Sometimes people set a goal of being ‘the first’ and sometimes it just turns out that way. My case was a little bit of both. I didn’t set out to be ‘the first’, but I certainly set out to be the best tennis player I could be. And, the latter journey led me to Notre Dame. From these experiences I have learned quite a bit, including the following:
It’s a Big Responsibility. Being a collegiate student-athlete always comes with responsibility; And, my being ‘the first,’ perhaps comes with more. I recognize that what I do not only sets the tone for future Notre Dame athletes, but might also do the same for future African-American athletes in other collegiate sports and at other universities. This thought keeps me motivated.
It’s an Honor and a Privilege. This almost goes without saying. I am fortunate to be able to share my experiences and I hope to inspire and help others. From time to time I think about how Serena said she won the U.S. Open in 2007 to honor Althea Gibson. Her victory occurred on the date that marked the 50th anniversary of the first U.S National Championship title for a Black tennis player.
It’s a Blessing. I count myself as blessed to be able to showcase and share my talents as a student-athlete. Many have gone before me and paved the way. Arthur Ashe, as the first black man to reach tennis’ elite level, is one that certainly comes to mind. I think he stands as an example of class, sportsmanship, and pretty much what it means to be both grateful for what you have and a fighter at the same time. I think we can all learn from his life.
Each of us has a valuable set of experiences and learnings to share. I hope Fresh Suspence provides collegiate athletes with the platform to do just that!
