As my previous blog post discusses, I was blessed enough to receive a scholarship to Rose state College for soccer during my first two years of college. Once again, it was one crazy ride.
All my life, I had been a good player, I was able to stand out on every team I played on. I knew this team would be different, but I wasn’t expecting what was coming for me. My life was almost like a series of unfortunate events for the first few months, going something like this…
Day 1 of pre-season:
6 a.m - run until you are throwing up, and then go run some more.
10 a.m - very hard and confusing drills that make you look like you have never touched a ball before.
7 p.m - a pick up game with teammates you have never met, creating nothing but frustration and a clear failure in the “team chemistry” area.
By the end of the day I was tired, sore, and most definitely ready for bed, too bad I had homework. The next day was a lot like the first and it just kept going after that, but it did get better. I made friends and my team and I began to bond and build great relationships. By the second week of preseason everything I did revolved around soccer, even my dreams. By the third week I was so physically exhausted that I started contemplating my decision to play, and basically every decision leading up to that point. I was ready for a break. Luckily we got one, well kinda. My coach gave us a weekend off before we started the actual season (such the vacation, right?) Our first game is one that I will remember for the rest of my life, it was pretty much one of the most traumatic experiences of my life. My coach had never coached a women’s team before, wasn’t married and didn’t have kids, so he actually had no idea how to handle women what so ever. Most days felt like we had just entered military boot camp with his constant cussing, condescending attitude and vigorous workouts. By the time our first game came along, my coach decided to put the fear of God into us by screaming and wishing we would get beat up by the other team, that is not a joke. He also used the “F” word like it was the only thing he knew how to say. Mix the constant negative yelling and the foul language and the only outcome was a terrible game and many, many tears. After that game came many more that were not too different. That first season was brutal, but I will say it got much better. I had the love and support of my teammates and my coach finally came to the realization that being mean to us will not make us tougher, it will just make us cry.
When my second year of soccer began, I enjoyed almost every minute of it. Like anything, it had it’s days, but when we started games everything played out more smoothly than it had in the past. My coach had changed into a more kind hearted person; if you ask me I think he just finally adjusted to being around 23 girls 7 days a week. At the end of that season everyone of us had a special bond and it got very emotional. My coach even cried. Yes, my evil, bipolar, yet some how sweet and protecting coach cried. In that moment everything became worth it and my junior college adventure became one of my favorite experiences I have ever had.
All my life, I had been a good player, I was able to stand out on every team I played on. I knew this team would be different, but I wasn’t expecting what was coming for me. My life was almost like a series of unfortunate events for the first few months, going something like this…
Day 1 of pre-season:
6 a.m - run until you are throwing up, and then go run some more.
10 a.m - very hard and confusing drills that make you look like you have never touched a ball before.
7 p.m - a pick up game with teammates you have never met, creating nothing but frustration and a clear failure in the “team chemistry” area.
By the end of the day I was tired, sore, and most definitely ready for bed, too bad I had homework. The next day was a lot like the first and it just kept going after that, but it did get better. I made friends and my team and I began to bond and build great relationships. By the second week of preseason everything I did revolved around soccer, even my dreams. By the third week I was so physically exhausted that I started contemplating my decision to play, and basically every decision leading up to that point. I was ready for a break. Luckily we got one, well kinda. My coach gave us a weekend off before we started the actual season (such the vacation, right?) Our first game is one that I will remember for the rest of my life, it was pretty much one of the most traumatic experiences of my life. My coach had never coached a women’s team before, wasn’t married and didn’t have kids, so he actually had no idea how to handle women what so ever. Most days felt like we had just entered military boot camp with his constant cussing, condescending attitude and vigorous workouts. By the time our first game came along, my coach decided to put the fear of God into us by screaming and wishing we would get beat up by the other team, that is not a joke. He also used the “F” word like it was the only thing he knew how to say. Mix the constant negative yelling and the foul language and the only outcome was a terrible game and many, many tears. After that game came many more that were not too different. That first season was brutal, but I will say it got much better. I had the love and support of my teammates and my coach finally came to the realization that being mean to us will not make us tougher, it will just make us cry.
When my second year of soccer began, I enjoyed almost every minute of it. Like anything, it had it’s days, but when we started games everything played out more smoothly than it had in the past. My coach had changed into a more kind hearted person; if you ask me I think he just finally adjusted to being around 23 girls 7 days a week. At the end of that season everyone of us had a special bond and it got very emotional. My coach even cried. Yes, my evil, bipolar, yet some how sweet and protecting coach cried. In that moment everything became worth it and my junior college adventure became one of my favorite experiences I have ever had.
