Like most people in the world I greeted the New Year with a few "resolutions". I use the term resolutions very lightly because I never actually wrote them down, or verbalized them because I have a tendency to forgo the whole idea in a matter of weeks and I loathe admitting defeat...but, in an effort to at least say I tried to follow through, here I am. I often get so caught up in life that I put my passions and hobbies on the back burner. As birthday girl Betty White said, "I think everybody needs a passion. Whether it's one passion or a hundred, that's what keeps life interesting". And if Betty White said it, you can be darn sure I'll abide by it. Which leads me back to the main point ("resolution", if you must), finding time for my passions. I love to write, and as hard as I try to blog on a regular basis, I let life get in the way. But why should I be putting the things that make me the happiest aside? Seems a little counter productive if you ask me. So here's to writing, following my passions, and more happy days:
College Athletes
Growing up an Iowa fan, you can bet your bottom dollar I've witnessed the highest highs and the lowest lows. I've swelled with pride time and time again every time I get the opportunity to talk about my team. I love the history, the depth, the energy that the Iowa Hawkeyes brings to this city. It's rooted deep, and recognized all over the world (Seriously- I saw many Iowa items while abroad). Growing up, players like Jamie Printy, Jeff Horner, and Warren Holloway were my idols. I wanted more than anything to come to Iowa and play at the D1 level. Apparently my genetics had more to say on that then I did, so my dreams of being a student-athlete were quickly squashed. But it's totally ok because I still came to Iowa and pretended to be one; pretty much the same outcome. Anyway, growing up some of my happiest memories were from my beloved Hawkeyes. I remember the joys of coming to Carver and Kinnick for my first time, and the rush of excitement as I would watch them on TV. They seemed like the coolest of cool, they were who the people I wanted to be upon growing up. The difference between then and now is that I have a deeper respect for the time commitment these athletes take on. When I was younger I didn't quite understand that these "larger than life" icons that I had were not simply at the University of Iowa to play a sport- they were also required to go to class, and excel academically. After going to Iowa and learning more about the process, and befriending many athletes themselves (hence the whole "pretending I was a D1 athlete" thing), I realized that they don't have it as easy as everyone on the outside thinks.
A student- athlete is supposed to be exactly that, a student first, and athlete second. But the deeper I got into college, the more I realized how hard that must actually be. They have to schedule very specific class times to work around practice schedules, weights, team obligations, and not to mention away game travel days. I know that there are many people in the background making sure student-athletes have all the help, tools, and assistance they need to excel in the classroom; but do you ever stop and think about the pressures they must feel? By the University, they're seen as regular students held up to the exact same standard as every other student; but by their peers and fans, they're seen as celebrities poised to be blasted on social media every time they're in public, or on the court. What a conundrum that must be. In your college years, average students are allotted to make many mistakes. You're entering adulthood, with limited obligations, and even fewer people to tell you what to do- making the perfect combination for a concoction of mistakes. When I went out and did something stupid, the worst thing that happened was my friends would put it on their social media and nobody paid any sort of attention. When a student-athlete goes out and does something a normal college kid does, the world takes notice. With every form of social media at the fingertips of anyone, it doesn't take long to spread and change contexts, and blow up. They're young adults, and society doesn't give them a chance to be.
They're expected to live in a bubble, unscathed by the taunts or bullies on social media. First of all, I don't know how celebrities ignore all the horrible trolls, let alone 18 year old kids. I get it, it's the worst when we can't connect on the football field, or score on breakaway. I think we as a society get so caught up in the game that we forget that these aren't professionals; they're in college to learn, and grow, and figure it out game by game. But what good does it do to attack these young people personally? We forget that they're not exactly the "public figures" we think they are- and I can guarantee that they see the things "fans" are saying about them on social media. I love the Hawkeyes, and sure I get disappointed when we don't play well or things aren't connecting- but I think if you're placing your entire happiness on the outcome of a college sporting event, maybe you should consider finding alternative hobbies. It's a constant learning process, where coaches and athletes are finding the right balance, and if you have a hard time appreciating that- find a different outlet for your negativity, I don't want to see it on social media, or at the venue (especially targeted at specific student-athletes).
