Personal Narrative: The UGA Tournament

It has been 2 1/2 years since I left Kent State Geauga. Looking back I am so glad I made that decision because it lead me here. After I graduated High School I did what I was expected to do by going to college. I had no idea what I wanted to major in, but I new I wanted to do something I love and am passionate about. The problem was, how do I know if I love something if I’ve never done it before? After a semester of college I decided I would drop out and figure out what I wanted to do before I went back to school.

Before coming to UGA, I was a huge LSU fan. My mother went to LSU, so I was exposed to LSU football at an early age. I loved watching LSU football on Saturdays, and still do. I would spend most of my Saturdays during the fall on the couch with my dad and brother watching LSU play. I remember how nervous I was for the 2008 BCS National Championship between LSU and Ohio State. That night was one of my most memorable nights. With my love of LSU football, I felt as if I could never learn to like another team.

I have never won a Kansas State Kids Wrestling state Championship out of my nine years of wrestling. But, this year I was determined that it would change.

The South Dakota High School Football Championship was an experience that I am grateful for having. During the process of getting ready for the event, I was more worried about my grade of the course compared to the success of the weekend. As each week passed on, I realized that this weekend is bigger than just a grade for a course, but it’s a dream that many children have had since they first touched a football. After I realized how selfish I was, I volunteered to lead the game script group that was part of the social media/marketing group. The reason behind that was because I believe I want to go into the marketing aspect of sports, and I thought it was easy. Now that the event is done, I still want to be in sport marketing, but I learned

“Aidan, please go to college,” my grandfather stated, after receiving his terminal cancer diagnosis. This meant thousands of possibilities, but I was piqued by Wake Forest’s prestigious reputation and programs. This engendered an unofficial visit, during which the Cleveland Indians were playing. As I was strolling through campus, I saw someone with an Indian’s “C” on his shirt, so I exclaimed, “Go Tribe!” He was ecstatic about the game that night. Eventually our conversation branched out and he explained the advantages of attending Wake, like the great professors and peers I could meet here. His inviting nature made my interest in Wake grow exponentially. His praise of the school was genuine. Since people love this school so much

It was great talking with you. I always enjoy meeting someone from SC. Plus you are a Gamecock fan like myself. I went to the A&M game last year when they came to town. Hopefully this season is better than the last one.

It was a little difficult to pick an event with my busy schedule and everything. I finally picked one though; it ended up being a female soccer game. The reason I choice this one is because I don’t really like watching sports, except paintball. Unfortunately, AUM doesn’t have a paintball team, and I didn’t want to watch men running around in shorts. The other reason I choice this event it was it at the home field, so I wouldn’t have to drive a distance to see it.

Hey this new year a has been going great. To start off we had some person come in and bid 11,000 over asking price for the house and lay down 100,000 in earnest money. So I signed the papers today and close March 16th. On the way back to the valley house I got a call at the y in the road and got offered the managers position for gateway to college and the running start program for Spokane. The house and a job in one day. I thought it could not get better but I went to the Dr's and he said I need some massage twice a week for 6 to 8 weeks.

I went to Arkansas for a tournament. The activities I did with my family were very wonderful. My team versed many awesome opponents. Me and my team had wonderful time together. I hope I can do that again.

I would like to share a short anecdote about an amusing incident that happened to me. Two years ago, I was selected to officiate at my first Georgia State Cup, a large soccer tournament held over Memorial Day weekend with teams competing from all across the state. The four-day tournament was held at a university in Columbus, GA. For the referee crews, it means long days officiating many games with few breaks. Typically, evenings are relaxing, however, as all the referees stay in the same dorm together, sharing humorous stories and building camaraderie.

In the beginning of the year I had went to the first football game against Jackson State. I went with a friend who is also goes to UNLV and I distinctly remember that we were excited for our first college football game. The drive there was long because the Sam Boyd stadium is on the other side of town but it turned out to be a nice bonding experience. The amount of reckless drivers trying to cut into our lane once they realized that they should have waited behind the long line of cars was atrocious though. It was no matter, for we were still pumped up for the game. The parking situation was not bad, considering that it is much more of a challenge finding parking at UNLV during the first month of school. The actual game was pretty nice even

That’s how long the bus ride took from, my home, Bethel Park Pennsylvania to Omaha Nebraska. Days before we arrived in Omaha, my teammates and I lost the Pennsylvania state championship game. We were the number one seed and a heavy favorite but were upset in a gritty back and forth struggle against a bitter rival. Sometimes it takes a painful loss to make us change our ways. Never the less you win as a team and lose as a team. Nobody believed in our team and were a definitive underdog from day one. We were called “cupcakes”, “an easy win” and “unproven” by other players, coaches and tournament staff. We wouldn’t give up though, we fought adversity as it stood before us and laughed in our faces. Going into the first game we were not scared, we were determined. After all the ridicule and hate, it was time to put our money where our mouths are. The group stages were like a walk in the park for the Pittsburgh powerhouse, as we routed teams from North Dakota, California and Ohio without contest. Proving our worth in this tournament we were no longer considered a “cupcake” we were the beasts from the east. With one of the most explosive scorers in the tournament and clutch brick wall goalie, things were looking up. “Lions don’t lose sleep over the opinions of sheep”. I once saw this quote online and implement it into everyday situations in my life. For instance the “sheep” or the other teams that did not think we deserved to be at nationals

I raced as fast as I could down the court like there was no tomorrow, and I knew how much time I had as I threw the ball across the court as the clock ran out RINNNNGGG!!!

My mind raced as I thought about what to do. I wanted to make the right decision. During our FLL competition, I had to make a quick decision if I wanted to run the robot again or not. This was a time I believe I was tested. My teammates wanted me to do it again. I wanted others to have a chance. I wasn’t sure if I made the right decision at that moment. Everyone is tested in different ways, and I was tested to see if I would choose myself or others.

There stood the final score 27-21, Vikings have done it, they are going to the Championship, again.Steelers stood quiet on the sideline while their opposing team were jumping up and down all across the field yelling and screaming and hugging each other in joy.Then you had my team, the now beaten Steelers who had just blew their Championship chance all because of me. I was only a sixth grader then and I was only playing in a little league,but felt terrible not in the mad way like an angry bull charging a fire red cape but disappointed like as if you had a chance to save the world and you decided to stay watch TV. As I was presented with a third place medal I wondered if I even deserved it had I not of fumbled the ball I would have a cheering team and a golden trophy in my hand but no, I had a bronze medal hanging from my neck.So from that day forth I decided I wasnt ever going to stop playing football and practicing football until my body couldn’t take it anymore.