Pittsburgh, PA GALS!!!!!! Who would’ve thought that Maria, Kaitlyn and I would all be from Pittsburgh. Let alone we either played together or against one another. It was such a relief for me knowing that I knew two people from Pittsburgh were going to Ireland with me! I feel that it made the process of leaving home that much easier!

Maria and I played AAU together since 8th grade! We always stayed in touch during college but kind of went our separate ways! But now this opportunity has brought us back together and now we are able to tackle thing journey together! Even though we will be playing on different teams it is nice to know that we are only 3 hours away. Maria will be playing at Waterford and I will be at Ulster!

   

Kaitlyn and I played against each other once or twice during AAU, but we also played against each other in college twice! It has been great to catch up with these two recently! I am going to be sad when the day comes when they have to go to their schools! But it gives us all an opportunity to visit one another and see the country of Ireland! Kaitlyn will be attending Carlow!

 

Here’s to another 10 months with my Pittsburgh girls! Can’t wait to visit them in Waterford and Carlow!!!!

We finally made it! After about 30 hours of traveling from Pittsburgh to New York then finally to Dublin, we have officially been at Ulster University, in Belfast, for a little over a day. Although the first day felt super long, most of the scholars came over on the same flight, so it was exciting to meet up with them and start this crazy journey together.

After many hours of sitting in one of the middle seats on the plane, I couldn’t have been more excited when we finally touched down in Dublin. Sam and Rachel welcomed us at the airport and brought us over to Ulster University where we met the other members of the Sport Changes Life Foundation. After breakfast and a little down time we got right into it. We had our first ehoops session that evening with a football team (or soccer team as we would call is back in the states) of about 8 girls who played for the Carmoney Club. While they were with us, we played some basketball games and then of course they embarrassed us when we tried to play football with them.. look at that, the lingo is already catching on! It was so cool to talk with them about their lives over here, all while they wanted to know so much about our lives back in the states as well!

I’m writing this on our second day here and today we went to the Peace Wall where we got our headshots and other pictures done. On the way to The Wall, one of the staff members, Foxy, gave us a history lesson about the area and explained why The Wall was there. It was nice chance for us to get out and look around the Belfast area to see what’s around The University.

So far, it has been a great first two days meeting everyone from my fellow Victory Scholars to the staff that made all of this possible. Everyone has been so nice and welcoming and has made me so excited for everything to come!

 

Orientation Week:

On August 20th, 2019 my life changed for the better.  Myself and a few other scholars boarded a plane for Dublin that arrived at 4:20 in the morning.  I expected to land in Dublin exhausted and groggy from the long flight but I was the exact opposite, full of energy and ready to get started on my new journey.  When we arrived to Ulster University after a wee (Little) 2 hour bus ride we freshened up and had our first Irish breakfast, needless to say it was delicious.  After that, we got right into orientation.  Usually, I associate orientation with loads of administrative boring material but so far this one has been different.  It’s been a wee bit of craic (loads of fun) getting to know all of the amazing scholars and staff associated with Sport Changes Life.  Although we’ve only been here for 6 days, it feels as though we’ve known each other for years.  Not only are they all amazing basketball players, they’re even better people.

Orientation has been a time of many firsts for me.  First time out of the country for an extended period of time on my own, first time in Ireland, first time doing outreach in a nursing home and first time learning about the Peace Walls around Belfast and the brutal conflict that is still happening among other things.  It’s been inspiring to see the impact that we can have on people on all ages through sports, especially the young people of the island.  After running a successful E-hoops program, I began to realize how important the work that we will be doing around the island as Victory Scholars will be throughout the year.  The smiles that the Carmoney ladies soccer team had on their faces during the simple games that we played with them and interacting with us will be a memory that I won’t soon forget. I’m very fortunate and extremely excited to be here and cannot wait to get started in Sligo although I’ll be sad to leave headquarters as we all get ready to go our separate ways.  In the meantime, I’m sure I’m in for much more craic throughout the year and can’t wait to see what lies ahead.

I wanted to end this with a quote that my Dad used to end all of his emails with: “Never let the odds keep you from doing in your heart what you were meant to do.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

I know in my heart that I was meant to be a Victory Scholar and positively impact as many young people as I can throughout my time in Ireland.

 

No sleep till Brooklyn? More like no sleep till Belfast. After being awake for over 30 straight hours and completely jet-lagged, I finally got to catch up sleep last night. Although it was a long 30 hours, it was exciting and reminded me how lucky I am to be a part of the Sport Changes Life program as a Victory Scholar for the next 10 months.

I spent the first six hours of my day waking up in Brooklyn and heading to the airport in the afternoon. I flew in to NYC a day early from Pittsburgh so I could stop and say hi to some of my old teammates, coaches and friends from college. When I got to the airport I was greeted by other Victory Scholars who would be flying to Dublin with me. By hour seven we started boarding the plane.

I was planning on getting some sleep in (it’s about a 6 hour flight), but couldn’t because of a mixture of things… being excited, being anxious, and being surrounded by all of my new friends that I just wanted to talk to and get to know. When we arrived in Dublin it was 11:00pm, but for the Irish it was about 4:00am. After a 2 hour bus ride, we finally arrived in Belfast and met up with all of the other scholars and the whole staff. I know that I have only known these people for about a day, but I can already tell that they are some of the kindest people I will ever meet and that I have found some lifelong friends.

We immediately started the program upon on arrival… Check in, breakfast, a few meetings, grocery shopping, dinner… By about hour 26, I was feeling completely exhausted. At this time, we had to start our first eHoops program (which you can read about here). We got the chance to spend a few hours with a girls football (soccer) team. I think the girls were excited to be there and although some of them were a little shy at first, you could tell that they really enjoyed themselves. By the end of our time with them I had forgotten that I had been awake for so long because I had so much fun. Despite how long I had been awake, I struggled to fall asleep after (which makes no sense to me but adrenaline I guess!).

After a good night of sleep, I am feeling back to normal. My first day as a Victory Scholar was long and tiring, but it was definitely worth it. I can’t wait for tomorrow!

 

On Tuesday August 20th I moved to Northern Ireland for 10 months to take place in the Sport Changes Life Program, and I am so stoked to be apart of this program. I will be attending Ulster University on the Jordanstown campus where I will play basketball as well as coach and mentor children.

I can’t believe the next chapter of my life has approached so fast!! It doesn’t feel real, I feel that I was applying for this program just yesterday! I flew from Pittsburgh, PA to New York, NY and then finally arrived in Dublin, Ireland. I am surrounded by 21 other scholars who all have the same intentions as me, and that is to change someone’s life!  I look forward to getting close with the other 21 scholars!

We are put in positions to impact and inspire different age groups who this program impacts.

