Here it is. The big one. The one you’ve been waiting for all four years. Finally, it’s your turn to yell at the freshmen to get the ball bag or scold them when they try to sit in the back of the bus. You run this show. You’ve been through every up, every down and before you knew it, this is the last one. You look at all the little underclassmen and think about how crazy it is that you wish you were the one looking all timid and unsure. Because you’re going to miss this.
As much as you complain about 5:45 a.m. conditioning and the suicides you run over and over again, you’re going to miss that. You’re going to miss pushing yourself trying to beat the teammate next to you. There was no better feeling than coming off the field knowing that everything you had is still out there. Play hard in your last games — you won’t regret it.
And nothing will replace the bond you have with the teammates. These are the people you gave your blood, sweat and tears to. You’ve puked over garbage cans with them, cried with them and ran into their arms after a game winning goal. You saw these people every single day for three months straight and I’m willing to bet some of your best friends have come from that team. Take a look around the next time you’re standing in a huddle because pretty soon you’ll be breaking it down for the last time.
Let’s talk about coach. You’re finally at that level. You’ve earned the trust. You’re the first one that they come to for advice and you’re finally the cool one to stand next to them on the sidelines with your arms crossed, acting all important, when in reality you’re just making jokes about the freshmen. This coach knows you, how you play and when you get frustrated. Thank them for all the time and effort they put in to turn you into a veteran — because that’s something you couldn’t do by yourself.
Don’t rush through practice. Don’t grumble about getting up the Saturday of prom (okay, you can grumble a little). Take a long, hard look at the team that’s been family and the field that’s been home for four years, because that’s one thing you can’t get back after you graduate. Friends are forever, but bus rides with them chanting your school song will stay in high school. The memories will stick around, but the high fives, hugs and butt slaps after a win will remain with the team.
Take care of your team. Give them all you have now and leave them a picture of success with an inner fire that drives them to be the best they can be.
High school sports are something that don’t seem like a big deal while you’re there. But they sure are something you’re going to miss — a lot. Cherish this last season and make it a good one, champ.
