Sunday May 3, 2009
This is the last day of the Flying Pig Marathon. Today we had to get up at 5am and be down at the finish line at 6am. It wasn’t easy getting up when the sun wasn’t even out yet, and the rain was misty and slightly chilly weather. Even after working two hard and long days before today. this was the event that made all the previous hard work make sense. We all met up at the Mount again and car pooled down to the Marathon. We didn’t know what to expect on the ride down due to already having the race going on by this time. We where worried about finding parking. When we got down to Newport we just got there in time because there was already some runners starting to running down two streets over from where we parked. We walked over to bridge to Cincinnati and the finish line where we would be working as “Info pigs”. Our duty today was to assist all runners and families where they could go if they where lost or didn’t know where something was.
Many of the main questions that I got asked was “where do I go to pick up my claim and belongings off the shuttle buses?” We also had to make sure that all runners had a clear path to get out of the marathon and find their families in an orderly manner. There were thousands of runners coming out the exit of the marathon and one of my jobs was to make sure they did this in a safe order. There was a list of rules that we where given and the main rule that they wanted to too make sure was followed and no re-entry of the gates for runners or even non runners. A lot of family member’s wanted to go into the gates where the runners would be coming out to congratulate them right away. There isn’t enough room or space for all runners and family members to be inside the gates. I had one man step right in front of me and had to ask him to please step behind me. At this time when I said this he wasn’t very happy with me and got an attitude with me. I tried to be calm with him because I was representing the Flying Pig Marathon. After a few minutes of listening to this man complain wanting to move where the barricades were set up, another worker came over and helped me out. I found this hard but also a learning experience about what all goes on about keeping participants and their families in order.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Flying Pig Marathon 2009: Saturday May 2, 2009
Saturday May 2, 2009
We knew this day was going to be a long day. We were told Friday what they need us three to get done in order to help. We were told to get there at 9am and help type in all of the data and information for each and every runner that wasn’t into the computer data yet. Our job today wasn’t as much running around or standing on our feet, but rather to use our abilities with computers and keyboard skills to get the work done/ Josh told us what we needed to do and showed us what was to be expected and let us do the job. I found it hard at times to read some hand writings. I didn’t want to make any mistakes so at times Brittanee and I would consult with each other and ask what letter do you think this is? We wanted to get to our task at hand but also had to make sure we didn’t make mistakes.
Kellie was needed to help at the registration desk with lat registrations, similar to the work we did on Friday. For about four hours Brittanee and I just worked non stop and we were surprised how much we got done. I think it was easier for us because our generation is used to working on computers and we know our way around computer programs. After about the 1st four hours we walked around to give our backs and fingers a break and had some lunch they had for us. I learned a lot about the importance of good records that are needed to make sure this huge community event was organized and successful. All in all, it really was fun and informational at the same time.
We knew this day was going to be a long day. We were told Friday what they need us three to get done in order to help. We were told to get there at 9am and help type in all of the data and information for each and every runner that wasn’t into the computer data yet. Our job today wasn’t as much running around or standing on our feet, but rather to use our abilities with computers and keyboard skills to get the work done/ Josh told us what we needed to do and showed us what was to be expected and let us do the job. I found it hard at times to read some hand writings. I didn’t want to make any mistakes so at times Brittanee and I would consult with each other and ask what letter do you think this is? We wanted to get to our task at hand but also had to make sure we didn’t make mistakes.
Kellie was needed to help at the registration desk with lat registrations, similar to the work we did on Friday. For about four hours Brittanee and I just worked non stop and we were surprised how much we got done. I think it was easier for us because our generation is used to working on computers and we know our way around computer programs. After about the 1st four hours we walked around to give our backs and fingers a break and had some lunch they had for us. I learned a lot about the importance of good records that are needed to make sure this huge community event was organized and successful. All in all, it really was fun and informational at the same time.
Flying Pig Marathon 2009: Friday May 1, 2009
Friday May 1, 2009:
On Friday May 1, 2009, Kellie Kammer, Brittanee Brauning and myself all met up at the College of Mount St. Josephs parking lot to car pool and all drive and be together going down to they Convention Center in Down Town Cincinnati. This is where we will be working and helping out with anything the organizers needed at the Flying Pig Expo. When we first got there we knew we had to find Mary to get assigned tour work location and to get our assignment on what she wanted us to help her with. At first we just help set up with getting information packets together with maps, questions about that marathon participants might have together to hand out at the beginning of the expo. Myself and Kellie started to get the packets of information together while Brittanee and a few high school volunteers handed out the packets. One thing that I learn when I was putting together the packets of information is that it is time consuming. A lot of people don’t think about the behind the scene little things that all make a organization come together. I didn’t think that we where going to be handing out papers but come to find out that the only reason we got placed to hand out papers was because they thought us three were part of the high school volunteers.
After about less than an hour Mary came over and found us and told us that she needs our help and fast. The three of us looked at her concern on her face and knew it had to be something important. We put down all our packets and followed Mary to help assist her in the problem she needed us to help with. When we walked over to the area there was a huge line of people all waiting to get their information for late registrations for the marathons, half marathon, relays, 10k, 5k and all little piglet events. Mary then introduced us to Jim and said “Jim these three ladies are here to help you.” He then quickly gave us a quick run though of what he needs us to do. All three of us picked up the task at hand pretty fast. We knew what we had to in order to help assist all the people waiting in the lines.