Of course I was sad to leave my family and friends but when you genuinely think about the opportunity that is put in front of you, you can’t help but get excited! I can’t be more appreciative for this opportunity because sports have changed my life in so many ways and I want to be able to reciprocate that with other people!

The first day was pretty crazy because I was up for about 36 hours with only a couple naps! We arrived in Belfast around 9am on Wednesday the 21st and got straight to it! When we first arrived we moved into our rooms and luckily enough I will be living in the room for the next 10 months. We then ate and were able to have some down time which was followed by a grocery store visit then lunch. We had a meeting which was a struggle for everyone because we were so tired, so we cut the meeting short due to some people dozing off (myself included)!! We napped for about 30 minutes but it was important not to sleep because our sleeping schedule would be messed up for about a week since Ireland is 5 hours ahead of Eastern time in America.

We then came back for dinner and then our evening got pretty exciting! We were thrown into one of the groups the Sports Changes Life Program does, eHoops. EHoops is a program that I will be participating in a lot over these next 10 months and it is all about bringing the younger community in Northern Ireland in and working with them. We met with the Carmoney soccer team, and introduced the program to them, but it was amazing because we were being introduced at the same time. We were able to meet all the girls and get to know them, followed by activities and games in the gym! It is wonderful to see the girls faces when they interact with all of us, you can see their face light up with excitement which is a great feeling to have! I can’t wait to make a greater impact on all the groups I get to work with during this experience!!!

 

 

Victory is Here!

The time has finally come…I have left my homeland and have arrived in Belfast, Ireland where I will be staying for 10 days to learn the in’s and out’s of what it means to be a Victory Scholar with Sport Changes Life. And let me tell you…I can already tell that this will be an experience of a lifetime. I have met some truly amazing people and am so excited to make a difference here in the beautiful country of Ireland!

Sport Changes Life is a charity and nonprofit organization that aims to raise the aspirations of people of all ages in Ireland through various programs that allow them to interact with others and stay active through sports. But, this is just the “textbook” definition of SCL. In reality, there is so much more to it that needs to be seen and heard by everyone. My goal is to help share our story the best I can throughout my 10 months here because it is a very special one to tell!

The first few days in Belfast have been full of learning, adventure, fun, and lots of Subway sandwiches! We took a trip to Centre City, where we perused St. George’s Market and the Victoria Square Shopping Centre. St. George’s Market is one of the oldest attractions and best markets in all of the U.K. and Ireland. There has been a Friday market there since 1604! The Victoria Square Shopping Centre had a lot of familiar stores like H&M, Urban Outfitters, and Claire’s, which was comforting to see in case I need a last-minute outfit! We also saw Belfast City Hall (built in 1906) and the Albert Memorial Clock (both pictured below). The Clock’s bell itself weighs 2 tonnes and can be heard from over 8 miles away!

                               

We also went to see the Belfast Peace Wall – one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. Peace Walls were built throughout Northern Ireland during “The Troubles” in order to separate Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods. The wall literally splits a line through the two neighborhoods and is covered in murals, graffiti, and other artwork (which now includes my initials). The history of Ireland is super interesting and I definitely plan on learning all about it!

Now, I’d like to end this little intro blog with a couple of tips for future scholars/travelers:

1. Don’t try and hail a cab unless you want to get made fun of – call and order one ahead of time. (I’m definitely not in New York anymore!)
2. Study the British Pound Sterling and the Euro a bit before you get here. Unfortunately, I have resorted to just holding out a handful of different coins to the cashiers and having them pick out the right ones for me… (Fun fact: Northern Ireland is still part of the U.K. and uses the Pound as its currency – the rest of Ireland uses the Euro.)

Well, my next adventure awaits. Let’s have some craic (fun)!

Peace out✌️

-Dana D.

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a somewhat organized plan set in place. However, I gotta admit, I never saw this one coming. When I heard about the opportunity to travel to the beautiful, green country of Ireland, earn a free master’s degree, mentor to children, and play the sport I love, I could not pass the opportunity up. I mean if it wasn’t for this opportunity, I’d still be at home Netflix binging and trying to decide how I’m going to put that undergraduate degree to use anyways.

It has been two days since I have left the U.S. and it has been an emotional rollercoaster. Since I have arrived, I have felt nervous, excited, afraid, and anxious all throughout the day. We arrived around 5 a.m. and little did I know, I was not getting any of the sleep I had hoped to get on the plane any time soon. We were up and on our way to starting our SCL journey in Ireland. We met with more scholars and members of the SCL team at the Ulster university campus. Throughout the day, we learned a lot more about SCL and what it truly means to be a victory scholar. I was enlightened with the SCL team’s stories and the opportunities that we will have to impact the lives of children all over Ireland.

The turning point for me was our first encounter the Carnmoney girls soccer team. We got a chance to meet the team and get to know some of them outside of soccer. I met Lucy who has played soccer for eight years and plays left back defender. We had a funny conversation about driving in Ireland as she is working on getting her license very soon. I told her about how terrified I was on my first bus ride when the bus seemed as if it was going straight for a car but it was only just a normal left turn. Afterwards, we got to play some warm-up and team building games, where I found myself on the floor trying not to get tagged by one of the soccer girls. Then, we played a few basketball and soccer games. The girls were incredible at soccer. It was fun to watch some of the girls and their phenomenal foot work cross up and dash past us scholars. After that session with the team, I felt a sense of joy and that’s when I knew that this was going to be a great experience.

The fact that I would be in another country away from my family and friends never truly hit me until the first night laying in bed. I didn’t realize how big and bold this move was until I noticed that I can’t just pick up my phone and text/call my friends and fam at any time. But just as any new experience, it just takes time to get adjusted. I have met some cool scholars that have been going through the same feelings that I have; that makes me feel a lot better. I’ve even met some scholars that I have played against in my college career. At this point in my life, being bold is something I’m trying to be accustom to and more consistent with. Its only been two days and I definitely can tell, that this DJ will be a bolder DJ than he was when he left the states.

This morning, our group of scholars visited the Peace Wall in Belfast.  Personally, I had a vague understanding of the divide that exists between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland, but I had yet to experience this separation up close.  As we approached the wall, SCL staff began to explain the significance behind the wall, and why it is such an iconic place in Belfast.  Stepping off the bus and approaching the wall was nothing short of eye-opening. Thousands of messages scribbled in black ink and graffiti were scattered as far as the wall runs.  Many of the messages promoted peace between the two sides.  Immediately, the Peace Wall provided us with a physical representation of controversy, hatred, and violence that’s existed on the streets of Belfast for decades.  As I looked up the wall, a chain fence was planted on top of the original foundation, adding at least 20 feet to the height of the barrier.  When I asked a staff member why the fence was needed, he answered that the original foundation “was not tall enough” to keep Catholics and Protestants from throwing objects over the wall to try to harm the other side.

