Why Is Hockey Important To Me

We walked together to the field, the spikes on the bottom of my cleats clicking with each step on the parking lot pavement. A huge field with onlookers filling the bleachers on the far side came into view, lit up by the soft evening light. I spotted the girls on my team and my tired looking grey-haired coach. Me and my dad split up, me going to warm up with my team and my dad going to sit with the team parents. As I was passing with my teammates I watched the opposing team carefully. I observed how neat their drills were and how accurate their shots and passes were. They all looked so athletic and that really made me doubt myself. How was I supposed to prove to everyone that I was a good player if I had to play against a team this good? What if I mess up and the other team completely destroys my team? The loud buzzer that ended the warm ups sounded and both teams went to their side of the field. My coach called today’s starters out, and luckily he didn’t choose me. Relieved, I went to go sit on one of the hard metal chairs they provided for the teams on the sidelines. The chairs were uncomfortable but that didn’t bother me. I had other things on my mind. I sat shivering watching the events of the game

I go to an all-boys high school that has a reputation both for its academics and athletics; therefore, it attracts many strong athletes. The first day of tryouts I couldn’t believe how many people were there. Although I thought I had some talent, there were a lot of talented players and I did not make the team. I was very disappointed. One of the reasons I chose my high school was because I hoped to play on their hockey team. Because I did not make my schools team, I could enter the player pool of the High School Hockey League of Nassau County. I was very fortunate to be picked up by a new team. I didn’t know anyone on the team, but I decided to make the best of it. I have had four great years of high school and travel hockey, and have made many great and lasting friendships. If I had a similar experience in college, I would try something new. I look forward to all the new opportunities both academically and socially that University of Delaware can

Waking up at the crack of dawn half asleep, struggling as a little kid carrying this enormous bag that is twice your weight, and walking into a freezing cold rink makes you think why do this. All hockey players have asked themselves this but growing up in a rink is a choice that no one regrets. You learn from a very young age that hockey is the greatest sport on the earth. Nothing can compare to the sacrifice, toughness, hard work, teamwork, physical, and brotherhood that hockey requires and creates.

From the age of three, my life was nothing but Hockey. With a father who was a hockey player and a brother 3 years older already playing hockey, it was clear which sport I was going to get into. Once I started walking, my parents put me on the ice to learn the game of hockey. I instantly fell in love and I have continued playing to this day. Once it came time to play high school hockey, it all got serious. I was a freshman on the varsity team with my brother, who was a senior at the time. This was nothing but an emotional year for me, it was my first year in high school and my last year to play on a team with my brother. Once my brother graduated, he decided to go onto Juniors hockey, which is what I would do once I graduated. By the time I graduated high school, my brother would exceed the age limit for juniors hockey, so

I felt my heart racing as I imagined making the top team in the club. I knew right then and there that I was going to try out for the team as soon as I discussed it with my parents. After my parents’ approval, I went to the first tryout with high expectations and aspirations. The tryout was going well at first; my skill was evident on the ice. I was making quick passes and skating hard. I will never forget the fateful pass that happened next. I remember the play in slow motion. I passed the puck through the center ice, a precarious move, but it was intercepted by the opposing team and as a result they scored a swift goal. Groans from the other players could be heard and my heart sank. That pass would determine my fate. After the tryout, I undressed slowly replaying the pass repeatedly in my head. Coach Ruben walked out of his office with the list of players who made the team in his hand. As he posted the list on the bulletin board, all the eager players ran over, examining the list of names. I stared at at the list for what seemed like an eternity searching for my name, but it was not there. I stifled my disappointment and followed my parents out to the car. To my ten year old self, my dreams were crushed and I assumed my hockey career was over before it even

The first day of tryouts came around and I woke up that morning shaking with excitment and shear nervousness. I ate my bagel and chocolate milk, (a pregame ritual of mine) laced up my cleats, and was on my way. The second I got to the field I knew I was in for a long day. Most of the guys were double my size and looked like they were professionals. After a few days of the long, hard, and grueling tryout process the coaches posted the team on their website. When I saw my name wasn't on the list I felt spiteful, angry, even a little ashamed with myself. I knew I deserved a spot on that team and I was determined to claim it.

