, I start the mental preparation. I sit on a stool and let the energy of the locker room fill every inch of my being. I let the bass of the music beat through my body. I am completely fixated on one thing and one thing alone—this game. I visualize in my mind the adversity we will face and how we will find a way to overcome them. I imagine the ball gliding along the grass in different patterns along the field. I hear the desperate cheers from fans in the stand. I see the sweat dripping down our faces as our bodies are screaming with cries of pain. And most of all, I mentally picture the triumph we are about to share as we become victors in this vigorous, gruesome war.
Snapping out of this daydream, I throw on my warm up jacket and head to the bathroom to take one last glance in the mirror. Who is this person looking back at me? Is it someone who would give every ounce of her being to this team? Who would keep sprinting after every ball despite the fatigue she feels in her legs? Or—is it someone who fails to meet the standards set and who mentally gives in when exhaustion invades her mind. I look back at myself and confidently conclude that the girl looking back at me is indeed a warrior. Today, I will be a champion. We will all be champions. There is no turning back now.
I walk out that locker room dorm with energy seething out of my skin. Today it will be a war. It will get tough. And it will test how we react to adversity. But, who doesn’t love a good challenge? I sure do. Get ready Badgers, it’s GAME DAY.