Of the thousands of messages written on the structure, one of the most compelling notes was the following: “There must be no wall if we seek to be a unified people.”  Interestingly enough, this drew a strong connection to a major point of controversy that I can relate to, especially as the United States’ government seeks to harden the border between my country and Mexico.  The implications of this type of divide have a substantial impact on togetherness and unity.  It is amazing that in a small country like Ireland, such great divide exists, especially between two groups that share the same skin color.

It was my second full day in Ireland and we as the Victory Scholars had the chance to see the Peace Wall. The experience was something that I will never forget. The story’s that we heard will never leave me. The trip to the peace Wall wasn’t peaceful to me, it was kind of stressful to me. I didn’t know what to expect and to hear the harm that has happened near the wall is a bit of terrifying. I made my title a question because the wall confuses me a little bit. It is called the Peace Wall but what the wall divides isn’t a peaceful topic. It was good that we had people in the group that come from either sides so that we could hear their stories. It is cool to see that they are able to work together and be able to be friends. Thirty years ago this would not have been the case. I was glad this took place so early into my journey here in Ireland so that could get the understanding of the past history.

I have only spent two days in Ireland, and I am loving every second. Sport Changes Life has not only introduced me to such amazing people, but they are also teaching me so much along the way. Today we visited the peace wall. I had no idea that this even existed until today. I learned that there was a divide in the Irish people within the catholic republicans and the protestant nationalists and that this specific wall is what used to divide them. It is great to see all the graffiti on the walls because it shows a sign of unity, which makes sense why it is now called the peace wall. Every day I learn something new about the Irish culture, and I looking forward to discovering so much more!

August 20th was a day that changed my life for the better. I boarded two flights, one from DC to New York and the second to Dublin.  Naturally, I was feeling loads of mixed emotions…nerves, excitement, curiosity just to name a few.  After rushing through JFK just to get to the gate on time and stressing about my departure, my nerves instantly went away when I met the other scholars. We clicked instantly, sharing our own stories about our airport experiences while sharing laughs and introducing ourselves.  Shortly after, we boarded the 6 hour flight to embark on the beginning of our next ten months in Ireland. Who would’ve thought that sports would bring this group of strangers together to raise the aspirations of young people all across the island of Ireland. After touching down at Dublin International Airport at 4:30 in the morning, we were greeted and bussed to Ulster University in Belfast, Northern Island where we will be training and living for the next ten days. It’s been great “craic” (Irish slang for fun) getting to know the other Victory Scholars and sharing about our backgrounds.

During orientation, we all fought off fatigue as we grinded through the first day of greetings and working our first E-Hoops session with the Carnmoney ladies soccer team who ran circles around us in indoor footy. It was amazing seeing the smiles on their faces when they interacted with us and the fun that we all shared playing team building games. We met some amazing young women who are not only extremely skilled at their sport but fun loving and outgoing. With our mission to raise the aspirations of young people across the island of Ireland it was important to learn the history of the communities.

 

 

 

It’s been about a month since I’ve been back from Ireland and it’s fair to say I’m fully back into “NY Mode”. I started my summer job, hung out with friends and family, and most importantly continued promoting my upcoming camp July 20th.

I was interviewed by my local news station, News 12 The Bronx and they covered both my time in Ireland as well as the benefits of the Sport Changes Life Program. For me it was a full circle moment because at this time last year I was so nervous about what was in store for me in the upcoming year. After being given the opportunity to talk about my year and watch it back on the news, I knew I made the right decision going to Ireland to pursue my masters. I wanted to specially speak on the fact that even though I didn’t “make it” to the NBA, I made “it” another way, which was by my education. My mom always preached to me growing up, “…get your education because no one can ever take it away from you.” and this holds true as I write this blog today.  So many kids in my neighborhood have the aspirations of going pro in the sport they love, but unfortunately most if not all of them will not make it. That doesn’t make them a failure, it just means they have more opportunities to be a success outside of their sport and I wanted to show them what success looks like outside of basketball.

I wrote a blog earlier in the academic year about the “4%”. The percentage is a representation of hispanic males with a masters degree within the United States. Upon completion of my thesis (hopefully by the grace of God) I will receive my degree in November. With that degree I will be the first in my family to obtain that level of degree and I will also be the “role model” for the kids in my community of what success looks like outside of sport.

So to the next class of victory scholars, congrats on taking this giant leap… you’re probably nervous and scared to do something like this but I promise you it WILL BE the best experience of your life and no one will be able to take it away from you.

#EarnYours

The link to the news story is here.

http://bronx.news12.com/clip/14856899/bronx-basketball-player-gives-back-to-community

I’ve been told countless times by my parents that it’s the people that make or break experiences-that no matter the occasion, it’s the people who dictate how memorable or worthwhile moments shared prove to be. It wasn’t until this past year, from the moments of graduating college to now completing my Victory Scholar experience, that I fully acknowledged the vivid truth in these statements. So, as my final blog post, I want to emphasize my gratitude to all of the people and relationships that that have been a part of not only this past year, but also my upbringing– from the people from my home town of Dunmore PA, extending into my high school of Scranton prep—and continuing to my college experience at HC, and now so prevalent as I finish my Victory Scholar year in Cork…the people and the relationships that first, molded me into a person eligible for this program, that have second, supported me in this memorable journey and have been critical in making my experience so unique, and have third, inspired me to go forward and chase my dreams to make them a reality.

To the people who have been the most recent impacts this year—from the staff at Sport Changes Life and my amazing fellow Victory Scholars, to my 8 dear MSc classmates and lecturers and the entirety of the CIT & Brunell basketball community, and of course to my #Network (Maddy Ganser and Shannon Brady) and the Bakers road apartment and its most valued residents and guests (shoutout Kyle, Adam, Linda) THANK YOU for welcoming me as family, for challenging my perspective, and for inspiring me on a daily basis. For showing me what balance really looks like and for being individuals I can now consider best friends… Thank you for sharing your story with me and proving that each and every person and her experience is unique, that no one way is the right way, and that a quality of life doesn’t always depend on your country or your income.

To my hometown —Scranton (Dunmore, if we’re being technical), PA—and its people. Anyone who experienced this last year with me in Cork knows that I have had the opportunity to meet numerous new people that have somewhat random, but nonetheless valued, connections from my hometown. “Is that another one of your random Scranton connections?” was what Justus frequently asked…Whether it’s been catching a lift to drive the length of the country by an Irish coach from NEPA, meeting close family friends out in Dublin, or knocking on the door of your cousins grandfather’s old home in Mayo to be welcomed in by his aunt…to getting dinner with an old teammate that’s studying abroad,  grabbing lunch with your grandmothers old neighbor’s son or the guy who knows your uncle’s friend, catching drinks with a friend of a friends’ friend (ok, you get the point), I’ve been blessed with so many people who have been willing to take the time to introduce themselves to me, and show a genuine care for me, simply because of my roots or mutual connections. So, thank you to the people of both NEPA and “The Peoples Republic” for providing me with a circle of people that I can trust despite the fact that I am in a country that’s not my own and for ultimately making Cork feel like a true second home.

