It’s that time of year again, school is back in session which means our team practices are starting up as well.
It’s a little strange coming back to the Drake women’s crew team and being an upperclassman now. Gone are the days of being a novice or a bumbling sophomore, I’m now looked to as someone who has an idea of what’s going on.
Before school started, Drake athletics hosted a welcome back picnic for all the student-athletes. It’s a time for us to be re-acquainted with each other and to hear about the theme for this year and re-affirm our commitment to the Bulldog Way.
The theme for this year was “All In,” and that really resonated with me. Sandy Hatfield Clubb, the Athletic Director, challenged us all to support one another and realize the teams that win championships are the ones with members who are fully committed to one another and realize that it takes more than one superstar to win a game.
That directly applies to our team because for us to win races, we have to be perfectly in sync with the girl in front of us. We have to rely on one another to meet the speed and rate changes and pull together in order to win.
The theme of “All In” was our team’s motto for last year, and with so many empty spots left behind from seniors who graduated, it is as applicable now more than ever.
Once Hatfield Clubb finished her speech, all of the athletes circled around the Drake Bulldog logo in the center of the Knapp Court and pledged their commitment to the Bulldog Way.
However, when women’s basketball player Kyndal Clark stepped up to speak, she issued another challenge to us. She directly challenged us to support each other at sporting events and to become more actively involved in our community. I really took that to heart, and it’s something that our team will be working on.
Everyone needs a support system. Having family, friends and fans cheering you on really makes a difference. This is my challenge to all of the students: Come out and support your teams. It’s going to be an exciting year for Drake Athletics and if we are all “All In,” the sky is the limit.