We where assisted to check and register all runners, their bib numbers and running chips for their up coming event or marathon of choice. I found myself learning a lot about myself and how I had to handle each and ever questions or concern that would come up. I had to multitask for each customer that would come up to me. I knew that it was very important that I did each and every step in order to insure that nothing would get lost or not registered. Also many of the customers that would come up with me would be come over whelmed with the amount of information they need to accomplish before getting their event packet. I did have some customers that had some attitudes and I knew that I had to be very professional when handling each situation. I was now working for the Flying Pig marathon and didn’t want to disappoint them. From about 12 pm until 7 pm I was working non stop. This was a lot of physical work on the body both mental and physical. I had to keep my mind focused and also had to keep running back and forth to get each different packed of information for the events. At times many families would come up register all family members at once. It was very hard to keep all their information straight and not mix any bib numbers with the wrong event. It was a lot easier for me to multitask, talk with customers and also keep organized due to my skills I have learn in other jobs. Of course, it helped that I was a runner in the Flying Pig Marathon for the past three years and I was able to answer questions that I myself had the first few years I was a participant.
Even though I found it hard as to the physical aspect of the job, I really liked having the ability to help others and direct them to the right area of the expo. I found it a lot easier for me to help other with questions asked because I’ve been in a few marathons myself. I know all the little things that help make the experience a lot easier and enjoyable. I tried to tell Kellie and Brittanee about many of my own personal experiences also.
On Friday May 1, 2009, Kellie Kammer, Brittanee Brauning and myself all met up at the College of Mount St. Josephs parking lot to car pool and all drive and be together going down to they Convention Center in Down Town Cincinnati. This is where we will be working and helping out with anything the organizers needed at the Flying Pig Expo. When we first got there we knew we had to find Mary to get assigned tour work location and to get our assignment on what she wanted us to help her with. At first we just help set up with getting information packets together with maps, questions about that marathon participants might have together to hand out at the beginning of the expo. Myself and Kellie started to get the packets of information together while Brittanee and a few high school volunteers handed out the packets. One thing that I learn when I was putting together the packets of information is that it is time consuming. A lot of people don’t think about the behind the scene little things that all make a organization come together. I didn’t think that we where going to be handing out papers but come to find out that the only reason we got placed to hand out papers was because they thought us three were part of the high school volunteers.
After about less than an hour Mary came over and found us and told us that she needs our help and fast. The three of us looked at her concern on her face and knew it had to be something important. We put down all our packets and followed Mary to help assist her in the problem she needed us to help with. When we walked over to the area there was a huge line of people all waiting to get their information for late registrations for the marathons, half marathon, relays, 10k, 5k and all little piglet events. Mary then introduced us to Jim and said “Jim these three ladies are here to help you.” He then quickly gave us a quick run though of what he needs us to do. All three of us picked up the task at hand pretty fast. We knew what we had to in order to help assist all the people waiting in the lines.
We where assisted to check and register all runners, their bib numbers and running chips for their up coming event or marathon of choice. I found myself learning a lot about myself and how I had to handle each and ever questions or concern that would come up. I had to multitask for each customer that would come up to me. I knew that it was very important that I did each and every step in order to insure that nothing would get lost or not registered. Also many of the customers that would come up with me would be come over whelmed with the amount of information they need to accomplish before getting their event packet. I did have some customers that had some attitudes and I knew that I had to be very professional when handling each situation. I was now working for the Flying Pig marathon and didn’t want to disappoint them. From about 12 pm until 7 pm I was working non stop. This was a lot of physical work on the body both mental and physical. I had to keep my mind focused and also had to keep running back and forth to get each different packed of information for the events. At times many families would come up register all family members at once. It was very hard to keep all their information straight and not mix any bib numbers with the wrong event. It was a lot easier for me to multitask, talk with customers and also keep organized due to my skills I have learn in other jobs. Of course, it helped that I was a runner in the Flying Pig Marathon for the past three years and I was able to answer questions that I myself had the first few years I was a participant.
Even though I found it hard as to the physical aspect of the job, I really liked having the ability to help others and direct them to the right area of the expo. I found it a lot easier for me to help other with questions asked because I’ve been in a few marathons myself. I know all the little things that help make the experience a lot easier and enjoyable. I tried to tell Kellie and Brittanee about many of my own personal experiences also.
Behind the scenes: Warehouse in Kentucky
Behind the scenes: Warehouse in Kentucky Pre-Flying Pig Marathon 2009
April 17, 2009
Do you ever think about the work and effort that goes into the behind the scenes or getting a marathon together. Brittanne, Kelli, and myself arranged to get arrange some quality service hours before and during the big weekend of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. After our first evening assisting with putting together welcome bags for the thousands of attendees, we asked Mary, the event coordinator, what else she wanted us to help out with so we could get our hours accomplished. She told us that they could really use our help in stuffing additional goodie bags for each and every participant in the events for the marathon weekend.
We were asked to meet the event coordination team at a warehouse in Kentucky. We all drove together on Friday to insure that we wouldn’t get lost and we definitely felt safer when were all together. When we got to the warehouse we saw long tables put together and a lot of boxes. Our task was to get all brochures and pamphlets and get them placed in piles on the long tables, to get them set up for the next days activities planned when high school students where going to come in and stuff the bags. A lot of the work was more physical work then mental work. At times we had to open boxes, tear them apart and get the thousands of brochures and pamphlets in piles to make the stuffing process a lot easier and faster. We worked very hard lifting boxes that evening getting the items organized and lined up for the next days volunteers. The entire process took approximately two hours for the three of us to set things up.
April 17, 2009
Do you ever think about the work and effort that goes into the behind the scenes or getting a marathon together. Brittanne, Kelli, and myself arranged to get arrange some quality service hours before and during the big weekend of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. After our first evening assisting with putting together welcome bags for the thousands of attendees, we asked Mary, the event coordinator, what else she wanted us to help out with so we could get our hours accomplished. She told us that they could really use our help in stuffing additional goodie bags for each and every participant in the events for the marathon weekend.