 

To Holy Cross and the Patriot League

Thank you for teaching me how to be a student-athlete at both the undergrad and the master’s level…for teaching me how to think critically and to write effectively, to prioritize and balance, to serve others, and to value the development of the whole self #CuraPersonalis. For enabling me to see the value in “Networking” that any HC student or alumni knows too well, and for giving me the confidence to put on my best blazer, and my best smile, to excel in an international job interview that a year ago I probably would have stuttered in every effort to sell myself. To the life-long friends that I have made—from my HCWBB squads and alumni (+coaches and practice players alike) both in the U.S and across the pond, and my besties who have introduced me to SCL and who have stayed in touch despite the distance and hectic schedules (Cat Darcy—your spirit lives through my sheep mug so technically we still live together)…Thanks for inviting me to share my story via a last minute skype interview-with my beautiful background as a backdrop-that enabled old friends and family to interact with my experience, and which hopefully encouraged young student athletes to apply to the unmatched program that is Sport Changes Life.

To my parents

Thank you for being my mentors and best friends, the superhumans who make life’s challenges look easy and never fail to acknowledge the blessings. For providing me with three older sisters and an older brother that are too, my mentors and best friends. For bringing me into a family of numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles who never fail to make life exciting (especially when they make trips to visit the homeland… those stories are for another time, but hopefully there are many more to come). Thank you for encouraging me to take my own path regardless of those before me, for teaching me how to serve others and treat all people with respect and dignity, and for encouraging me to trust the journey. Thank you for being there through my highest highs and lowest lows, and for challenging and encouraging me to be the best version of myself on a daily basis. A short paragraph could never express my gratitude to you and our family for your consistent efforts but know that there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t give thanks for the both of you.

To the VS class of 2020

Thanks for believing in the mission… for taking a risk to spend the next few months in a foreign country and for challenging the norms of your peers…for committing to raise the aspirations of young people through the game we all know and love…For stepping out of your comfort zone in ways you may not yet realize… thank you for joining the family– My hope for you is that you can develop similar relationships and grow your own network in this experience… that you’re willing to engage with all of the people in your Irish experience, from community fans to the strangers you encounter on the street, (even if that means going on a date with a randomer on a night before a final exam) and that you hear each and every story, so ultimately, you can have the courage to write your own.

Sláinte!

First off, congratulations for getting to this point! You’ve demonstrated yourself to be a champion in the classroom, on the court, and in your local community.

If you’re anything like me twelve months ago, you’re anxious and itching to get over here, but nervous nonetheless. You likely only know of Galway because of Ed Sheeran, and that’s okay. You’re not alone. You don’t know me, and I don’t know you, but take these words from a complete stranger to heart, if you carry yourself with the same fervor that has helped you secure this opportunity, your time in Ireland will be some of the best months of your life. Do not expect every day to go smoothly. You’ll get caught in the rain . . . a lot. You’ll miss your family and friends back home. Some days you just won’t have the motivation to coach or go to class. But think of it like this: you’ll never regret seeing the smile on that child’s face after making his first basket or doing an extra credit assignment that your other classmates skip. If you attack every day with my fellow scholar’s (shoutout Andrew Curiel) mentality, ‘win the day’, you can look back on your time here proudly with no regrets.

As a Galway-based scholar, your experience will differ slightly from the others. In a small city with large influxes of tourism, housing opportunities are tight; so, not only will you share your apartment with others, you will share your bedroom with someone else as well. Don’t stress about this. Each semester I roomed with a group of American study abroad students, and they were some of the best people I’ve met on this island. With that being said, however, do not limit yourself to just this social network. After all, you’re in Ireland! Immerse yourself in the new environment, and meet new people in class, in university-sponsored recreational clubs, and out drinking in the Latin Quarters.

Unlike some of your peers, you will not be coaching a specific team or group of children. In contrast, you’ll be leaving your imprint across Galway city and the Connacht region. Whether it’s with the St. Michaels and Claddagh National School kids, the Basketball Ireland Regional Academy, or the local Special Olympics club, the Globetrotters, you’ll be exposed to a diverse range of people across a spectrum of racial, religious, mental, physical, emotional, and socioeconomic standing. Their skill levels will vary, and frankly, some will have zero interest in learning the game, but that’s okay. We’re here inspire the next generation using the vehicle of sport as our medium, but don’t stop there. Just as basketball doesn’t define them, it doesn’t define us either. Taking the time to connect with these kids emotionally through shared interests outside the gymnasium can have a more profound impact than any drills you teach them on the hardwood.

Lastly, as you’ve probably seen in your research, the Titans didn’t exactly have the most successful season in the National League. And if I am being honest, it likely won’t be significantly better next season either. The reality is that you’re inheriting a young, very young, team. But don’t be discouraged. For many of our guys, this season was their first exposure to older, stronger, and more skilled competition. Yes, at times it was stressful. It was deflating. After all, nobody enjoys losing. But you’re coming into a tough-minded group, although sometimes too tough-minded (yes, I’m talking to you Ben). There is so much potential amongst these kids, and you just happen to be around during the process of their development rather than their finished products. They’re great kids who are a lot of fun to be around, and while they’ll sometimes reject your criticisms as any teenager does, they’re hungry to learn and improve. Playing alongside them, you’ll be looked at as a role-model and leader, but don’t be surprised to learn more about yourself along the way.

This is what you have signed up for by joining the Sport Changes Life family, and I’m sure you’ll do everyone at headquarters proudly. While you’re here to assist others, you’re also here to better yourself as well. So take advantage of the resources and people around you. Go travel. Try new food. Welcome new experiences. When your time in the program is done, you can’t get it back, so make it count. And if you ever need advice or assistance, don’t hesitate to contact me through social media, or get my contact information from Sam.

 

Not all goals need to be major. Yesterday, I finally reached a small goal that I set out to achieve when I first arrived. It involves food. Mexican food to be specific. During my college days, and even after I graduated, I spent a good amount of time at Chipotle devouring burritos. It is one of my favorite fast food restaurants because of the taste and portion of food. After a good chipotle meal, the stomach is usually satisfied. I knew I wouldn’t miss chipotle too much in Ireland because I did want to embrace Irish food and I did. However, I still had time to discover other restaurants. 

