How organized sports shaped my personal and professional development

¶ … born participator. That's why I've been involved with organized team sports since I was nine years old. My family and I were both surprised when my coaches decided to place me in a league two years higher than the one for my age group; I was playing with teenagers before I was ten. This early introduction to competition and teamwork remained with me throughout junior high and high school, for not a year has gone by that I have not been a member of a team. Basketball sparked my interest more than any other sport during my middle school years, and when I entered high school I was able to play for both junior and senior varsity teams. But even that wasn't enough; I was also the school football team's tight end. For many of my friends, it was either sports or schoolwork, and I know that some of them had to choose one over the other. Many students have a hard time juggling their extracurricular activities, especially those that were so time-consuming and demanding as varsity sports. However, because playing with a team is such an important part of my life, and because sports come naturally to me, I have always been able to keep my focus on academics even as I succeeded on the court or on the playing field.

Fortunately, I have been able to reap the physical and mental benefits of playing sports without losing my focus on the future and on my professional goals. My passion for sports has greatly enhanced my self-esteem, my personal vision, and my energy levels. I have made lifetime friends through organized sports and in general, athletics have enhanced my life. Most importantly, I have learned how to apply myself fully and maximize my potential while at the same time working with others in a collaborative environment.