Leaving a legacy
The NHS volleyball team is made up of almost exclusively seniors this year, and head coach Mickey Crabtree, who is in her inaugural year, has talked a lot about legacy and what this team wants to leave behind in their final season of high school play.
That got me thinking about what leaving a legacy really means.
This group of girls has been dedicated and successful in their athletic endeavors from a very early age. Whether volleyball or basketball, soccer or track, the graduating class of 2023 has always been a force to be reckoned with, on the court or the field.
Several have been blessed with natural athletic ability, however, it has been their hard work, determination, competitive nature, and commitment to their sport that has ultimately led to the successes they have enjoyed over the years.
A few of these athletes will go on to play at the collegiate level, however, they will leave their high school career behind in just a few short months.
Though they will no longer don the orange and black, they will continue to make an impact on those who will step up to fill their shoes.
Not only are they what aspiring Dogies look up to, but they will also carry with them the lessons learned throughout their journey from youth sports to varsity play.
What lasts, what carries on to their future lives, and what will those younger athletes learn from all they leave behind?
If the younger players are watching and learning, they should take away a great deal from this group.
They aren’t afraid to put in the work. They remain level-headed and focused, regardless of the situation. They are uber competitive, and though they respect every opponent, they don’t fear any of them. They embody the “Never say die” Dogie attitude. They expect to win, and are disappointed when they don’t, especially if they have played their best. They don’t take anything for granted, and know that in order to achieve their goals, they have to work for them.
And they have fun.
When it comes to legacy, it doesn’t get much better than that.
These girls will take all of those qualities with them when they move on to their next phase of life. Because of these attributes that have become second nature to them, I have full confidence that each and every one of them will be successful in their future careers and in life in general.
I was browsing through the Positive Coach blog and saw a quote which took me back to my high school sporting days. The author shared some advice his father had passed on to him whenever he was playing in a big game.
He said, “Stop, take a deep breath, and
look around. Take it all in. You may never be in a game like this or a place like this again. Try to take a picture in your mind of this moment, and no matter what happens, no one can ever take that moment, that memory, away from you.”
The truth of that hit me hard.
I hope that these girls, and those that will follow, will appreciate each moment of their final seasons. I hope that they are not so caught up in the “next” thing that they forget to revel in their “right now.”
Legacy is about more than what you leave behind, it’s also about what you take with you.