We were asked to meet the event coordination team at a warehouse in Kentucky. We all drove together on Friday to insure that we wouldn’t get lost and we definitely felt safer when were all together. When we got to the warehouse we saw long tables put together and a lot of boxes. Our task was to get all brochures and pamphlets and get them placed in piles on the long tables, to get them set up for the next days activities planned when high school students where going to come in and stuff the bags. A lot of the work was more physical work then mental work. At times we had to open boxes, tear them apart and get the thousands of brochures and pamphlets in piles to make the stuffing process a lot easier and faster. We worked very hard lifting boxes that evening getting the items organized and lined up for the next days volunteers. The entire process took approximately two hours for the three of us to set things up.
Service Learning Credit
United Methodist Church
As a college student I find it very lucky that I have the ability to go to college. Many people don’t even have the money or ability to go to college. On the first Tuesday of March, I was asked to go to United Methodist Church and work with young children at an after school program. Dr. Reed works with these under privileged children regularly. When I was asked to assist, I knew I couldn’t turn this opportunity down. I love working with kids and I was told that it was in lower Price Hill so I knew that many of these young kids didn’t have much or if any one to talk to or help them with everyday things.
I remember riding down with Father John and asking him what I was going to experience at the church. He told me Dr. Reed is helping United Methodist Church out to help give the kids in the area a better start and to keep them off the street from getting involved in drugs or other events that wouldn’t lead them to a positive road. I walked into the room where all the kids where starting to work on egg projects and talking about Jesus with the upcoming holiday Easter. I walked over to a table of young boys who where about four years old. I had to help assisted them with there egg projects. I found it hard at times to keep an eye on one little boy who wouldn’t stay in his chair he wanted to be everywhere. He even tried to run out of the door once. After working on their egg projects the kids were treated to some LaRossa’s pizza. A bonus was a drawing for their name to be called out of a drawing where they got a cookie. I had to deal with an issue of one boy in my little group of young boys who started to cry because he didn’t think he was going to get a cookie. He told me that his mom never buys him cookies because she doesn’t have any money. My heart dropped down to the floor when, I heard him say this to me. I couldn’t help but think about how when I was his age I wasn’t worried about getting cookies because my grandma and mom would always have them around.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The bond between us.
How can one of my nieces cling to me as if I was her own mother? My nieces Lauren always wants her “Sammie” no matter where or who she is with she is always asking for me. I love both my nieces just the same but I guess there is just a greater bond between us. Bailey will come to me but can’t quite say my name yet. If you where to ask Bailey if she wanted to play with Sammie or her very ball she would say her ball. On the other hand Lauren is quite different even when she is with or not with me she always wants her “Sammie” to save her. I always hear stories from her other aunts, grandmas and even her own mother and father about how when she does something wrong or gets into something she knows she shouldn’t be getting into she said “ I want Sammie”. I never want to favor one of my nieces over the other but I think there is just a greater bond that Lauren and I have.
Here we go again…
Last Monday my sister asked if I could watch her daughter Bailey for a few hours on Wednesday, but I told her I couldn’t because I had to meet with my group to work on a group project. I asked her why she needs me to watch her, because it wasn’t like her to not tell why she need me to help her out. I asked is everything okay and she said yes. But I had something in the back of my mind that kind of gave me the idea that she might be pregnant again. Then on Wednesday right as I was getting ready to leave to meet up with my group to work on our project she stop by my house. At this time I knew something was up. She came down to my room and told me guess what? And I said “What”. Then she replied ” I’m pregnant again”, “I said I knew it”. At this time I was very excited to have another nieces or nephew in the family. I just wish that everything works out and the baby to come will be healthy.
Easter Holiday back in action!
Do you remember back when you where younger and you would go over to a family members house after church on Easter and have brunch then all the kids would have to stay inside while the eggs are hidden out side for the Easter egg hunt? I will never forget all the members as a child when my cousins and I would have our family Easter egg hunts. The goal was always to find that five dollar egg and of course get the most eggs you can get for all that wonderful candy inside them.
Now that myself and most of my cousins are older we don’t have our annual Easter egg hunts. Until this year, the thrill of those earlier years, were only a memory. This year, I planed an Easter egg hunt for my two little nieces. Both Lauren and Bailey are at that age were they can grasps the concept of an “Easter egg hunt”. It was a lot of joy and bought back great memories of the fun I use to have when I took part in Easter egg hunts. Their personalities came through with their individual techniques to gather their eggs. Since one is 2 now and the other is 20 months old, they had similar excitement in the thrill of picking up one egg at a time and placing it in their baskets. Lauren’s basket was yellow, Bailey’s was purple. We were all laughing so hard when they run past 2-3 eggs to pick up one they saw, or when they stopped and wanted to see what was in the egg before getting another one. In the end, the younger niece had better technique and wasn’t afraid to climb up or crawl under bushes to pick up her eggs and Bailey’s basket was overflowing. I can’t wait for next years annual hunt.
Now that myself and most of my cousins are older we don’t have our annual Easter egg hunts. Until this year, the thrill of those earlier years, were only a memory. This year, I planed an Easter egg hunt for my two little nieces. Both Lauren and Bailey are at that age were they can grasps the concept of an “Easter egg hunt”. It was a lot of joy and bought back great memories of the fun I use to have when I took part in Easter egg hunts. Their personalities came through with their individual techniques to gather their eggs. Since one is 2 now and the other is 20 months old, they had similar excitement in the thrill of picking up one egg at a time and placing it in their baskets. Lauren’s basket was yellow, Bailey’s was purple. We were all laughing so hard when they run past 2-3 eggs to pick up one they saw, or when they stopped and wanted to see what was in the egg before getting another one. In the end, the younger niece had better technique and wasn’t afraid to climb up or crawl under bushes to pick up her eggs and Bailey’s basket was overflowing. I can’t wait for next years annual hunt.
