Being GREAT is a CHOICE

After the first few days here at the University, we were told by our coaches to choose a word that would be a reminder of our goals and what we want to accomplish on and off the field. To be the one word that would change our lives this year. We were given three questions to answer to help us find this word.

1. Why are you here?

2. How do you want to be remembered?

3. What do you want out of this year?

Not only are these important questions you should ask yourself as a student-athlete, but they are important questions to ask yourself pertaining to life.

After answering these questions, one word continuously stood out to me.

Choice.

6 years ago my goalkeeper coach brought me out into the parking lot with my dad and told me he was sick of training me. I was just going through the motions, cutting corners, and doing what was easy. I wouldn’t make adjustments when he asked me to and frankly had a bad attitude. After telling me this though, he made me make a choice. He said I had to choose whether or not I wanted to be good, or great. Through tears, I made this choice, and since then it has changed my life not only in sports but off the field as well. I chose to be great and to follow my dreams

You have the same choice to make right now.

Every single day you have a choice to do what is right, not what is easy. You have a choice to be good or to be great. You can choose to go for the final rep, or you can choose to give up. You can wake up with a positive attitude, or decide you’re going to have a bad day. All of you have what it takes, but it’s up to YOU to make the right decisions, the right CHOICES, to achieve your dreams and aspirations.

To be frank, if it wasn’t for my goalkeeper coach who brought me out into that parking lot 6 years ago, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. That is why I want everyone here to know that you have the choice to be the person you want to be. The decisions you make may not always be easy, but they are going to be the choices that change your life for the best.

Remember, it's a CHOICE to be GREAT.