Over the past few weeks, attempting to face the end of my RMU soccer career, I’ve caught myself sometimes slipping into this dream-like state, reminiscing over the time I’ve spent here at Robert Morris.
I don’t believe that recapping my time here is about listing all the things I’ve done. They’re perishable and have, if not, will soon come to an end. It’s about reflecting on the values that I now keep close to me because of all the things I’ve done.
My freshman year was my year to integrate and adapt. I had to learn to adjust to the high expectation, vigorous regiment and the fast paced game of Division I soccer.
I had to adapt to the requirements of being successful in my academics. Not really knowing how to gauge the university and science-major workload, I had to be prepared to devote as much time to my studies in order to set myself up for success. Lastly, I had to adapt to the social environment of being in college.
Knowing the kind of person I was before college, the things I would do/not do was important in establishing the people I wanted to be associated with. That was very important to me.
My time since then has broadened to heights and depths that I would have never expected it to. Pertaining to soccer, though I haven’t been fortunate enough to garner much team success, I have been blessed to have personal successes that I am thoroughly proud of.
More important than the plaques and the recognition, my success story in my sport derives from my development as an individual. Soccer has taught me valuable lessons about character, communication, work ethic, motivation and being a leader as a whole.
It has taught me about working hard for something greater than yourself, peaking your physical ability, and leaving your heart on that pitch. I will miss it.
The personal successes I’ve attained outside of soccer have made me exceedingly proud to be a Robert Morris student. I have been fortunate enough to be involved in a variety of things on this campus.
Being involved has allowed me to have a purpose that goes beyond self satisfaction. It has forced me to face a world with boundaries with a far greater circumference than that of Robert Morris, Pittsburgh, or even the United States.
I’ve found that it is okay to want to change the world, and in actuality, it is a very feasible goal.
Be the change! I’m reminded of this everyday when I see the shuttle with the “Change A Life” ad as I’m nearing the gazebo.
To me, it means being the change you wish to see in the world, daring to be different, being an advocate for social injustice and finding the resources to accomplish your goals.
Though it might not have been taught to me in any of my classes, this is one thing that has truly moved me, and one that will continue to motivate me wherever life takes me next.
Whether it was through my peers or from an article I read in The New York Times I pick up everyday at Hale, I’m thankful to Robert Morris for being the avenue in which I’ve learned this.
Lastly, thank you to my coach, Bill Denniston, for taking a chance on me, without seeing me play. Thank you to my professors for being some of the best faculty a student could ask for.
And thank you to my peers for making my time at Robert Morris something I can never forget. Go Colonials!