Summer is Quickly Approaching!
This will be my third year coaching for Delhi swim team as you should all know by now if you have been reading my blogs. I want to try to make a few changes in the way that I will be coaching this year. When you are a coach of younger children, I’ve learned that you have to take your approaches a little bit different than, say if you were coaching older children. I find myself relating events or even using cartoons or funny stories that I know they like to get their attention.
Some of the changes I want to make this year in my coaching style is to have more weekly “swimmers of the week” to help motivate younger kids by showing that hard work does pay off in the long run. Yes, it may be summer time and you don’t want to get up for those early practices. Who really enjoys that? But I want to recognize the ones who are working hard, paying attention, coming to practices, show team work and start to see that practice really does help them get better.
Some of the changes I want to make this year in my coaching style is to have more weekly “swimmers of the week” to help motivate younger kids by showing that hard work does pay off in the long run. Yes, it may be summer time and you don’t want to get up for those early practices. Who really enjoys that? But I want to recognize the ones who are working hard, paying attention, coming to practices, show team work and start to see that practice really does help them get better.
Lil Kickers
Ask yourself, when do you think it is too soon to place your child into a sporting program? In today’s society sports are more than just an activity to place your child into. Many people use sports as a way to learn life lessons, gain a sense of who they are and adapt to different situations, and even use sports as a way to make a living.
Lil Kickers is a new program at the Rivers Edge sporting complex. What is Lil- Kickers? It is a program for little kids starting at the age of 18 months up to two years old. Each child must be accompanied by a parent at all times. Lil-Kickers are just the first time a toddler learns the basic skills of following instructions, working with others to share and learn to kick the ball in a way that begins these kids thinking about the bsic concepts of learning to play together and have fun doing it.. I now have two little nieces Lauren and Bailey and they both have taken part in the new program Lil kickers. Bailey is only 18 months old and Lauren is 22 months. I asked my sister if I could come with her and take part in watching them learn and adapt to playing soccer. My sister’s daughter Bailey had been taken part in Lil kickers for a few weeks now. Bailey was the youngest Lil Kicker out on the field and sure wasn’t letting her age hold her back. The day I went to watch was Lauren’s (my brother’s daughter) very first time taking part in Lil-Kickers. I was taken back how fast Bailey was able to learn the rules of not using your hands; soccer was a game of “kicking the ball”. Lauren wanted to use her hands a lot at first and wasn’t sure how to kick the ball without falling.
Many of the games and actives used were some of the same techniques of what I do every time I am getting ready to play a game myself. They had a warm-up to skipping, hopping, running and many other games to get them warmed up before playing soccer. I found myself relating to the coach using little key terms that the kickers would understand. When I coach swimmers, I find myself relating and making my teaching skills easy for kids at such young age listen and grasp a better understanding.
Lil Kickers is a new program at the Rivers Edge sporting complex. What is Lil- Kickers? It is a program for little kids starting at the age of 18 months up to two years old. Each child must be accompanied by a parent at all times. Lil-Kickers are just the first time a toddler learns the basic skills of following instructions, working with others to share and learn to kick the ball in a way that begins these kids thinking about the bsic concepts of learning to play together and have fun doing it.. I now have two little nieces Lauren and Bailey and they both have taken part in the new program Lil kickers. Bailey is only 18 months old and Lauren is 22 months. I asked my sister if I could come with her and take part in watching them learn and adapt to playing soccer. My sister’s daughter Bailey had been taken part in Lil kickers for a few weeks now. Bailey was the youngest Lil Kicker out on the field and sure wasn’t letting her age hold her back. The day I went to watch was Lauren’s (my brother’s daughter) very first time taking part in Lil-Kickers. I was taken back how fast Bailey was able to learn the rules of not using your hands; soccer was a game of “kicking the ball”. Lauren wanted to use her hands a lot at first and wasn’t sure how to kick the ball without falling.
Many of the games and actives used were some of the same techniques of what I do every time I am getting ready to play a game myself. They had a warm-up to skipping, hopping, running and many other games to get them warmed up before playing soccer. I found myself relating to the coach using little key terms that the kickers would understand. When I coach swimmers, I find myself relating and making my teaching skills easy for kids at such young age listen and grasp a better understanding.
Conference rings are almost here!!
About two months ago we were requested to place our order for the HCAC (Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference) championship rings. This is the permanent reminder and prize for winning the women’s soccer team division in 2008. I was one of six other seniors that had already had the same achievement in 2005 when we were the freshman collegiate athletes. We of course received the 2005 ring for free, but there is a conference rule that any further championship rings would have to be purchased by the students themselves. All seven seniors this year had to buy their Conference rings if they wanted to have one. I know it’s a division III conference but I believe that if you work hard and succeed at after many, many days of practice, sweat and trips to the athletic trainer’s office, our team’s performances should be rewarded by the school that we represented with pride, and not have to reward ourselves.
Not all seniors on the team bought a conference ring mainly because they couldn’t afford it. The great thing is that we have our memories of the successful year, lifelong friendships and many interesting pictures that tell the story of our four years together. The sad thing is that the entire collegiate athletic experience has come to an end. The incoming freshman and returning players for 2009 will now have a new coach and opportunities for the few returning players to step up and take over as the leaders of the team. The 2009 team has great potential and the graduating seniors will be there to cheer them on to another great season. Victory is so sweet!