When I first arrived in Ireland, Boojum was described to me as the Irish Chipotle. When I heard this I knew I had to try it. Within my first month in Ireland, a couple of my friends and I stopped by a Boojum to test out the hype. When we arrived the first thing I noticed was the music. There was a drake song playing followed by a few other hip hop songs. No, they were not censored so it caught me by surprised to hear curse words while ordering. But, It was enjoyable at the same time. After I ordering, I noticed the food selection was very similar to chipotle with minor differences in options. I ended up getting a bowl with rice, chicken, jalapeños, hot salsa, sour cream and cheese. I was very impressed. The portion was about the same as chipotle but I could tell by the taste they seasoned their food differently. 

I know you’re probably wondering what was the goal I mentioned earlier? Well, at Boojum, to be considered a Boojum addict you must eat at Boojum 40 times with every 10th meal being free. So, on the days I had practice I would stop at boojum for a nice meal. The student discount probably saved me a fortune. By my 20th visit, I had friends behind the counter and they knew exactly what I wanted to order. I was able to reach 40 visits and I can’t lie it felt nice getting a boojum addict T-shirt. The small goals are just as important. 

I wrote my first blog 90 minutes into my 23rd birthday on my second night in Sligo. I’d just finished up memorable 10 days in Belfast where I’d made 33 new friends, had my first opportunity to work in an Irish school, and learned the ins and outs of what it meant to be a Victory Scholar. I remember feeling energised by all the new experiences and weirdly immune to homesickness. Here, I sit 9 months later, wondering where the time has gone as I prepare to finally head home. Things are different. I’m not ready to crown this as the best year of my life (yet), but it sure as hell has been the most rewarding. I’ve been challenged more in Ireland than I ever was back home, impressive considering I played 4 years under Landry Kosmalski. For the better part of a year my life has been turbulent, filled with continuous new experiences. I grew up more this year than I ever imagined and am grateful for each peak and valley that contributed to that process.

I thought I was prepared to move to Ireland. I wasn’t. I hugely underestimated how hard it would be. Here are two major roadblocks that knocked me back but ultimately made me a better person.

The first was basketball. Before Ireland I played for a college program obsessed with the details where I was a small piece to a larger vision and culture. At Swarthmore my teammates and I were expected to put our team before all else including academic commitments, holiday time with family, and individual egos. Those sacrifices allowed us to bond in ways I’d never experienced before college, and probably will never experience again. Last summer I worked on my game every day in the hot Swarthmore gym, just as I had in the years before. I arrived at my first Sligo All-Stars practice ready to compete and expected my teammates and coaches to match that intensity. Boy was I wrong. Basketball here is so different than anything I was used to. I was sharing the court with high schoolers that were 17 and fathers in their 30’s who played the game more for fun. They’d miss practice or games if they had a tough week of assignments or practice for another sport. My first few weeks on the team were frustrating. I wasn’t used to losing. I struggled to adjust to the European style of play. The range of talent in the league was enormous. I was shocked that some of the referees didn’t even know the rules but managed to gave American’s a less favorable whistle.

After the first week of practice I was voted captain by my new teammates, an honor that humbled me. Early on I did a poor job filling that new role. My game sucked, and my leadership was even worse. For some reason I expected to move a foreign culture and play in a league with different rules thinking basketball would be the exact same as it was in the United States. When I realized that I was the problem, not Irish basketball, I worked to change my mindset each day going forward. In games instead of fuming at referees, I’d banter with them after a questionable call. In practice I acted as a teacher first and a competitor second. Most of all I learned to care a bit less about the result and more about having fun, interacting with the crowd, and being like my Irish teammates. Our team that started 3-5 went on to win 10 in a row, something I’d never done in my whole career. There was a point where we were the hottest team in the whole country and our tiny home gym was packed to the brim with rowdy Sligo fans. The new mindset helped me I play more like myself. The club ended up missing promotion by a few games but celebrated one of the winningest seasons in recent memory. I was one of five players voted First Team All Ireland at the end of it all, but more importantly helped lay a foundation that will hopefully lead to further success in coming years. I’ve grown to love, appreciate, and admire Irish basketball.

When I chose Swarthmore I wanted a challenge and got every bit of what I signed up for. During tough times I always had friends to lean on that were going through something similar. We lived together, put in late nights at the library together, lost championships together, failed tests together, woke up for early morning lifts together, etc. If I needed more support, my parents were 30 minutes down the road. I had a safety net and I used it often. I’d left all of that to move to a tiny town in Northwest Ireland which was a 3 hour drive from any major city, had more sheep than people, and more pubs than Americans. The second thing I underestimated was how difficult it was to live alone.

It was Sport Changes Life’s first year in Sligo, so we were the first scholars playing at Sligo. I met my only roommate hours before I boarded my flight. People spoke English but it was so hard to understand it might as well have been a different language. The time difference made it difficult to watch my favorite sports teams and keep in touch my friends. By the time they’d get home from work I was asleep. I’d been in a relationship for years that didn’t survive the move. My college classes were taught and graded differently. The sun wouldn’t rise until 9 and it would get dark at 4. It rained every day and seeing sun was a rare treat. I missed holidays, birthday parties, reunions, you name it. It was the most challenging time in my life and I had no safety net. My only choice was to grow up and figure things out on my own.

Slowly things began to turn around. My family visited for Christmas, I got to see some college buddies on vacation, I picked up some new hobbies that kept me busy, and most of all I made some friends in Sligo. Best friends. Guys that I lived with, studied with, lost championships with, rode long away bus rides with, and who I plan to know for the rest of my life. The past few months have been incredible. Granted the weather is nice, the days are long, and school is winding down, but I have very mixed feelings about leaving Sligo. This little town and the wonderful people here will always have a spot in my heart. It’s my home away from home.

Ireland is a special place. I’ve learned so much here. The speed here is slower and the culture is more laid back. There is no rush to get to the next thing or worry that things won’t work out. The Irish always live in the present. They value family and friends higher than anything else. Countless times I had complete strangers put down whatever they were doing just to lend a hand, or make me feel welcome. I’ve never experienced friendliness like I have here. It’s contagious. Americans could use a little more love and kindness. Lately it seems we spend more time breaking people down than building them up. I like to think I’ll bring some of the Irish culture home with me.

To the people I met in Sligo, thank you for helping a random Yank find his way. You’ve changed my life. I’ll be back to visit whenever I can.

Until then… Sláinte!

The beauty of Donegal cannot be put into words. So for that reason, I will let some of the photos from over the past year do the talking. Donegal was voted one of the coolest places in the world by National Geographic in 2017 for good reason. It’s an isolated rurual county with a small population, but its packed with views unlike anything else on the planet.  Below are my top 5 must see places in the county. Keep in mind that the pictures don’t do any of these amazing places justice, but they’ll have to do for now.

 

#1 Slieve Leugue

With some of the highest and finest marine cliffs in Europe, Slieve League is not to be missed. As soon as the cliffs come into view, your jaw is guaranteed to drop, as it is likely the most majestic thing you’ve ever seen. While the pictures are nice, you must see this area in person to truly grasp just how elite the views are.

