.....It was in these conversations that a number of unanticipated consistencies began to arise. It would be easy to expect many of these athletes to be frustrated with their situation. Many of them are. What was not expected was the gratitude that almost every athlete I interviewed collectively shared. Volleyball player Gavin van Beveren ’23, for example, described the huge positive impacts of playing sports (in any capacity) on his mental health: “For me, playing volleyball has always acted as a serious reliever of stress,” he emphasized. “I depend on competition and athletics for a sense of security of my mental state and practicing has drastically helped me with the day to day pressures. So yes, I’m super grateful [to be able to practice].” ..........Van Beveren’s responses do more than just highlight the humility of Vassar’s reigning Rookie of the Year. They demonstrate a particular kind of thinking that is readily present among the college’s student-athlete base. Sports are more than simply a leisure activity for van Beveren and many like him, instead offering a particular lens through which these individuals view their day-to-day activities. So when a particular challenge comes up, the hurdles that they must inevitably overcome have as much to do with their particular sport as they do any other aspect of their lives......
...moreBethany`s Notes: A great read from some NCAA DIII student athletes and how their altered sports experience during COVID-19 has allowed them to grow in appreciation and gratitude while also highlighting that sport for them is not just competition but rather a way to deal with the daily pressures of life.
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- - Volume: 9 - WEEK: 11 Date: 3/12/2021 9:38:40 AM -