Not all seniors on the team bought a conference ring mainly because they couldn’t afford it. The great thing is that we have our memories of the successful year, lifelong friendships and many interesting pictures that tell the story of our four years together. The sad thing is that the entire collegiate athletic experience has come to an end. The incoming freshman and returning players for 2009 will now have a new coach and opportunities for the few returning players to step up and take over as the leaders of the team. The 2009 team has great potential and the graduating seniors will be there to cheer them on to another great season. Victory is so sweet!
How much is too much?
How much is too much? When friends or family call me asking if I want to play in a league or even just sub for their indoor soccer team I am one who isn’t quick to say no. I find myself at times playing 4-5 soccer games a week. A few weeks back I somehow hooked myself into playing four games all in just one Sunday.
I am on four different teams right now. Two teams I play at Western hills sports mall, and the other teams are at Rivers Edge soccer complex. The only day I “rest” from playing soccer seems to be on Saturdays.
Some of these teams are tougher than others. These mixed leagues require a minimum of three lady on the field at all times with some additional rules about the process for scoring needing at least the girl to touch the ball at least once before a score could count. The indoor teams are very aggressively played by most of the boys. I usually limp away from most games from attacks on my legs and ankles. I don’t really know what keeps me coming back. I guess I took to many head balls over the years. That knocked some sense out of me.
I am on four different teams right now. Two teams I play at Western hills sports mall, and the other teams are at Rivers Edge soccer complex. The only day I “rest” from playing soccer seems to be on Saturdays.
Some of these teams are tougher than others. These mixed leagues require a minimum of three lady on the field at all times with some additional rules about the process for scoring needing at least the girl to touch the ball at least once before a score could count. The indoor teams are very aggressively played by most of the boys. I usually limp away from most games from attacks on my legs and ankles. I don’t really know what keeps me coming back. I guess I took to many head balls over the years. That knocked some sense out of me.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
SPM 330 Sport Experience Audit Project.
In this class we have to pick an event and attend this event and make a questionnaire for this event. My group has chosen to attend a UC basketball game. We are going to go tomorrow’s game vs. West Virginia. Some of the main factors we are trying to get out of this questionnaire is about game attendance. We only made the questionnaire a page so its fast and not time consuming. The main questionnaire is about a rating scale about a mix of questions such as crime rate, ticket price, coaching style, parking, fan status, and outcome of the team. We have four members in our group and each member needs to get 25 questionnaires filled out, if you do the math that is 100 questionnaires. I am just worried that we aren’t going to be able to get this task done. Myself when at a sporting event and asked to fill out a questionnaire, I am quick to say “no thank you”. I just hope we are able to get this task done and get what we need to complete this project.
Women’s league @ Rivers Edge
So tonight again, I had our second women’s league game at Rivers Edge. The league hasn’t really started yet. Last week we had just played one full game and one other team. This week Jen had set up kind of a round robin for three different teams. We started out playing the same team we played last week. I didn’t mind playing them because they are a good team and I love getting a good workout and playing tuff teams. We lost again 2-0 but it wasn’t a bad game. Then we had to sit out for the next game. Allie and I kind of talked about the little things that we need to work on for our next game to come. After that game was over we played Jen’s team. I was taken back when I saw Jen in goal I always thought she was a field player. Ones again this was another good team, we hadn’t played them yet so we didn’t know what to expect. I think my team played a lot better in the second game due to everyone just getting use to playing together as a team. We won this game I think the score was 4-1. Yeah there are a lot of the girls played together on the mounts soccer team but we still had a few players that hadn’t. I am really happy that Jen has taken the time to get an all women’s league together. I can’t wait for more games to come next week!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Brother Chris
I have one brother and his name is Chris, growing up I don’t think he liked me much due to the fact that I was the bratty little sister who would follow him every where he would go. At times he would have to take me by the hand walk me back home and ask our mom to keep me away from him and his friends. As the years went by my brother and I become more like best friends. When I was playing sports in high school he was always pushing me to do harder off season training to become that much better in the season to come. My brother was always the one who came to my mount soccer games in college; I could always here his voice pushing me on. On June 10, 2004 my brother had to take on a much bigger role of not just a brother but now a “father figure” to my sister and I. My brother takes a lot of things pretty hard, so when the death of my father happened he wasn’t much of a talker but knew what he now had to do as a role of a father to us. My brother is always trying to become a great role mole for me and making sure I do what our father intend me to become and achieve. Chris is now a father of his own little girl (Lauren) and I can see how he wants to stay around as long as he can to see her grow up and become successful in life. I hear him everyday telling her how much he loves her and would do anything for her. My brother also had to take the role of walking my sister down to give her away at her wedding this past January. My brother is now trying to become a firefighter for Colerain Township, I am very happy for him because he is doing something he loves and helping others. But at the same time I don’t know what I would do without him if something where to happen when he was trying to put out a fire. He is everything to me and does everything for me.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Swim Team Coach
I know a lot of people think that I would be a soccer coach before I would be a swim team coach. But think again I’ve been coach Delhi Swim Team, for the past three years. I’ve been swimming since I was six years old. If I had to pick a second favorite sport it would be swimming. I coach Delhi swim team with two other coaches Kelly and Sean. It is a lot of fun to help teach and watch little ones grow and look up to you. There is about eight five kids on the team. I mostly coach a lot of the 8-under kids, they might be the funniest group of kids because they always have something funny to tell or show you. But at times they are the hardest kids to keep in order. I get a lot of joy coaching and seeing the kids I’ve coach do well from what I have taught them. I hope to onces again coach this summer to come.