 

       

 

#2 Port Salon

Ballymastocker Bay is also known as Port Salon Beach about 15 minutes from Letterkenny. This is a truly spectacular area located on the Fanad Peninsula in north county Donegal. It was once voted the second most beach beautiful in the World by readers of the Observer Magazine. It’s bright golden sand surrounded by gaping mountains and wildlife make the place strikingly attractive. Port Salon is not only perfect place for a romantic date, but its overall vibe and pure beauty make this spot one of a kind. If your fortunate enough to visit, climb up the neighboring mountain and you will likely be speechless of the view below.

                                    

 

 

 

#3 Glenvegh National Park

Glenvegh National Park is the second largest National park in Ireland. With over 40,873 acres of mountains, lakes, glens and woods, it is a can’t -miss spot for nature lovers. The enormous brown mountains and orange/ yellowish terrain offer a unique setting that will captivate you.  It’s a serene environment that is mysteriously attractive, and its uncanny landscape gives one the feeling that they are walking on mars. The end of the trail is equipped with a Scottish style castle is surrounded by one of the finest gardens in Ireland, which contrast with the rugged, mountaineous surroundings. The unique landscape coupled with the deep grey sky make the entire scene look like something that was drawn by a refined artist.

 

               

#4 Gweedore

Gweedore lies between the impressive slopes of Mount Errigal, and the deeply indented Atlantic coastline. Here, there are hundreds of tiny coves and bays where allegedly, fishermen used to practice their trade, and tiny communities were born. Gweedore is reffered to as “cradle of Irish culture”, with some of Ireland’s oldest customs, traditional music, but what makes this place special is its stunning views. We discovered the spot on the way to a coaching gig. As we were looking out the window, the views were so tantalizing that we haulted the car and got out to basque in it is gloriousness.

 

       

 

#5 Fanad head lighthouse

With its location in the Donegal Gaeltacht on the eastern shore of the Fanad Peninsula, sandwiched between a massive glacial cove, the views of Fanad Head Lightouse are simply exquisite. It is no surprise this lighthouse is considered by many to be one of the world’s most beautiful lighthouses in Europe. The idyllic looking whitewashed light house has a natural attraction to it that leaves viewers completely enchanted.

                 

 

 

 

 

This is Easter Zack and I set up and ran our Sport Changes Life Victory Scholar Allstars Easter Basketball Camp. We did not however call it that the entire time, in order to save breath. We worked with some teammates and friends and used our home gym at Mercy College in Sligo to host this awesome event and had a great turnout.

The set up was for three days of non-stop basketball teaching, learning and fun. We ran through simple drills to teach the younger group some necessary fundamentals the first day, then let the madness ensue. The kids loved the themes we set up the following two days with ‘jersey’ day and ‘rep your town’ day. How many Steph jerseys do you think we saw? Correct, “a lot” was the right answer! Thankfully, there were no injuries or fights, and having run camps for years before this I could tell you some stories. None the less, everything ran smoothly for the younger group. The older group was also fun because they knew what they were doing so the camp competitions were more competitive. It was also more enjoyable to teach in depth and push their skillset somewhere new for them. The best coaches I have had always pushed me to be better and truly believed I could get better in the first place.

Shortly after this camp, meaning the day after, I travelled down the coast to Ballina. For you American’s reading this, it is not pronounced (Bah-lee-nah) with emphasis on the ‘li’, it is said (Bah-lih-nah) with emphasis on the ‘Ba’. Similar rules follow for the pronunciation of Donegal but in reverse, if that makes sense. Anyways, after learning how to correctly speak, I had the opportunity to coach for two more days in county Mayo. This group of kids was a little more coherent with the sport than the group in Sligo, which is okay. In Sligo we wanted kids who had never played before to join us and gain interest. This camp in Ballina was for guys, and five girls, that already had some training and game experience. Again, I got to coach with a little more fervour with the younger group and the older guys. In fact, the older group at this camp had some big guys that were susceptible to coaching and learning about post fundamentals. The other coach was Victory Scholar Cullen Donovan and we got to play together with the kids after each day of camp. They got dunked on a couple of times and could not have enjoyed it more.

 

Easter Joke:

What does the Easter Bunny get for making a basket?

Two points, just like everyone else.

 

So after graduating college I didn’t think that I would be continuing school. I definitely didn’t think I’d be continuing school in a different country and I definitely, DEFINITELY didn’t think that I would pursuing my masters in the subject that I am. Yet here I am with just a few more weeks left before I hold a Master’s degree in a course titled Governance, Compliance and Data protection in Financial Services (Try to say that two times fast). If you think that sounds a bit complicated and difficult, then congratulations because you couldn’t be more right! I don’t have enough room to explain all of the things we learn but the majority of it is focused on; the importance and methods used to protect critical and private data, the regulations and standards used to govern company data policies, computer hardware/software and cyber security, the function of the world economy and plenty more.

Mind you, these are all subjects I have never studied or was ever interested in at any point in my life whatsoever. Therefore, within the first few weeks of school, it’s safe to say I felt like a certified fraud in the classroom. I still was struggling to understand my professors accents and top of that, my classmates were all an average about 25 years older than I am. I thought I had no one to relate to, as well as no one who was as unprepared for this class as I was. My daily thoughts in class consisted of the things like, how was I placed in a technology based class when I barely know which remote to use to turn on the TV? Why does everyone spell words like organize and recognize like “organise ” or “recognise”? What the heck is compliance and how will it ever benefit my life? Initially, the class might as well have been taught in Chinese because I was beyond lost. Fortunately, since then my mindset has evolved and I’m now seeing how interesting the topic. Also I don’t want to speak too soon but it’s looking like I’m going to pass and that feels like a miraculous accomplishment.

 

Part of the reason I was able to survive the year is because those same classmates who just so happen to be parents age, ended up being as friendly and as helpful as anyone I’ve ever met. In speaking with them I discovered I wasn’t the only one feeling overwhelmed. The last time many of them wrote a paper was on a type writer and the only search engine that was available to them was called the public library. I was relieved, and once I joined the class group chats which we used to guide and assist one another, I knew I would never take Irish hospitality for granted ever again. I decided that all I could do was give it my best shot and whatever happens, happens.

The initial assignments were the most challenging since I was unaware of how papers would be graded or what the professors were looking for. Also, the terminology and wording of the assignments were extremely confusing and technical.  I found myself spending hours researching the basic terms and phrases just so I could establish some context before I attempted to answer the prompt. I went as far as reaching out to friends back home to see if they had any information on things like equity markets, annuities, and firewalls (they never did). My parents don’t know this but there ended up being several nights where I genuinely had no clue if would pass or not. Almost all students know the feeling of completing a long and difficult paper. You feel like your hair is turning grey and your head might explode but most importantly, when it’s finally finished, you feel a sense of pride. Just like in basketball and life, when you put in work for something and you see results, it builds confidence and it motivates you to keep going. So after I got my first few assignments back and I managed to pass, I began to believe in my ability more and more as I learned about subjects I’d NEVER even thought about. Now, these days I’m regularly writing 20 page papers on things like cloud computing which if you know me, that is something I never thought I would say.

