Ending a four-year endeavor

By Erin Hussey

'Three weeks left," my roommate and fellow teammate whispered to me during the second reading of last Sunday's mass. I looked over and smiled. But while some might shed tears and others jump for joy at the sight of the end of a season, or in my case, a four year collegiate athletic journey, I found myself wondering, now what?

Yes, it will be wonderful to not wake up in the five o'clock hour every morning. But at the same time, there is something completely irreplaceable about being on the water when the sun comes up.

Not having the distinct minty scent of icyhot follow me like a shadow or feeling like an 80-yearold woman with arthritic knees and an aching back will also be quite refreshing. But to be honest, I will miss feeling the pains of undying commitment.

For the past fifteen years, sports have played a huge part of my life. Through years of gymnastics, swimming, softball, an eight year run with volleyball, and a final four year adventure with rowing, I have loved the camaraderie of being on a team, the challenges defeat brings, and the satisfaction of beating a rival. Knowing you have given your every fiber to being greater than yourself is empowering.

Sports have made me a stronger and more compassionate person. So now, approaching my final races as a competitive athlete I can't help but feel a bit anxious. It's just like that feeling you get the split second you decide to jump off the pool deck into the deep, icy water. You don't really want to go in, but there's no turning back.

In the pre-graduation book my dad sent me two weeks ago, "Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes," T.S. Eliot is quoted, "What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning."

In three weeks, I won't be an NCAA athlete anymore. That part of my life will be over, but I have a feeling I haven't quite finished my run with sports.

I will probably be that person next to you on the treadmill looking over your shoulder comparing your speed against mine. After a few days of sleeping in, I might even find myself signing up for an adult rowing club. Or perhaps later down the road, like many ex-athletes, I will return to the competitive world of sports and coach.

But for now, I still have three weeks left. And I still have one last breath before hitting the unknown depths of the icy water.

* Contact Erin Hussey at (408) 551-1918 or ehussey@scu.edu