I started the first few weeks wanting to impress the head coach to prove to him I deserved a spot within the starting nine on the varsity level. I practiced hard, never goofed off, and went to the cages with my dad on the weekends. I wanted to make the varsity level to show my family and myself that I could do it and that I was good enough to compete at the varsity high school softball level. When I was younger, I made the team I wanted, I never considered failing to be part of me. The big week came, the teams were posted all seven freshmen had made a team but yet to find which side of the paper their name

It was my sophomore year, and the day had come to find out who made the varsity lacrosse team. We piled into the locker room to discover rows of brand new helmets. The list of the varsity players was written on the whiteboard. The team was excited, the locker room buzzing with noise. My heart dropped as I realized that my name wasn’t written there. My friends were admiring their new helmets and I had to hold back tears and disappointment. I know now that I still had to be developed at the junior varsity level, but it wasn’t easy to understand back then. At practice that day, I played out of pure spite, every move filled with rage. You aren’t good enough, I thought. I left practice that day without saying goodbye to my friends.

There are a lot of reasons 2017 will be great. I get to play hockey, have great friends I can trust, and have time for everything else! There are honestly too many reasons for just one essay, so there will only be a few.

Sometime around fall of my freshman year, I decided to join the Marmion lacrosse team, mainly because many of my friends were playing, but also because its exciting nature intrigued me. I did not realize it at the time, but this decision would end up changing my life. Being an athletic person, along with lacrosse being a relatively easy sport to learn, I became a good player on the freshman team. I worked my way up the ranks, from getting minimal playing time at first, then starting a few games in. A little under halfway through the season, the JV coach asked me

As the next few weeks flew by I decided to join recreation.  And guess who was my coach? My mom!!  I wasn't that bad   After some time when recreation was finished, I was eager to keep playing through the winter. We found another team a little bit further away but that was okay .   We pulled up to the place. “Welcome to Dutch Total Field Hockey”, the sign read.  “Why would they name a place Dutch Total Field Hockey?”, I thought.  As we walked further into the dome a lady greeted us, “ Hello and welcome to Dutch Total Field Hockey.  I am Ingrid.”, she explained in a strong accent.  I thought she would be my new coach.  After weeks of training I became used to the giant bubble, otherwise known as the dome.  I was getting the hang of it and wanted so badly to continue playing so after a few more months I was enjoying every minute I played! When the summer rolled around I was ready for field hockey camp! By that time I knew everyone there and they all knew me. I loved field hockey camp so much and continued wIth their program during the fall.  One afternoon after practice was over, I received an envelope with my name on it. I showed my mom and we found out they wanted me for their select team.  I was so excited I was glowing with

There is nothing that makes me more happy than watching you have fun out there on the court and mats, I never thought basketball games and cheer competitions were so interesting, till I meet you and finally went to one, money well spent if you ask me. You might not talk about cheerleading 24/7 like I do with hockey but I can tell that you love doing it and your always wanting to get better. With your never give up attitude, or as you say “Leave amazing in the dust!” -Gabrielle Yates I can tell that you are dedicated to the sport. From coming up with new cheers, to screaming the loudest, and always having a determined look

Although my life to date has been focused mainly on my academics, I have done the best I can to keep myself well rounded. Growing up I was fortunate to partake in team sports, learning to play a musical instrument, and learn the martial arts of Taekwondo.

2 years ago I played football for the MOT Cowboys, I had just turned thirteen. Football season had just started and there were many teenagers my size and smaller than me trying out for the team,the tryouts was about a week long, a week later the teams had decided who they wanted and I was picked along with a ton of other talented kids at football. August 4th, the first day of conditioning, I’m thinking that conditioning would be a piece of cake but surely I was mistaken. The first day I had ran like I have never ran before, after the first practice I was thinking and said “ What did I get myself into”. The first week I was skeptical about even wanting to play football, my brother played football to and he jokingly said to me, “ You look like

By the time I prepared to leave for my sophomore year, something had changed. I no longer smiled uncontrollably as I drove up to the field hockey field. I started checking my watch every five minutes counting down the minutes till practice was over. I no longer got butterflies in my stomach on game day. I no longer cared. I lost interest “the way you fall asleep; slowly and then all at once.” I started questioning why I was even playing field hockey. I debated quitting, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t disappoint the people around me. So many people had put time and energy into helping me get to where I was. Everyone was constantly telling me how proud they were of me. I was constantly reminded of the fact that I was an athlete and that was how everyone saw me. By the time my sophomore season came to