Lehigh University Athletics
From The Future: Dear First-Year Kate
7/28/2020 10:27:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse, Student Athlete, Flight 45
Dear First-Year Kate,
Back when you were considering coming to Lehigh, we drove through campus for the very first time in the dark (smart idea, Dad). There wasn't too much to see, but the buildings looked a lot like Hogwarts, and that was more than good enough. You didn't know it then, but I can tell you now that the decision we made to call this place home is one I am forever grateful for. However, there is a lot you didn't know your first year, and there certainly is so much that I have to tell you about the journey you're about to embark on for the next four years…
1. What's in a name? (… actually a lot)
With several "K" names on the team and a last name that's impossible to shorten, you will need a new field identity. What you didn't know then was that the field name Petey would become so much more than just your "lacrosse" name, but a part of you that I am proud to be, both on and off the field, and long after Lehigh. As you begin to meet new people and face new challenges, you will discover things about yourself that you never knew, and you'll accomplish things you never thought you could. This will require you to be confidently different from everyone else, and to be proud to be uniquely you. Throughout your four years here, you will go from "Kate", to "Petey", to "Peter", to "P-Train", and to even "Petunia". So thinking that your new nickname is just some silly joke that will wear off is a total waste of time… instead, I want you to embrace it. This nickname is going to teach you so much about who you are, and will bring a smile to your face whenever you hear it, even if you're being yelled at for dropping your 10th pass within the first five minutes of practice. And yes it's going to happen; embrace that too.
2. Organic chemistry is your friend
There are going to be lots of options and directions put in front of you and while you explore all the programs and classes, remember what your goals are. Majoring in STEM may not be the most common path, but it's what you want to do. I can promise that you will sound like a crazy person when you tell Coach you want to study neuroscience and philosophy, but it's going to require a crazy person to do it. Balancing the demands of lacrosse and your classes is going to be challenging, but with the support system at Lehigh, it will end up being an easy choice. So when you face complex chemical reactions that burn your lab coat, or when your Zebrafish dies in Bio, I will remind you of what the coaches will say to you for the next four years. "Petey, we have no idea what's going on over there in your side of the world, but we know our team is going to be an excellent case study for you in the future." So when you've drawn your 1000th hexagon to practice for your Orgo exam and burned through two reams of paper from the FML printers, don't give up. Because it's going to pay off in ways you never imagined, and more people than you know are going to have your back the whole way.
3. You actually are playing a winter sport
Growing up in Syracuse, you played plenty of lacrosse games in the freezing cold. And you also have shoveled a lot of snow. So when you find yourself shoveling ice chunks off Banko into a trash can, all will be right in the world. Alongside practices in the snow, there will also be plenty of 6 a.m. sessions when it's so dark you can only see your breath. Or practices so windy you can blame all your bad passes on being blown off course and actually get away with it. But if you think you'll be able to get way with putting your cold hands in your sweatshirt sleeves in front of Eric (Markovcy), you've got another thing coming. Despite all the crazy weather, when all is said and done, you would do anything to watch the sun rise on Frank Bank just one more time. Cherish every early morning (half-asleep) lap around the field. Appreciate every huddle in the men's bathroom to hide from the pouring rain. Don't take for granted each chance you get to put on those heinous white leggings for games. Because before you know it, all these firsts will become lasts, and you'll wish you could relive each and every one, no matter how cold.
4. When in doubt, grab a pool noodle
Contrary to popular belief, you actually don't need a lacrosse stick to play defense. So get ready, because the first time you get whacked with a football pad going for a ground ball certainly will not be the last. Do not question this methodology, just run to the pool, run to the pool and don't look back. This is one of the many wacky methods you'll learn for playing good lacrosse. And no, you did not accidentally show up to swim practice; you're using the pool noodle to learn to give with your arms. And sadly, you are not taking a mid-practice nap; you'll be using the pillow to block cutters. Although it seems like madness, I promise there is a method to it. Yes, it's going to sound crazy, and yes you will look like an idiot, but you'll actually learn something, and you'll be smiling the whole way through it. Day by day, you will love this crazy, wacky, and anything but ordinary team more than you ever thought you could. So when you feel you're starting to doubt yourself, just grab the noodle.
Over these next four years, you will be lucky enough to be on a team that becomes a family. Being a part of this team is going to give you more opportunities, laughter, and memories than you ever thought possible. Take advantage of each chance you get to be more vulnerable, more involved, and more authentically you. Oh and one more thing… don't you dare pass up the opportunity to fill up a to-go box after a tailgate. So buckle up, because this is about to be the best ride of your life.
