Lehigh University Athletics
From The Future: Dear First-Year Buck…
5/4/2018 10:29:00 AM | Baseball, Student Athlete
Dear First-Year Buck,
I am writing this after four years that has included more than you would ever think. I'm assuming you will be reading this as you are about to embark on your first few days of class and practice, as a wide-eyed and eager freshman. Even though we both know writing about stuff like this, the "deep and cliché" stuff, has never been all that hard for us, I spent the first few hours staring at a blank computer screen, thinking of the memories crammed into the blur that has been four years of college. I spent these hours thinking about how many amazing people you will encounter, how many incredible moments will be shared with them, and the amount of knowledge you will be presented with in and out of the classroom. I spent these hours skimming through pictures from your first day on campus, to the latest ones showing the tail end of your career. I read through some old notes and reminders you will use as tokens to stay the course when the going gets tough.
The words and suggestions I am about to write will not necessarily apply for the short term future, but as more of guidelines when you reach your highest highs, and lowest lows. Instead of rambling, I tried my best to break up my thoughts into some main points I saw most important for your development as a baseball player, and more importantly, a person.
Get ready to fail.
In high school, playing three sports and getting good grades did not come easy, but you were able to have a nice career. Reality sets in quick when you realize you are (as Dad says) back to the "bottom of the totem pole"; a freshman reliever that is taking the bucket during batting practice. Reality sets in quick when you realize your colleagues next to you in calculus class scored 40 points higher than you on your first exam. Reality sets in quick when you think you have so much to say about yourself and so much to show, but you haven't earned anything yet. To keep it blunt, maybe you are not as smart or as talented as you thought you were. Do not let this shake your confidence, but you must continue to remind yourself that failure is a good thing. You will never once be the best player or best pitcher on your team.
When the going gets tough, you need to get tougher. Among the failing grades, failures in baseball, and failures in different social settings, you will become a better person through it all. It may take a few tries, but see failure as an opportunity to grow rather than something that sets you back. It is much easier said than done, but will help you in the long run more than anything else.
Your best friends are your family, and family is EVERYTHING.
Making friends and being social is and will continue to be a strength of yours. What you may not realize is the caliber of people you will choose to surround yourself with during your four years. The team you are about to join is outstanding not because of the way they play the game of baseball, but because of the character they show to represent the team. Choose to be selfless and do anything for your friends, not just because they are your teammates, but because they choose to challenge you to be the best version of yourself on a daily basis. Cherish the times you have with your best friends, especially those in the same class as you.
In addition, value the type of people you choose to surround yourself with outside of your team. You will develop unique relationships with those you have class with, those you study with, those you share similar interests as, or even a group of non-baseball athletes you choose to eat lunch with every day. What is so special about where you chose to go to school is that you will encounter so many different people coming from all different parts of the world. Being from a small town, this is something new and exciting. Make the most of it, and continue to allow those around you to push you to become a better person.
You have two ears and one mouth, use them proportionally.
Through experiences, successes, and failures, you will always feel like you have plenty to say. One of the most important lessons you will learn as you continue your growth and development these four years is to listen rather than speak up. Often times, when people talk, they are only talking about things they know or feel comfortable talking about. It will take you a while to realize this is what you do more often than not. Listening not only benefits you because you can learn, but because you can form unique and strong relationships with those you are listening to. In four years, you should make it your goal to listen and learn from everyone around you, since college is the perfect time for you to do this. These lessons you learn will serve you well as you enter the next chapter of your life, a chapter which you would never see coming as a high school student who thinks he is an engineer with a knack for chemistry. Listening opens doors and leads you to discoveries you never thought possible. In times of distress, times of success, or anywhere in between, choose to take a step back and use your ears instead of your mouth.
Give respect, and expect the same thing.
One of your favorite teammates, favorite people, and best friends will teach you early on the importance of giving respect, and expecting the same from others. No matter the situation, realize that the loyalty, commitment, and dedication you show towards your teammates and classmates can be tangible and not easily replicated. Those around you will not respect you for the amount of innings you throw or the grades you get. They will respect you for the type of person you choose the be; the person who ALWAYS puts others before himself. Being selfless allows your team to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you will do anything it takes to have the TEAM be successful, not yourself. Even though at times it will be frustrating, and at times you may not feel like what you say has value, it always will. Do not allow other people to disrespect the way you approach the game and the sacrifices you make for the team. Because after all, there is no greater glory than reaching the top of the highest mountain with your brothers. If you give respect, and demand the same from others, you will continue to reach new heights as players, but more-so as people.