In struggling throughout this class I’ve learned some valuable lessons. For one, if you’re ever in a position where you feel out of place and you might fail, don’t be afraid to reach out for assistance. I know for a fact that without my new middle aged friends at LYIT I wouldn’t be prospering like I am now. The second is that is it crucial to understand your “why”. Why are you doing this in the first place and what reason do you have to continue. My “why”is my family and all that they’ve sacrificed to get me here as well as all the benefits a masters could have for my future. Without a legitimate reason “why” it’s much easier to lose motivation when adversity strikes. These two semesters have been as challenging as any but now that I’ve almost made it through, I’m nothing but grateful.

 

When I was young, I wanted to be just like some of my camp counselors including replicating how they talk and walk. With that in mind, I consider camps the perfect opportunity to be a role model both on the court and as an individual. From my experience, majority of young kid just want to have as much fun as possible and aren’t exactly interesting in improving. I can remember stomping my feet and almost wanting to cry when a coach would yell “station work!” Or,  “Let’s talk about defense!”. Like many others at a young age my only concern was actually playing. Even though at one point in time, that meant traveling the whole game and aimlessly chucking the ball at the rim. So on some level I can relate too many of these kids here

I was fortunate enough to go to dozens of camps growing up and I definitely learned plenty from them. For me, camps played a huge roll in inspiring my love for the game and  I know for a fact that the challenges offered by them shaped my competive spirit and motivated me to keep after it. But the reality is that camps will never transform a beginner into an elite basketballer. They do however do a great job of planting the seed and providing a foundation for players to build off. Also the camps have provided me the opportunutity to pass on things I WISH I knew that I was younger, so lately I’ve been doing just that.

 

The kids are always a mixed bunch. Some are them are only there because their parents dropped them off to get a break, and others are there only because they begged their parents to come. Regardless of their reason for showing up, a positive impact can be made on every one of them. For example, when I was growing up, I had a pavement basement that I would spend hours in doing drills that I got from camps, YouTube, or just my imagination. Some were ridiculous and probably waste of time but some of them  definitely played a part in getting me where I am today. After years of trial and error ive developed a good sense of what works and what doesn’t. In fact,  much of the drills I show come straight from that basement in Cleveland! Another reason that I prioritize ball handling is because you don’t need any height or athleticism…it’s something that improves purely through hard-work. For those reasons, I try to squeeze 30 minutes of dribbling into every session and I send kids home with challenges to measure progress.

After years of grueling workouts in pursuit of my own goals, it gives me a sense of purpose to pass on the knowledge thats accumulated over the years to Irish hoopers who are going down a similar path. Shout out to Sport Changes Life for allowing me to spread lessons I learned on courts in Cleveland to kids the other side of the planet.

                                               

One major difference between Ireland and the states Is how young athletes perceive basketball players. Realistically, in America  if I told a kid that I was a D-3 basketball player they usually just shrug there shoulders and ask why I wasn’t D-1. Here, on the other hand it doesn’t matter if you were Division 1 or Division 6, in the eyes of young Irish athlete we’re all stars. I’m sure other Victory Scholars can attest that some of the reactions at the primary schools we visit are pricesless. The norm when you walk in the door is jaws dropping, getting swarmed with a million questions and kids begging for your Instagram. Many have never seen American “professional” basketball players before so it is our job to make a positive impression on them. Almost all young hoopers dream of being like MJ, Kobe, Lebron. Everything including re-inacting there moves in the backyard, mimicking there celebrations, and completely internalizing their re words of advice. Majority of kids here have never seen high-level basketball in live action so from their perspective, to a much smaller extent, we are that “MJ” like figure.

I realized the amount of influence we have on the young ballers at one of our basketball games a few weeks back. In the week leading up to the game, we ran a basketball camp in different locations around Donegal and handed out free tickets to the upcoming game. When game – day finally arrived I was amped to play in front of a decent home crowd. I had been teaching basketball moves for the past 5 days and I was delighted to demonstrate to the young fans what can happen if you keep practicing. Well in the first half of play, I was horrific! Bricking foul shots, turnovers, air balling shots, you name it. At halftime, I can recall sitting on the bench absoloutely heated.  I wanted to make sure the campers that showed up had fun, and I just knewI wasn’t doing that at all. As the game was about to continue, two ten year old campers about  walked up to the bench and tapped me on the shoulder.

 “Hey can you show me how to do that spin-betweeen-the-legs-thing that you did? That was amazing!”

And then the other said,

“Your doing great can I get your autograph?”

 

 

I couldn’t help but laugh and thank them. I promised them that I would do both of those things right after the game. I was humbled. There was I was feeling sorry for myself on the bench when all the while, those kids were just happy to be there and were some how still impressed with what they saw.  I realized at that moment that the game was bigger than me. They didn’t care about how garbage I was playing, they were only there to admire basketball on a level they had never seen before. I was thankful to to think that my ability could bring that much joy and excitement to someone. The kids made my day and I was much better more positive in the second half despite a losing effort.

 

There ended up being over 20+ kids that arrived to that game and judging of there excitement, you would’ve thought we just won a championship. Their positivity and genuine interest in the game changed my perspective. Our situation is allows us to inspire every time we step on the court and that day reminded me of the importance of sitting back and enjoying the process of influencing those around you. That is why I play this game!

Five months ago I wrote a blog post about meeting Irish relatives I never knew I had. My Dad, who organized the reunion, shared my writing via Facebook and it got great feedback from friends and family members back home. One of the people who read the post was Sonja Vink, a woman living outside Ultrecht in The Netherlands who had met my Dad when they were 17. He and a friend had stayed in Sonja’s childhood home on a student exchange trip organized by his high school and later Sonja had crossed the pond to stay with my Dad and experience Rochester, NY with his family. They had kept in touch for a few years afterward but drifted as life went on. 40 years later Sonja found my Dad on Facebook and they reconnected. When she learned he had a son studying in Ireland she reached out to him and suggested I come to The Netherlands to visit. I had already planned a trip over Easter Break to visit a childhood friend that had recently moved to Amsterdam and was able to work in a short trip down to Ultrecht to meet Sonja and reconnect our two families a generation later.

Spending time in a Dutch family gave me true insight into their culture and history, something that I could never have gotten as a tourist in Amsterdam. They were fascinated to hear about life in the United States (especially our political scene), as well as my experience in Ireland. I learned about The Netherlands transformative experience in World War 2, their history of controlling the sea and reclaiming land, and what it truly means to live sustainably. It was reassuring to spend time in a country that not only acknowledges climate change, but is actively preparing for it and attempting to cut their carbon footprint.

