As I awoke to the blaring of my alarm clock, I rolled over and checked the time to make sure that I was indeed waking up at the right hour. It read 4:30 AM, and yes, this was the correct time for me to be waking up today, even though the sun was still an hour away from rising. I rolled out of my temporary bed for the week which was a pull-out couch in the condo that my family had rented. We were in Knoxville, Tennessee for the 17 & Under AAU National Olympics and my traveling baseball team, the Redshirts of Chicago, Illinois had the misfortune of being slated for a 9 AM game this morning. Pregame for us started at 7:30 AM, which meant getting to the field at 7 AM, after an hour drive to the field. As I gradually awoke from my sleep I began to pull on my uniform and quickly noticed that I was not the only one up. My mom had heard my alarm go off and was in the kitchen putting a cooler together for me as the temperature would undoubtedly reach into the 90’s that day. As I munched on a bowl of cereal and a banana, she wished me luck for the game and went back to bed for another hour or so.
The above situation was something that occurred often in my house ever since I started playing baseball at the age of 5. My dad coached me from my first t-ball game until I joined my traveling team at age 14 and both of my parents made every attempt possible to attend every game that they could. Family road trips were common and the sacrifices my entire family made, including my younger sister, should not go unnoticed. Summers basically revolved around my baseball schedule and for this I am grateful for everything that my family has done for me over the years to encourage my growth both athletically and as a person. This is why I urge all student-athletes, especially those who are involved with the National Collegiate Scouting Association, to be appreciative and thankful when it comes to their families, especially their parents. Without our parents and guardians, we as student-athletes would not have the means to play the sports we love and attend the school of our choosing. Uniforms, equipment, rides and time are just a few of the things that parents contribute to us and we should work hard everyday to make their sacrifices well worth it.
Emily Simpson attended Saint Louis University and played four years for the Women’s Club Soccer team. The time she spent at SLU was truly memorable both for soccer and academics, but when asked about the role her parents played in her development as an athlete, she voiced the true appreciation she has for them.
“My mom went to every soccer game she possibly could, even to a few in college, while my dad made it to the games he could due to his heavy work schedule. My parents have always been the most supportive people in my life, even when it comes to my activities like soccer.”
As young people growing up, we sometimes lose sight of the sacrifices and hard work our parents commit in order to help us become better athletes and better people. Now a 22 year-old college graduate, Emily spoke about her parents during her youth playing soccer.
“When I was younger, they would either take turns taking me to every soccer practice and game or found a way to get me there.”
Again, to us as student-athletes, it seems common and assumed that our parents help us in any way possible. At the very least, as high-school athletes, collegiate-athletes and perhaps beyond, we should act in accordance with the values and commitments of our parents. When it’s all said and done, we are given the means to succeed athletically and academically because of the opportunities they have provided for us.
For those student-athletes that are enrolled with NCSA, take the time to thank your parents for giving you the opportunity to utilize our services and maximize your college recruiting experience. Time and time again we here at NCSA see parents and guardians going above and beyond to provide our services for their children, services that will undoubtedly help these student-athletes achieve their goals on the playing fields and in the classrooms. Not only should these student-athletes thank their parents, but they should also make decisions that will be a reflection of the commitment their parents have made.
Luke Powers, a former basketball player at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, spoke fondly of his parents and all of the work they did to provide him the means to play basketball in high school at Loyola Academy in Chicago and beyond.
“My parents were always there to support me and my basketball career. Every time I needed a ride to practice or a game they were always there to be counted on. When I got to John Carroll to start playing, their support continued and it felt great to make them proud of my achievements. I owe it all to them.”
Emily and Luke are just two student-athletes who understand the true commitment and sacrifice that their parents have made over the years. I strongly urge the hundreds of thousands of other student-athletes across the country to do the same, especially those who are involved with NCSA. I personally know that I would not be anywhere close to the person I am today without the support and dedication of my parents.
There was a running joke amongst the baseball parents at John Carroll University that every time my parents came to campus to see a game, I would have the game of my life. Specifically, the mothers all had a theory that it was because my mom was there to watch me, and they very well could have been right. I tried to make my parents proud whether it was performing well in the classroom or committing myself to the team at JCU. So please, take the time to thank your parents, your guardians and even teachers and coaches who have given you the opportunity to play the sport you love so much. Make them proud by the way you carry yourself on and off the field, because someday you will hope that your children follow the same path that you once did. Besides, it really is the least you could do.