What is popular isn't always right, and what's right isn't always popular.
This is a lesson you have always learned from your parents, and a phrase you learned from one of the best leaders of young men you've ever come across. It will be more true than ever as you experience a level of independence you have yet to experience in your life. College will allow you develop as a young man and fend for yourself. Whether or not you put in the extra work in the classroom, stay and finish that extra set, or invest time in taking care of yourself is ENTIRELY on you. There will be distractions, but do not let them deter you from the ultimate goals. You will be fortunate ( as mentioned earlier) to have friends around you that will not allow you to be complacent or settle for mediocrity. Work hard now, and get rewarded later. It is pretty simple. Doing the right thing is clear, but not always easy to do. Do not let your values or standards be lowered by those around you, and continue to choose to do what you feel is right. It may not be popular, and may be disputed by some of your best friends. Stick to your guns, and practice what you preach.
Life isn't fair.
The game of baseball is said to be a microcosm of life in many ways. The unpredictability of baseball and lessons the game provides you can be seen from whoever decides to step on the diamond any given day. Baseball is a game in which many times, the ball does not bounce your way, and sometimes, you may do everything right and still not be rewarded. AS IS LIFE.
In your senior season, a year in which so much was expected, promised, and looked forward to, your best friend, mentor, and dad, will be completely blindsided by something you never thought would be possible. The ensuing months will be difficult to see someone who is and will always be such a rock, recover from something so unexpected. Even though life was not fair to him, Dad will show you what it is like to persevere and be strong. In addition to this, your best friend's family, the Bonshaks, will lose someone who treated you like a son for four years. You will question the reality of a situation, and question why bad things have to happen to such wonderful people. Your family will go through tough times, but you will go through them together. God sometimes gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers, and you, your selfless brother, your loving mom, and dad who will never lose his fight, will fight together. This will change your life. And it will only make you stronger and a better person. Even when things seem like they will never get better, they will.
With all of this said, enjoy everything. Lehigh is going to provide you with an unbelievable experience you will be forever grateful for. As a senior about to finish the final lap, all I can say is savor everything, because it will go faster than you think. Don't blink. Best of luck to you, and make sure you show up fifteen minutes early for your first ever team meeting tomorrow.
LUBE till the Day I Die,
Senior Buck
I am writing this after four years that has included more than you would ever think. I'm assuming you will be reading this as you are about to embark on your first few days of class and practice, as a wide-eyed and eager freshman. Even though we both know writing about stuff like this, the "deep and cliché" stuff, has never been all that hard for us, I spent the first few hours staring at a blank computer screen, thinking of the memories crammed into the blur that has been four years of college. I spent these hours thinking about how many amazing people you will encounter, how many incredible moments will be shared with them, and the amount of knowledge you will be presented with in and out of the classroom. I spent these hours skimming through pictures from your first day on campus, to the latest ones showing the tail end of your career. I read through some old notes and reminders you will use as tokens to stay the course when the going gets tough.
The words and suggestions I am about to write will not necessarily apply for the short term future, but as more of guidelines when you reach your highest highs, and lowest lows. Instead of rambling, I tried my best to break up my thoughts into some main points I saw most important for your development as a baseball player, and more importantly, a person.
Get ready to fail.
In high school, playing three sports and getting good grades did not come easy, but you were able to have a nice career. Reality sets in quick when you realize you are (as Dad says) back to the "bottom of the totem pole"; a freshman reliever that is taking the bucket during batting practice. Reality sets in quick when you realize your colleagues next to you in calculus class scored 40 points higher than you on your first exam. Reality sets in quick when you think you have so much to say about yourself and so much to show, but you haven't earned anything yet. To keep it blunt, maybe you are not as smart or as talented as you thought you were. Do not let this shake your confidence, but you must continue to remind yourself that failure is a good thing. You will never once be the best player or best pitcher on your team.
When the going gets tough, you need to get tougher. Among the failing grades, failures in baseball, and failures in different social settings, you will become a better person through it all. It may take a few tries, but see failure as an opportunity to grow rather than something that sets you back. It is much easier said than done, but will help you in the long run more than anything else.
Your best friends are your family, and family is EVERYTHING.
Making friends and being social is and will continue to be a strength of yours. What you may not realize is the caliber of people you will choose to surround yourself with during your four years. The team you are about to join is outstanding not because of the way they play the game of baseball, but because of the character they show to represent the team. Choose to be selfless and do anything for your friends, not just because they are your teammates, but because they choose to challenge you to be the best version of yourself on a daily basis. Cherish the times you have with your best friends, especially those in the same class as you.
