Breanna Allen '17 Recruiting Profile

“WHY ME?” That is the question being asked as you view my profile and try to see who I am as a player and person, "Why should I choose Breanna Allen over Susie Softball Player to join my program?" A potentially complicated question trying to be answered by looking at a bunch of numbers. No doubt this is a game of statistics, but statistics alone do not define the student-athlete as a whole. Statistics do not show what is inside a person that drives them. Statistics do not show desire, commitment, determination, focus, or heart. Statistics do not show that my heart is optic yellow with red stitches. Statistics do not show the sweat stained clothes, scrapes, bruises, and sprains. Statistics do not show the long hours spent in search of perfection. Statistics can only show my measured skills on the field or in the classroom which is only a small percentage of what defines a student-athlete. With me, you get the player that is going to show up early, the one that is going to stay late, the one that is going to pick her teammates up, the one that will celebrate the successes and the one that will stand resolute during the failures. I believe failures build a stronger person and are mere stepping stones to success, It does not matter how hard you get knocked down but how quickly you get up looking for more and keep moving forward. It is these non-statistics that separates me from Susie Softball Player.  I do realize that, unfortunately, a career playing softball is not very realistic probability. Our sport does not carry on in the same manner as professional baseball. With that said, I believe we must play the sport as passionately as we can for as long as we can. So you see coach by choosing me you get solid quality stats but you also get the wonderful intangibles that cannot be measured on paper but only in a player’s spirit. My main strength as a student-athlete would be my heart. My undying passion for the game and all that goes with it. I am absolutely focused and determined to continue to do what it takes to reach my goals.  

I also realize that student comes first in student-athlete and that my passion for the game is fruitless without passion for the classroom. I continually strive to maintain a high level of academics choosing only the upper level classes to challenge my mind. I think of honors and AP courses as the “travel” courses of school. They are for the dedicated student much like travel softball teams are for the dedicated athlete. I realize that educational skills are more important to my future than the skills I possess on the field.  To state again, statistics do not show the hours of studying after a couple hour bus ride from a volleyball, basketball, or softball game. All my aforementioned intangibles carry over to the classroom. As for my future, I have longed to become a veterinarian since I was very young; however, my passion for sports tugs at my soul to just be immersed in it. My dream job would be a MLB broadcaster. I am inspired by the few women I do see in the mainstream sports world. I leave my options open to where my heart leads me. The final question for you coach is “Why not Breanna Allen?”