Growing up, my parents advocated for me to play a variety of sports, believing that my competitive and driven nature would serve me well. Sports were not only enjoyable, but also taught me valuable life lessons. While I tried a diverse range of sports, at eight years old, I decided that three were most exciting to me–football, baseball, and basketball. These particular sports taught me to stay motivated and remain calm in tough, dire situations.

Being a multi-sport athlete, I experienced countless different forms of coaching and sometimes even attended multiple events in a singular day. At only ten years old, I would have a basketball game at 7AM, a baseball game at 9AM, and a football game at 1PM. Despite being busy and exhausted, I was eager to continue battling on the court and fields, yet still faced adversities as any athelete does. My first injury was sustained during a soccer game, but I refused to leave the field, despite my coach’s worries. This was the first time I overcame an obstacle and demonstrated resilience in athletics.

One of the most difficult tasks as a multi-sport athlete is the amount of information we absorb in each practice and game. Being coached on my baseball swing, learning plays in football, and improving my shot in basketball were not easy to accomplish simulataneously. A playbook in football has anywhere from 10 to 100 plays, depending on your coach’s scheme, and a playbook in basketball has fewer plays but more moving pieces. In baseball, there a lot less plays but you have to learn base path signs, 1st and 3rd situations, and other specific plays. Evidently, there is always a lot occurring in sports behind the scenes that players have to endure.

Although sports can be difficult and stressful, being a multi-sport athlete has taught me some of the most significant life lessons that I carry with me every day. Being a coachable individual, after years of training and hard work, has transformed my academic endeavors and personal relationships. This trait has been particulary valuable throughout the last four years of being the quarterback of the Wesleyan football team while balancing a rigorous class schedule.