In addition, value the type of people you choose to surround yourself with outside of your team. You will develop unique relationships with those you have class with, those you study with, those you share similar interests as, or even a group of non-baseball athletes you choose to eat lunch with every day. What is so special about where you chose to go to school is that you will encounter so many different people coming from all different parts of the world. Being from a small town, this is something new and exciting. Make the most of it, and continue to allow those around you to push you to become a better person.
You have two ears and one mouth, use them proportionally.
Through experiences, successes, and failures, you will always feel like you have plenty to say. One of the most important lessons you will learn as you continue your growth and development these four years is to listen rather than speak up. Often times, when people talk, they are only talking about things they know or feel comfortable talking about. It will take you a while to realize this is what you do more often than not. Listening not only benefits you because you can learn, but because you can form unique and strong relationships with those you are listening to. In four years, you should make it your goal to listen and learn from everyone around you, since college is the perfect time for you to do this. These lessons you learn will serve you well as you enter the next chapter of your life, a chapter which you would never see coming as a high school student who thinks he is an engineer with a knack for chemistry. Listening opens doors and leads you to discoveries you never thought possible. In times of distress, times of success, or anywhere in between, choose to take a step back and use your ears instead of your mouth.
Give respect, and expect the same thing.
One of your favorite teammates, favorite people, and best friends will teach you early on the importance of giving respect, and expecting the same from others. No matter the situation, realize that the loyalty, commitment, and dedication you show towards your teammates and classmates can be tangible and not easily replicated. Those around you will not respect you for the amount of innings you throw or the grades you get. They will respect you for the type of person you choose the be; the person who ALWAYS puts others before himself. Being selfless allows your team to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you will do anything it takes to have the TEAM be successful, not yourself. Even though at times it will be frustrating, and at times you may not feel like what you say has value, it always will. Do not allow other people to disrespect the way you approach the game and the sacrifices you make for the team. Because after all, there is no greater glory than reaching the top of the highest mountain with your brothers. If you give respect, and demand the same from others, you will continue to reach new heights as players, but more-so as people.
What is popular isn't always right, and what's right isn't always popular.
This is a lesson you have always learned from your parents, and a phrase you learned from one of the best leaders of young men you've ever come across. It will be more true than ever as you experience a level of independence you have yet to experience in your life. College will allow you develop as a young man and fend for yourself. Whether or not you put in the extra work in the classroom, stay and finish that extra set, or invest time in taking care of yourself is ENTIRELY on you. There will be distractions, but do not let them deter you from the ultimate goals. You will be fortunate ( as mentioned earlier) to have friends around you that will not allow you to be complacent or settle for mediocrity. Work hard now, and get rewarded later. It is pretty simple. Doing the right thing is clear, but not always easy to do. Do not let your values or standards be lowered by those around you, and continue to choose to do what you feel is right. It may not be popular, and may be disputed by some of your best friends. Stick to your guns, and practice what you preach.
Life isn't fair.
The game of baseball is said to be a microcosm of life in many ways. The unpredictability of baseball and lessons the game provides you can be seen from whoever decides to step on the diamond any given day. Baseball is a game in which many times, the ball does not bounce your way, and sometimes, you may do everything right and still not be rewarded. AS IS LIFE.
In your senior season, a year in which so much was expected, promised, and looked forward to, your best friend, mentor, and dad, will be completely blindsided by something you never thought would be possible. The ensuing months will be difficult to see someone who is and will always be such a rock, recover from something so unexpected. Even though life was not fair to him, Dad will show you what it is like to persevere and be strong. In addition to this, your best friend's family, the Bonshaks, will lose someone who treated you like a son for four years. You will question the reality of a situation, and question why bad things have to happen to such wonderful people. Your family will go through tough times, but you will go through them together. God sometimes gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers, and you, your selfless brother, your loving mom, and dad who will never lose his fight, will fight together. This will change your life. And it will only make you stronger and a better person. Even when things seem like they will never get better, they will.
With all of this said, enjoy everything. Lehigh is going to provide you with an unbelievable experience you will be forever grateful for. As a senior about to finish the final lap, all I can say is savor everything, because it will go faster than you think. Don't blink. Best of luck to you, and make sure you show up fifteen minutes early for your first ever team meeting tomorrow.
LUBE till the Day I Die,
Senior Buck
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Sunday, May 17
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