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November 15, 2005
They called me Big Foot...
Soccer has always been a huge part of my life. It all started in second grade on an all boy’s team. Back in the day, the boys called me “Big Foot”. I remember at 8 years old feeling accepted by all the boys since they gave me a nickname, albeit, “Big Foot.” Why the nickname? I could kick further than them at that age. Ha! Our team was called "The Molars", which was of course, because we were sponsored by a local dentist. We wore fire engine red shirts, mine with number 9 on the back.
I kept playing throughout middle school and was still on the all boys rec team. Then, I seemed to suddenly be taller than some of my teammates. I still managed to hold their respect and had luckily shedded my nickname. Secretly I liked it because it meant that they felt I was a real addition to the team.
As I approached high school, my family and I considered a local private high school. I approached this new venture with some hesitancy, but knew that I would be going to a school that would prepare me for college. I also assumed that I would play soccer to get in shape for basketball season. Incidentally, I ended up never playing basketball, and instead four played soccer twelve months a year for four years.
My freshman year in high school came and I went out for the St. Thomas Aquinas girl’s soccer team in 1993. It was their inaugural season and so it felt good to simply be a part of the team. I made it and hoped to get at least a few minutes of playing time as a 9th grader. Again, I found myself with a nickname, this time it was "Emster".
Four years passed quickly, and I found myself captain of the S.T.A. girls team along with three of my teammates my senior year. We won our league, headed to districts, and then to our surprise, found outselves in the regional finals. We were ecstatic. Our parents were thrilled.
We had pasta pre-game dinners, lucky striped socks, new hooded jackets with our numbers embroidered, and excitement that took us straight to that last game. We lost to an Ohio girl’s soccer powerhouse, and as quickly as it began, it seemed to end.
As it hit me that those four years were over, I found myself on the bench. Game over. My dad, my biggest fan, was now sitting next to me, arm around my shoulder. My stood close by taking it all in so as not to forget. Tears filled my eyes, and the lights went out as the three of us walked arm and arm and arm out of the stadium one last time. Awards ceremonies came and went, and I graduated with a strong GPA, an MVP award, and college on the horizon.
The summer after my senior year I trained, seemingly endlessly, for the College of Wooster women’s soccer team. Part of me wondered if I would even make the team. Just like all of you will do in the coming months, I waited patiently for my roommate's name to come in the mail, looked forward to starting classes in the fall, and let the excitement build as the summer turned into fall.
Finally move-in day was here, and for me, it was 7 days early for soccer pre-season. My room happened to face the soccer field. I felt that it was a good sign of things to come. I did not even know if I would make the women's soccer team. I did make varsity, and played soccer for four years, donning the nickname, "Emos."
My parents rarely missed a game and even left work early so that they would not miss kickoff. I played a few minutes each game of my freshman year, but only a few. I worked hard, stayed in shape in the off-season, and tried to find the major that was right for me. Sophomore year came and so did a position on the field on the outside and now I was officially an art history major.
I was earning the respect of my teammates and my coach, while at the same time learning how to study art. Then came my best year on the field, my junior year. A new nickname this year: Shannon MacMillan, at that time a member of the US National Team. Why? For a spell, every time I went into the game I scored.
That year, I came into my stride - on the field and in the classroom. My friends felt like family. Senior year seemed to fly by, and again, it was over. Senior year, we were picked to be near the top of the conference and even riding on that amazing junior year. Unlike high school, now it felt like it was over for good.
On those hot August days of pre-season, four years prior, I had no idea how much my college experience, complete with soccer, would mean to me years later - the late nights studying in the library, my teammates who became my friends, and the memories. All of those things would mean the world to me in a few short years once I was gone from that place.
As you look towards your college experience ,think outside the classroom. Maybe for you it is on the soccer field, or in the local hospital volunteering, or the alto section of the choir. Whatever your passion, whatever your interest we hope you explore it next year at Case!
PS: Add your comments! What sport did you play in high school? Did you have an nicknames as an athlete?
Posted by esc8 at November 15, 2005 02:29 PM
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