Maybe I'm just hyper sensitive because I knew/know student-athletes on a personal level, and I was constantly astonished at how they ever got anything done during season. I know college athletics is a massive money maker, I get it- I do (it's my job). But I also think more people need to step back and appreciate it for what it is- a platform for talented kids to grow, learn, and explore their talents and abilities. Think of how much more fun we would all have if we all could view it as just that?
*Steps off Soap Box*
College Athletes
Growing up an Iowa fan, you can bet your bottom dollar I've witnessed the highest highs and the lowest lows. I've swelled with pride time and time again every time I get the opportunity to talk about my team. I love the history, the depth, the energy that the Iowa Hawkeyes brings to this city. It's rooted deep, and recognized all over the world (Seriously- I saw many Iowa items while abroad). Growing up, players like Jamie Printy, Jeff Horner, and Warren Holloway were my idols. I wanted more than anything to come to Iowa and play at the D1 level. Apparently my genetics had more to say on that then I did, so my dreams of being a student-athlete were quickly squashed. But it's totally ok because I still came to Iowa and pretended to be one; pretty much the same outcome. Anyway, growing up some of my happiest memories were from my beloved Hawkeyes. I remember the joys of coming to Carver and Kinnick for my first time, and the rush of excitement as I would watch them on TV. They seemed like the coolest of cool, they were who the people I wanted to be upon growing up. The difference between then and now is that I have a deeper respect for the time commitment these athletes take on. When I was younger I didn't quite understand that these "larger than life" icons that I had were not simply at the University of Iowa to play a sport- they were also required to go to class, and excel academically. After going to Iowa and learning more about the process, and befriending many athletes themselves (hence the whole "pretending I was a D1 athlete" thing), I realized that they don't have it as easy as everyone on the outside thinks.
A student- athlete is supposed to be exactly that, a student first, and athlete second. But the deeper I got into college, the more I realized how hard that must actually be. They have to schedule very specific class times to work around practice schedules, weights, team obligations, and not to mention away game travel days. I know that there are many people in the background making sure student-athletes have all the help, tools, and assistance they need to excel in the classroom; but do you ever stop and think about the pressures they must feel? By the University, they're seen as regular students held up to the exact same standard as every other student; but by their peers and fans, they're seen as celebrities poised to be blasted on social media every time they're in public, or on the court. What a conundrum that must be. In your college years, average students are allotted to make many mistakes. You're entering adulthood, with limited obligations, and even fewer people to tell you what to do- making the perfect combination for a concoction of mistakes. When I went out and did something stupid, the worst thing that happened was my friends would put it on their social media and nobody paid any sort of attention. When a student-athlete goes out and does something a normal college kid does, the world takes notice. With every form of social media at the fingertips of anyone, it doesn't take long to spread and change contexts, and blow up. They're young adults, and society doesn't give them a chance to be.
They're expected to live in a bubble, unscathed by the taunts or bullies on social media. First of all, I don't know how celebrities ignore all the horrible trolls, let alone 18 year old kids. I get it, it's the worst when we can't connect on the football field, or score on breakaway. I think we as a society get so caught up in the game that we forget that these aren't professionals; they're in college to learn, and grow, and figure it out game by game. But what good does it do to attack these young people personally? We forget that they're not exactly the "public figures" we think they are- and I can guarantee that they see the things "fans" are saying about them on social media. I love the Hawkeyes, and sure I get disappointed when we don't play well or things aren't connecting- but I think if you're placing your entire happiness on the outcome of a college sporting event, maybe you should consider finding alternative hobbies. It's a constant learning process, where coaches and athletes are finding the right balance, and if you have a hard time appreciating that- find a different outlet for your negativity, I don't want to see it on social media, or at the venue (especially targeted at specific student-athletes).
Maybe I'm just hyper sensitive because I knew/know student-athletes on a personal level, and I was constantly astonished at how they ever got anything done during season. I know college athletics is a massive money maker, I get it- I do (it's my job). But I also think more people need to step back and appreciate it for what it is- a platform for talented kids to grow, learn, and explore their talents and abilities. Think of how much more fun we would all have if we all could view it as just that?
*Steps off Soap Box*
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