To the senior athlete,

Please take a second to be proud of how far you’ve come. Be proud of sticking with the sport you almost quit because you didn’t make varsity freshman year. Be proud of the sacrifices you made for those Friday Night Lights. Be proud to step out on the field, court or ice wearing your school colors. And most of all, be proud of the teammates who have stuck by your side from day one.

Be proud because sooner or later, this will all be over. Before you know it, the time will come to turn in the jersey that gave you goose bumps every time you put it on. So take it all in, every second of it.

Whether or not you are continuing your sport in college, nothing will ever compare to the feeling of high school athletics. So make the last one the best one. Give it your all and nothing less, not only for yourself but for your fellow seniors.

Don’t hold a grudge against a teammate. Looking back on it now, the thing I regret the most is taking my issues out on the field. It turned me into a selfish player and impacted everyone around me. Although it is easier said than done, let it go. Leave the drama in the locker room. I can assure you whatever it is, it won’t matter in five years- but a state championship will.

Be a role model for the scared-to-death freshman, they were you not too long ago. Guide them and lead by example. Take them under your wing, they look up to you more than you realize.

Respect the coach who has helped you grow over these past four years and shape the player you are today. Listen and learn from their advice and forget the times they frustrated you. Thank them for pushing you and making you mentally tough.

Leave the program better than it was when you entered it. Regardless of the amount of playing time you got, or the number of goals you scored, do something to impact the future. You may not realize it, but small things lead to big things.

Capture the feeling you have every time you see your parents cheering you on in the stands. Be sure to thank them endlessly for all the time and effort they have put into your athletic career over the years. They will always be your number-one fans no matter what, remember that.

And most importantly, have fun. Smile and laugh with your teammates as much as possible. Jam in the locker room and goof off at pasta dinners. These are the memories that will matter most down the road, I promise you.

With love,

A former senior athlete