Flags, Rags and Drags
They say that when you play any sport you are never going to forget your teammates. I am sure not going to forget these two girls. There names are Allie Pirman (Flags) and Beth Schuermann (Rags) my nickname was Drags. I know the names sound a bit funny but they all have stories behind them. We called Beth, rags due to the fact that every time she would go up for a 50/50 ball she would just get taken out like a rag doll. So she got the nickname rags. I got my nickname due to the fact that I would drag my feet at times when I was playing soccer and it was only on the one foot, if you where to look at my right foot you would be able to tell. Allie got her nick name more for the fact that we wanted them to all rime and she was the tallest in the group. When ever us three would take a picture Allie was always the one who was the tallest or always over to the right or left … so that’s how she got that nickname. When ever you play a sport in high school or college you spent a lot of time with your teammates. You make friendships and you bond with all the road time traveling to different schools or even states to play other teams. I will never forget Allie and Beth I hope that after college our friendship keeps on growing and we learn from each other as we did for the past four years.
Four soccer games in the past five days.
It all started on this past Wednesday when I played at the new Rivers Edge soccer complex with my all women’s league. This is the first time I ever played indoor with all women because all other times I’ve played coed with friends. I was really happy to be playing with a lot of the mount soccer girls again. I didn’t think that this game was going to be as hard as it was. Then again, I should have anticipated the challenges to be tough after seeing the players arrive for the other team. It was just a practice game this week and we didn’t have all of our players so we had to pick up two other girls who where still in high school to play with us. Both high school girls where pretty good, one was a goalie. These two girls where just finished with their practice with their own select soccer team when we solicited their time to work out with us. I can’t wait for more weeks to come when I get to get a really good workout and play with my fellow mount players on the different playing field in in-door. I would have to say that playing one women’s league game would equal about three coed soccer games.
Thursday, I had another game, this time at the Western Hills Sports Mall. This team had a lot of older players and even two doctors who work with my mom at the hospital. But don’t let them fool you, the doctors are very good players. So we only had one girl and one guy sub for this team and that’s how I like it. I don’t like to sub unless I really have to because I like to play just about the whole soccer game. So the other team that we played against wasn’t the best team we won 8-3. We started to give up after the other team was getting frustrated and angry at us for playing so well. Their goalie even just walked off the field. I don’t know really why he did but he was pissed. Maybe it was because a lot of the players on our team poured several hard shots and he was getting killed with shot after shot. So we made a team decision that we had to score only by head balls which seemed to decrease the anger by the other team.
Friday’s game was again at Rivers Edge. This time it was a group pulled together with my old Westside soccer coach. She saw me up at Rivers Edge last Friday while I was watching my brothers and brother-in-laws flag football game. She said “do you mind if I call you sometime to sub for our soccer team” and I was like sure why not. I didn’t think it was going to be that very next week. When I got to the field to play I knew this was going to be a hard game because I saw Jessie who was two years older than me and played for the mount team with me for two years. But knowing how much I really have a hard time turning down any time I can play soccer, I made the best of it. We lost that game but it was a good game. I don’t remember the score of the game, but the action was very competitive.
Now on Saturday I didn’t have any soccer games, which was good since I have a few bruises that needed a day off. Sunday (today) I usually have two soccer games because I am on two different teams but one of the teams I play for re-scheduled the game earlier this week on Thursday. My game today is mostly just for fun. This team is coed and a lot of the players on the team our just playing for fun. I went to high school with a lot of team members. Sometimes I end up getting hurt the most in this league due to the players don’t go for the ball, they always try to take out the player. If you do the littliest move they fall for it and get easily frustrated.
Thursday, I had another game, this time at the Western Hills Sports Mall. This team had a lot of older players and even two doctors who work with my mom at the hospital. But don’t let them fool you, the doctors are very good players. So we only had one girl and one guy sub for this team and that’s how I like it. I don’t like to sub unless I really have to because I like to play just about the whole soccer game. So the other team that we played against wasn’t the best team we won 8-3. We started to give up after the other team was getting frustrated and angry at us for playing so well. Their goalie even just walked off the field. I don’t know really why he did but he was pissed. Maybe it was because a lot of the players on our team poured several hard shots and he was getting killed with shot after shot. So we made a team decision that we had to score only by head balls which seemed to decrease the anger by the other team.
Friday’s game was again at Rivers Edge. This time it was a group pulled together with my old Westside soccer coach. She saw me up at Rivers Edge last Friday while I was watching my brothers and brother-in-laws flag football game. She said “do you mind if I call you sometime to sub for our soccer team” and I was like sure why not. I didn’t think it was going to be that very next week. When I got to the field to play I knew this was going to be a hard game because I saw Jessie who was two years older than me and played for the mount team with me for two years. But knowing how much I really have a hard time turning down any time I can play soccer, I made the best of it. We lost that game but it was a good game. I don’t remember the score of the game, but the action was very competitive.
Now on Saturday I didn’t have any soccer games, which was good since I have a few bruises that needed a day off. Sunday (today) I usually have two soccer games because I am on two different teams but one of the teams I play for re-scheduled the game earlier this week on Thursday. My game today is mostly just for fun. This team is coed and a lot of the players on the team our just playing for fun. I went to high school with a lot of team members. Sometimes I end up getting hurt the most in this league due to the players don’t go for the ball, they always try to take out the player. If you do the littliest move they fall for it and get easily frustrated.
Senior Day
For most athletes, senior day is the last time you will be playing on your home field or court. But for me it was different because I knew that this wasn’t going to be the last time I was going to be playing on my home field of “Schueler Field”. I knew going into this season that it was going to be a Great Season!! On the day of the big senior game I had a lot going on with trying to keep my focus on the conference game to come the following week vs. Manchester College. When I first got into the locker room at the sports complex I was one of the first ones there just like any other game because I liked to get my ankles taped in the training room. Arriving early also allowed me to take my time getting my so called “game face on”. When I had walked into the locker room all of the juniors had taken the time to go out of their way and placed balloons, pictures and notes in each of the eight seniors. Yes, we had eight seniors this year. The mount was going to be losing a lot of seniority leadership after this season ended.
