Lehigh University Athletics
From the Future: Dear First-Year Amy...
2/22/2016 5:09:00 PM | Student Athlete
Dear First Year Amy,
I'm proud of you. You have made the decision to travel over 1,000 miles from home to challenge yourself both academically and athletically at Lehigh. Not many Division I athletes have the opportunity to also participate in an Honors Integrated Business and Engineering Program. Take pride in the fact that you can be a part of these programs. It won't be easy, but trust the process. The journey will be worth it. Keep these four things in mind as you fully embrace the challenge of being a student athlete at Lehigh.
First, never forget that hard work pays off. You'll spend countless hours studying Calc III in FML, accounting in Rauch, and preparing IBE presentations in Wilbur. You'll devote summers to getting in the best shape of your life and getting thousands of setting reps. You'll spend extra time before and after practice running in circles and setting into your favorite target. Enjoy the grind. Put 100% effort into your academics. Put 100% effort into your athletics. I know you can do it. Don't ever settle. Always demand excellence from yourself. Your teammates deserve it. Those hours will pay off, and you'll finish Lehigh with a great job and an amazing volleyball career.
Next, be curious. Explore all of the opportunities Lehigh has to offer. Learn as much as you can while exploring and playing in China with your teammates. Eat the pine nuts and ants. They're good! Take that spring break trip with other student athletes to Croatia to learn about Leadership in Caroati. Your new friends will even convince you to dress up as a Smurf for the city's Carnival. Meet some incredible people at the US Naval Academy Leadership Conference. Get involved with the Lehigh Leadership Academy. You'll learn countless lessons in P.R.I.D.E., Emerging Leaders, and Legacies. You will meet some of your biggest supporters. Learn as much as you can from these people. Apply to be a SAM. I can't wait for you to meet this outstanding group of people. They really are the cream of the crop. Stay curious. Participation in these programs will have a crucial impact on the person you will become.
Next, be vulnerable. You can't be Superwoman. You probably shouldn't take Statistics, Calc III, and Physics II in season. Learn from your mistakes, and don't be afraid to share them with others. Contrary to what you think, it is okay to speak as a freshman. You won't have the courage as a freshman- but don't give up. Your team is counting on you to eventually fulfill an extremely vocal role as a captain. You have so much room for growth, and you can't do it alone. Use Julie, Patt, SAM, PRIDE, Emerging Leaders, and Legacies as a bridge to get you there. But always remember you can fake it 'til you make it.
Above all, be grateful. Thank your parents for flying out to every game. Thank your coaches for watching that horrible game film time and time again so you can see what you can improve upon. Thank your teammates for bringing you dinner in the library. Thank your professors for holding special office hours when you have to miss class. Thank your trainers for making you an ice bath after a preseason night session, and then waking up early so you can heat the next morning before your early session. Thank Kim for washing your absolutely disgusting kneepads. Thank Dom for driving over the mountain to run a workout. Thank Julie for being an amazing mentor. Yes, thank Coach for making you run that extra 300 or two. All of these people truly care about you and their goal is to make you the best student, athlete, and person you can be. Never forget that.
As Clint Bruce, a former Navy Seal says, "Hold fast. Stay true. I expect much of you."
Catch ya later,
Senior Amy
