About six years ago today, a guy came up to a group of young girls in 8th grade and asked, "Who wants to be a goalie?" Around this time, I still considered myself a newbie at Kentucky Country Day School in Louisville, KY. I had come in during the middle of 6th grade and I was an awkward potato. I didn't exactly have a lot of friends and I was probably the shyest kid in my grade, but I had a passion for sports.
It was an outlet for me and I've probably played every sport quite imaginable, including basketball, softball, field hockey, swimming, and soccer (I pretty much sucked at that). Despite my well-roundedness in athletics, I never really found a sport that made me feel accomplished and happy. So, when tryouts for lacrosse came around, I decided to give it a shot. I was drawn to the sport because "popular kids" played it, but I never thought that I would stick with it even in college.
Insert Patrick McAnulty, a man of ultimate charisma and derp levels exceeding 9,000. I first experienced Pat, as we all call him, at a field hockey camp. I distinctly remember him using a variety of different accents to describe a drill that we were doing. It is probably one of the most funniest things that I still remember to this day. Pat also was in charge of the women's lacrosse program at KCD. He made the program what it is today: a powerhouse.
Pat is a funny guy, but he also knows how to spot the talent and dedication of a person. Back on that day in 8th grade, I definitely considered Pat's offer to the team: to become a goalie. It took a while to convince my mom, who wanted me to play the sport because she wanted me to run. When I told Pat that I wanted to try it out (without my mom's permission), he gave me the opportunity.
Since then, I haven't looked back. I became intrigued by the position and I was relatively good. Pat saw this and he helped me persuade my mom into letting me have the position. From there, he inspired me to get better and, at the same time, he helped me come out of my shell. Pat helped me figure out who I really was as a person, even though it took years to do so.
He never gave up on me. He pushed me to go to all of the camps that I could to hone my skills. He gave me new equipment as well as lessons to help me get better and stay consistent with my playing.
Without Pat, I wouldn't have become an All-American, All-State player, let alone a goalie. He gave me the inspiration that I needed and an ear when I needed to vent about problems. He helped me to decide where I would find the school of my dreams as well as finding a college team and coach, all of whom I love dearly.
He gives me wisdom (surprisingly) when needed, as well as confidence at my lowest points. Now that it's been two years since I've left for college, I think back on all of the fond memories that I've shared with him. I never gave Pat the credit that he deserved because I honestly will be forever grateful for his guidance. He's done so much for me and I will always be thankful for that.
