Personal Narrative: A Career As An Athletic

Growing up, I was never one to play sports. My coordination and overall athletic skill was never where I wanted it to be. But the idea and spectacle of watching and learning about sport was always something that amazed me. To this day, sport is a driving force that connects me with both my friends and family. When it came time for me to apply for college, I was one of the few seventeen year olds that had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted to do. Sport Management was a perfect match for me because a majority of sport managers today, were not super star athletes, and some were not even athletes. I also knew that going into the sports industry with no playing experience, along with being a female, I was at a disadvantage. Immediately, I knew that I had to find ways to move myself ahead of the pack. In order to achieve that goal, my two goals were getting my degree, and getting as much work experience in the industry.

What is the only thing harder than disciplining a dozen ten year olds? Disciplining them on ice! All throughout my life I’ve played sports, and no matter what sport it was, there was always one person who seemed to have it out for me…the referee. The referee is one of the most hated people in the world of sports, but is also one of the most crucial. I grew up with the mindset that the referee was the enemy. Whenever they made a call against me or my team, they were always wrong, no matter how obvious the penalty was. But one day, my whole perspective on referees changed---the day I became a referee.

My first year of high school, I had experience with injured football players during my physical education class. We had a certified trainer who would come in and check them out. She was excellent and all of the football players and staff loved her. I was so interested in her work and later thought about making it my career goal. As time passed, I transferred schools. At my new school, there was an opportunity with two other girls to join the football team. One of my friends that I already knew before I changed schools. He introduced me to the girls and the helped me get involved. The job was to assist the athletic trainer and also help the football coach with any laundry, equipment, etc.

The first time I realized that I wanted to be an athletic trainer was during my eighth grade summer at camp. I was working on a project where I had to find careers that I was interested in. Doing this project helped me realize how many job choices there were, but only one intrigued me as much as this one. My choice to major in kinesiology was made clear during my freshman year after I job shadowed an athletic trainer at my local college and high school. High school has helped me realize who I am and what I want to become, and college will help me become that person.

How did Roger Banister break the 4 min mile? How did Dennis Kimetto run a marathon in 2:02:57?

In the late spring semester of my senior year in high school. I decided to take a risk with my future. All throughout high school I, identified as a football player. From a freshman I was placed on varsity and throughout my career I contributed heavily in games. Glaring into my history of sports I naturally believed college football was the route for me. During my final season as a high school student. I a major family set back. Lucky for me one of my teammates could not bare to see me leave during the middle of the season. He offered that I stay with him for the finish of the football season. I accepted his offer with much embarrassment and shame. For the first time the spotlight of being needy that I had been dodging all of my life finally caught up to me.

The athletic training program at my school, many times our supervisor would let us take the lead when it came to treating a patient and diagnosing them. The biggest obstacle I face through this was doubting my confidence. One time as we were on watch during a game, a player had fallen and was in great pain. I was the next in line to go with the trainer to help the player, when we approached I began to feel my confidence dwindle. Yet I knew I had a duty to the player and was able to overcome this barrier.

To become an athletic trainer, one must complete courses such as Human Anatomy and Physiology as well as other courses that pertain to this major. These classes will help in learning how the body functions. I will also have to pass the Board of Certification exam and must be CAATE certified I could also volunteer at sporting events to get to know the environment around the players, coaches, and spectators from a non-athlete point of view. This could prove helpful because an athletic trainer will constantly be around sporting events and usually close to spectators, coaches, and players alike.

Growing up an athlete I had always been in above average shape. I was a healthy weight with toned muscles but, like most teenagers, I was eating garbage. I loved cheeseburgers and ice-cream and everything in between. For years I was telling myself this diet was ok due to the fact that I worked out. It wasn't until my sophomore year when I stated wondering how great I could be if I ate correctly. I decided to get a food tracker app and count calories. I was going to stick to a strict eating plan making sure I was only eating 1200 calories a day and eliminating snacking all together.

As a little girl, I was the child who would never let go of my parents. If anyone ever glanced over at me they would catch me either wrapping my whole body around my Mom's legs or begging my Dad to pick me up and hold me. Even worse, if any adults dare took the chance to come over and talk to me I would hide my face, thinking they couldn’t see me so I would never have to talk to anyone. I was shy. Simple as that, talking to people was something I feared the most.

I have never been an athletic person. I was never very fast, or skilled in athletics, and I always preferred reading to running. But during the winter of my seventh grade year, a close friend talked me into joining swim team, and in the spring, several of my other friends talked me into going out for track. As it turned out, I still wasn’t good at athletics, and I still didn’t enjoy most of it, but I think it all ended up being worth it in the end.

My coach once told me “take a challenge, take a risk because in order to improve you’ve gotta mess up in the process”. He told me to be able to be confident and that I can and will succeed. This gave me the boost of self confidence I needed on and off the court.

I joined my first team when I was one month old. Yes, one month. I guess I didn’t quite provide a huge impact on the Georgia College Baseball team but I was a great mascot. For my whole life, my home has been wherever my dad could coach. We’ve traveled to many different states, colleges, and fields so my dad could pursue his dream career. Because of this, I've learned my love for the game and the importance of a team. When I turned four, I transitioned from being a collegiate baseball bat girl to being an actual batter. When I turned 8, my parents realized I was the last girl left in the baseball league and decided that it might be time to switch to softball. Ever since, I’ve been on many different teams learning how to improve as a person

“Try not to get lost in comparing yourself to others. Discover your gifts and let them shine,” said Jennie Finch. I’ve had the great opportunity of discovering my God-given talents through sports. I have played volleyball, softball, and basketball and have truly been impacted by helping my teammates. I would like to use what I have learned in my career field of becoming a veterinarian.

It is my heartfelt desire to attend the US Naval Academy. I want to pursue a career in Engineering and I know that the Academy has an excellent program. I also would like to play basketball for the Academy. I have been a part of the varsity basketball team since the end of my freshman year and played AAU basketball for the past 6 years. I think that I have a lot to contribute and I would love to serve my country.