Love,
Petey
Back when you were considering coming to Lehigh, we drove through campus for the very first time in the dark (smart idea, Dad). There wasn't too much to see, but the buildings looked a lot like Hogwarts, and that was more than good enough. You didn't know it then, but I can tell you now that the decision we made to call this place home is one I am forever grateful for. However, there is a lot you didn't know your first year, and there certainly is so much that I have to tell you about the journey you're about to embark on for the next four years…
1. What's in a name? (… actually a lot)
With several "K" names on the team and a last name that's impossible to shorten, you will need a new field identity. What you didn't know then was that the field name Petey would become so much more than just your "lacrosse" name, but a part of you that I am proud to be, both on and off the field, and long after Lehigh. As you begin to meet new people and face new challenges, you will discover things about yourself that you never knew, and you'll accomplish things you never thought you could. This will require you to be confidently different from everyone else, and to be proud to be uniquely you. Throughout your four years here, you will go from "Kate", to "Petey", to "Peter", to "P-Train", and to even "Petunia". So thinking that your new nickname is just some silly joke that will wear off is a total waste of time… instead, I want you to embrace it. This nickname is going to teach you so much about who you are, and will bring a smile to your face whenever you hear it, even if you're being yelled at for dropping your 10th pass within the first five minutes of practice. And yes it's going to happen; embrace that too.
2. Organic chemistry is your friend
There are going to be lots of options and directions put in front of you and while you explore all the programs and classes, remember what your goals are. Majoring in STEM may not be the most common path, but it's what you want to do. I can promise that you will sound like a crazy person when you tell Coach you want to study neuroscience and philosophy, but it's going to require a crazy person to do it. Balancing the demands of lacrosse and your classes is going to be challenging, but with the support system at Lehigh, it will end up being an easy choice. So when you face complex chemical reactions that burn your lab coat, or when your Zebrafish dies in Bio, I will remind you of what the coaches will say to you for the next four years. "Petey, we have no idea what's going on over there in your side of the world, but we know our team is going to be an excellent case study for you in the future." So when you've drawn your 1000th hexagon to practice for your Orgo exam and burned through two reams of paper from the FML printers, don't give up. Because it's going to pay off in ways you never imagined, and more people than you know are going to have your back the whole way.
3. You actually are playing a winter sport
Growing up in Syracuse, you played plenty of lacrosse games in the freezing cold. And you also have shoveled a lot of snow. So when you find yourself shoveling ice chunks off Banko into a trash can, all will be right in the world. Alongside practices in the snow, there will also be plenty of 6 a.m. sessions when it's so dark you can only see your breath. Or practices so windy you can blame all your bad passes on being blown off course and actually get away with it. But if you think you'll be able to get way with putting your cold hands in your sweatshirt sleeves in front of Eric (Markovcy), you've got another thing coming. Despite all the crazy weather, when all is said and done, you would do anything to watch the sun rise on Frank Bank just one more time. Cherish every early morning (half-asleep) lap around the field. Appreciate every huddle in the men's bathroom to hide from the pouring rain. Don't take for granted each chance you get to put on those heinous white leggings for games. Because before you know it, all these firsts will become lasts, and you'll wish you could relive each and every one, no matter how cold.
4. When in doubt, grab a pool noodle
Contrary to popular belief, you actually don't need a lacrosse stick to play defense. So get ready, because the first time you get whacked with a football pad going for a ground ball certainly will not be the last. Do not question this methodology, just run to the pool, run to the pool and don't look back. This is one of the many wacky methods you'll learn for playing good lacrosse. And no, you did not accidentally show up to swim practice; you're using the pool noodle to learn to give with your arms. And sadly, you are not taking a mid-practice nap; you'll be using the pillow to block cutters. Although it seems like madness, I promise there is a method to it. Yes, it's going to sound crazy, and yes you will look like an idiot, but you'll actually learn something, and you'll be smiling the whole way through it. Day by day, you will love this crazy, wacky, and anything but ordinary team more than you ever thought you could. So when you feel you're starting to doubt yourself, just grab the noodle.
Over these next four years, you will be lucky enough to be on a team that becomes a family. Being a part of this team is going to give you more opportunities, laughter, and memories than you ever thought possible. Take advantage of each chance you get to be more vulnerable, more involved, and more authentically you. Oh and one more thing… don't you dare pass up the opportunity to fill up a to-go box after a tailgate. So buckle up, because this is about to be the best ride of your life.
Love,
Petey
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