The pre-game talk for this game wasn’t the usual pump-up speech because our coach had so many seniors for the pass four years and didn’t want to see us go. There were a few watery eyes in that locker room that day, but they soon dried up when our coach told us to go get what is ours. We knew it was going to be an emotional game.
Half time came and the score was still 0-0 we knew we had to get over the emotional aspects of senior day because even though this was a so called “easy game” for us its a lot different game when you have the emotional feelings added. Manchester knew it was our senior game so they thought they had to give all 110% to win this game knowing we wouldn’t be on our so called “A” game. We didn’t go to the locker room at half like we usually did. Our parents where waiting for us on the track to walk out with us as our names where getting read. Now for me it was extremely hard only seeing my mom on the side line and wishing that my father was still alive and able to be there with me, walking on the other side as my mother. My father passed away when I was going into my senior year of high school when he was only 49 years old, passing away from a massive heart attic. My mother was upset about a few things but mostly about the amount of playing time I was getting but I told her to not to worry that all seniors where going to start at the start of the second half. Although we did win this game, the score was only 1-0. Our coach changed players from a season of offensive positions to now playing defensive and vice versa. Many players were confused and this game seemed more like a practice session than an important game. Everyone left the game confused, upset and disappointed. Our questions were many as to why the coach made such changes, left players without playing time that earned it, and confusing everyone. Our parents were equally confused and turned the senior game into one of questions more than of celebration.
The pre-game talk for this game wasn’t the usual pump-up speech because our coach had so many seniors for the pass four years and didn’t want to see us go. There were a few watery eyes in that locker room that day, but they soon dried up when our coach told us to go get what is ours. We knew it was going to be an emotional game.
Half time came and the score was still 0-0 we knew we had to get over the emotional aspects of senior day because even though this was a so called “easy game” for us its a lot different game when you have the emotional feelings added. Manchester knew it was our senior game so they thought they had to give all 110% to win this game knowing we wouldn’t be on our so called “A” game. We didn’t go to the locker room at half like we usually did. Our parents where waiting for us on the track to walk out with us as our names where getting read. Now for me it was extremely hard only seeing my mom on the side line and wishing that my father was still alive and able to be there with me, walking on the other side as my mother. My father passed away when I was going into my senior year of high school when he was only 49 years old, passing away from a massive heart attic. My mother was upset about a few things but mostly about the amount of playing time I was getting but I told her to not to worry that all seniors where going to start at the start of the second half. Although we did win this game, the score was only 1-0. Our coach changed players from a season of offensive positions to now playing defensive and vice versa. Many players were confused and this game seemed more like a practice session than an important game. Everyone left the game confused, upset and disappointed. Our questions were many as to why the coach made such changes, left players without playing time that earned it, and confusing everyone. Our parents were equally confused and turned the senior game into one of questions more than of celebration.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Senior Letter:
Senior:
May you wear a crown of seniority on your head on this special day! May you be beribboned with happiness and wear your pride like the Christmas tree wears her ornaments. This day is a day to take advantages of all the special joys life has to offer. This is not a time to be sad, but a time to smile and enjoy the priceless memories you have made in your years of MSJ soccer. We all will move on when the time is right. We will all grow into our lives in society. Time passes and life changes, but while we're here together for this day, let's make it one of the most memorable in our lives. Let's prove on the filed that it does not matter that we're division III college, that we can do anything and can overcome any challenges when we work together. Your are great friends to all of us, great leaders in all your pursue, and great players to the game of soccer. We all love and hope you enjoy our small but heartfelt gifts of being soccer princesses for the day! And remember, it'snot hte size of the player on the field that matters, but the size of the heart in the player. To all our lion-hearted seniors, we say thanks!
Love,
Your One and Only
2008 MSJ Soccer Team
"Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage" (Rainer Maria Wike). Be that dragon on the field, but don't be afraid to show that beauty to the entire world that each one of you holds inside.
Senior Letter from Coach:
Sammy,
Wow four years done already?!? You have been a joay to have on the team this year I really feel you have come into your "own". You have relaxed so much more this season and really enjoyed playing. Your sprit and support of your teammates does not go unnoticed. During games, if you are not out there playing-you are ALWAYS the one I hear rooting for the TEAM. Thanks you for that.
This weekend, shine out there play with a smile and go get you one!!
Love,
Coach
Wow four years done already?!? You have been a joay to have on the team this year I really feel you have come into your "own". You have relaxed so much more this season and really enjoyed playing. Your sprit and support of your teammates does not go unnoticed. During games, if you are not out there playing-you are ALWAYS the one I hear rooting for the TEAM. Thanks you for that.
This weekend, shine out there play with a smile and go get you one!!
Love,
Coach
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
"People don't play sports because its fun. Ask any athlete, most of them hate it, but they couldnt imagine their life without it. Its part of them, the hate/love relationship. Its what they live for. They live for the practices, parties, cheers, long bus rides, invitationals, countless pairs of different types of shoes, water, Gatorade, & coaches you hate but appreciate. They live for the way it feels when you beat the team next to you by 1 pt. in overtime, & you know those 2 extra sprints you ran in practice were worth it. They live for the way you become a family with your team, they live for the countless songs you sing in your head when your running ALL those suicides. They live for the competition, they live for the friends, the practices, the memories, the pain, its who they are. It's who we are. WE ARE ATHLETES..."
Mount St. Joseph placed third in the poll for 2008 season.
Mount St. Joseph placed third in the poll for 2008 season.
Every year the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) comes out with a pre-season prediction on which women’s soccer teams in the Division III conference. They basically guess which team will place first, second and third for the season based on last year’s record. This year Transylvania was the favorite in women’s soccer for the 2008 season. Rose-Hulman was anticipated to finish in the second slot and although we had a great season at the Mount in 2007, we were not predicted to come in higher than third place. When this was shared by Coach Taylor we reacted with disbelief and anger. I guess this is what pumped us up, because the team came alive as if there was a fire under our feet. The entire team was more motivated and energized no matter how intense the practice sessions and training became. Most of us left the practice sessions dragging our feet and begging for just a little rest time, but even those feelings faded as we started to realize that we really had more faith in our own abilities than the conference had in us. The season started out with two losses to teams that were not even supposed to be a challenge at all. Our team needed to regain confidence and it had to happen fast. We could not and would not let the Conference’s prediction jinx our chances to be the great team we knew we could be.
Every year the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) comes out with a pre-season prediction on which women’s soccer teams in the Division III conference. They basically guess which team will place first, second and third for the season based on last year’s record. This year Transylvania was the favorite in women’s soccer for the 2008 season. Rose-Hulman was anticipated to finish in the second slot and although we had a great season at the Mount in 2007, we were not predicted to come in higher than third place. When this was shared by Coach Taylor we reacted with disbelief and anger. I guess this is what pumped us up, because the team came alive as if there was a fire under our feet. The entire team was more motivated and energized no matter how intense the practice sessions and training became. Most of us left the practice sessions dragging our feet and begging for just a little rest time, but even those feelings faded as we started to realize that we really had more faith in our own abilities than the conference had in us. The season started out with two losses to teams that were not even supposed to be a challenge at all. Our team needed to regain confidence and it had to happen fast. We could not and would not let the Conference’s prediction jinx our chances to be the great team we knew we could be.
Soccer: The Start of the season... August 17, 2008
Soccer: The Start of the season… August 17, 2008
The date was August 17, 2008. This was the very first day of a long season to come. It all started with one memorable first day of hot, steamy work-outs that would last for two weeks of twice-a-day grueling and painful tests of strength and endurance. I had a lot going on in my mind about what I wanted to achieve that season. I had nothing to hold me back since this was the very last year I could ever play collegiate soccer. I was ready to start my senior year as a student and athlete and wanted to show all of the younger teammates what it was like to receive a college HCAC championship ring. I had a goal to end my college soccer career just as I had started it in 2005 by winning the conference championship at the end of my freshman soccer season at the Mount. It was the best feeling in the world to say you won your conference and now your challenge was to prove yourself against the best teams while getting to travel and play in the NCAA soccer tournament. I remember that we had seven strong seniors coming back who have been playing soccer for the mount the past three years. There wasn’t any other team in the conference that had that many strong leaders on their team. Almost everyone knew that this was going to be a great year for us and it was our season to win. We had strong players who worked well together and pushed each other without end. We always would say we are only as strong as our weakest link and no one wanted that reputation. So when it came down to the daily hard practices and endurance training in the hot summer heat, we worked as a team by encouraging and challenging each other to keep motivated to achieve their highest level of potential that we just knew we all had in us.
The date was August 17, 2008. This was the very first day of a long season to come. It all started with one memorable first day of hot, steamy work-outs that would last for two weeks of twice-a-day grueling and painful tests of strength and endurance. I had a lot going on in my mind about what I wanted to achieve that season. I had nothing to hold me back since this was the very last year I could ever play collegiate soccer. I was ready to start my senior year as a student and athlete and wanted to show all of the younger teammates what it was like to receive a college HCAC championship ring. I had a goal to end my college soccer career just as I had started it in 2005 by winning the conference championship at the end of my freshman soccer season at the Mount. It was the best feeling in the world to say you won your conference and now your challenge was to prove yourself against the best teams while getting to travel and play in the NCAA soccer tournament. I remember that we had seven strong seniors coming back who have been playing soccer for the mount the past three years. There wasn’t any other team in the conference that had that many strong leaders on their team. Almost everyone knew that this was going to be a great year for us and it was our season to win. We had strong players who worked well together and pushed each other without end. We always would say we are only as strong as our weakest link and no one wanted that reputation. So when it came down to the daily hard practices and endurance training in the hot summer heat, we worked as a team by encouraging and challenging each other to keep motivated to achieve their highest level of potential that we just knew we all had in us.
First year playing soccer
First of all, I would like to start by talking a little bit about how long I’ve been playing the game of ”soccer”. My very first game was back when a lot of young athletes got their very first exposure with the game. My first memories with the game occurred when I was about six years old. I remember my mother was the coach of my team along with the father of one of my friends. This was when all the little kids wouldn’t really play the game soccer but rather spent most of the time just kicking the ball back and forth while we were getting the feel of the game and just making sure we could connect out feet with the ball before someone else did. I soon discovered that I was a bit lost on the open field. I was a pretty fast runner and it was easy to be so focused on kicking and chasing the ball no matter which direction the ball would be kicked. The coaches didn’t make it very clear that you had to get it in the other teams goal, and that you couldn’t just kick it in any goal. Yes that’s right, at such young age, I was the first “lollypop soccer’ player to actually get the ball in a goal, but unfortunately, I scored in the wrong goal! At first I was sooo happy to get my first goal, but my victory celebration was short when I find out that it wasn’t the right goal, and the goal I was so happy to score wasn’t actually a goal for my team. So as any normal six year old I sat down right where I was on the field and threw a fit when all the parents were yelling and laughing at me. I wouldn’t get off the field so my mother had to come over and carry me off. I was very embarrassed for a little while but I really remember all the fun I had at my first game with my friends, even if my very first goal was for the other team.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