Sonja’s house was one of the coolest I’ve ever been in. Designed by Dutch architects it was built vertically and utilizes every possible square foot of space in the most unique ways (secret rooms, pull out drawers, tiny cubbies for storage). Despite rows of houses the neighborhood was anything but cramped. Each Dutch family has fantastic plants in their front and back gardens and make an active effort to live among nature. Canals are incorporated between houses, areas of field and green space are required, and there are designated spots for children to hangout so that they don’t loiter in public places. Trash bins are sorted based on glass, plastic, compost, and paper materials. Each house is solar powered with electric car chargers in the driveway. The windows are multi-use and have shades on the outside and inside so that you can ventilate the house in specific ways depending on the weather and regulate temperature naturally, when it’s not raining or freezing cold people spend time outside. The train is a short walk away, comes every few minutes, and can take you anywhere in the Netherlands. Transportation is quick, efficient, clean, and cheap. Cars are only used for long drives, and bikes are used to get anywhere in a 10km radius, while trains are used to access major cities.

The United States is a country that is heavily influenced by the automobile industry. Our government subsidises car ownership through free parking, building expansive highway networks, and subsidising gasoline. I’ve always thought that having a car is required if you live in the suburbs of a major city because that’s what I grew up knowing. Most families on The Main Line have at least two cars, some have three or four and it’s far more common to see a gas guzzling SUV than a small hybrid. While convenient, American’s reliance on automobiles is crippling our environment. Climate change will have a huge impact on my future and my children’s future. One thing Europeans have figured out is limiting car use. I’ve lived abroad for 9 months and haven’t seen one SUV or pick up truck. Even in Ireland people pay much more for gas which makes public transportation an attractive alternate. Experiencing a Dutch suburb changed my perspective on potential of sustainable living. Not only is it possible, but it’s attractive. These houses were beautiful, the neighborhoods were clean and full of life, and the standard of living was incredibly high. When the United States government decides to recognize climate change and take action against it, the Dutch have created a model that we can learn from and replicate. The day where a Green New Deal becomes mandatory for American cities is coming sooner than we all think.

Meeting Sonja and her family is an experience that will stay with me for years. During my year abroad I’ve had the opportunity to familiarize myself with multiple foreign cultures. Each has broadened my perspective and caused me to view the world in a unique light. Travel, I believe, is the purest way to live and grow. It will always be a priority in my life

Any good writer will tell you that before sitting down to write, you should have a goal in mind and a direction you want to head with your writing. I don’t have any idea what I’m about to write, I’m mostly just thinking out loud. It has been a while since I’ve written one of these, and honestly I don’t know if anyone reads them, but I figured I should sit down and at least record my thoughts.

The last few weeks have been pretty hectic, not necessarily bad – I’ve actually done lots of fun stuff. I’ve became better friends with the international students on campus, I was able to finish tied for 2nd in my final golf tournament of the year, and coaching at Holywood GC is going very well. It has been stressful, though. I was finishing up my interviews for a job that I really wanted, and waiting for their response was a killer. I am happy to say that I came out victorious and will be working in Dubai starting in September. I am really excited and I really wanted the job, it will do wonders for me both culturally and for my career. However, it will mean going even farther from home. I’m not the kind of person who ever gets homesick, and I don’t necessarily want to ever make a permanent return to my hometown. Being on literally the other side of the world will be a huge challenge, I’ve been lucky that balancing my home social life hasn’t been that tough while in Belfast. I can still text no problem, and keep up with social media and whatnot but that will be way tougher in Dubai. I’m sure I’ll figure it out and be fine, but it is definitely something to consider.

My time here is winding down. I’m getting to the point where everyone is asking when I’ll be headed home, and my fellow scholar-turned-close-friend Michael Riopel is headed home tomorrow. He has some great things to get back to and I’m happy for him, but I (and everyone else) will miss him this final month. Kollyns is leaving in a few days as well, and I will definitely miss her as we’ve always meshed perfectly with similar senses of humor and laid back but positive attitudes. It seems strange to see both of them go – it feels like just yesterday we all met for the first time.

Perhaps more than any single person, I’m going to miss coaching the juniors at Holywood Golf Club. I’ve formed such great relationships with all of them. I know coaching carries a strong degree of responsibility and requires being professional, but I honestly look at them like they are little brothers and sisters that I truly care for, much beyond golf. They’ve made my time here truly fantastic. We do so much coaching at HGC – we have devoted almost every weekend for 9 months to that program. Not having weekends to ourselves can be tough, but sometimes there is no place I would rather be, and I know for a fact when I go home I will feel like a piece of me is left behind at Holywood. I don’t know how, but I’m going to do my best to keep in contact with the program and stay updated on all of their inevitable successes.

I sat down at my desk 15 minutes ago with no goal, but I’m glad that’s what I did. The taste is a bit bittersweet, and although this type of blog would usually be reserved for the final one before I go home, I think getting these thoughts out into the open with another month remaining will help me savour and appreciate everything before I go. The air feels heavier than it did 15 minutes ago, but sometimes that is for the best.

As many of you may know, being a Sport Changes Life Golf Scholar means that myself and Phillip venture up to Holywood Golf Club most weekends.

Sundays are our main day of coaching, where we run three fun hour long sessions from 9-12. These sessions are for beginners where we play relaxed games and start to develop relationships, gain confidence and begin basic technique work. On Sunday afternoons, we will send most of the “Development Squad” out onto the course where they play various matches against one another. The development squad are juniors who are slightly older and who know the do’s and don’ts of a golf course and are at a certain ability. Over the 8 months of watching and guiding these juniors, this section has become my favourite part of the weekend. It has been a pleasure to have seen the juniors go from strength to strength, not only with their golfing abilities, but also their personalities, confidence, etiquette for the sport.

It is wonderful to see so many competitive boys and girls that are so enthusiastic for the game of golf, come rain or shine. What is exciting for HGC’s programme is that there are a couple of young individuals that are exceptionally talented and are comfortably in the top 5 juniors in the country for their age group. Watching these youngsters battle it out on a weekly basis has been fantastic as it reminds me of when I was a young and extremely competitive. I will miss not being able to walk alongside them on their golfing journeys as they are so talented and a pleasure to work with. Golfing ability aside, it makes it so much more pleasant when the 40 + young golfers we come and guide every weekend are polite, positive and cheerful young people. Holywood Golf Club should be seriously proud of their junior section for producing such respecful, passionate and hardworking juniors who continue to represent club and country. 

Holywood Golf Club (with a huge thanks to Michael Alexander the head junior coach) has been such a great club to have spent coaching in my year with Sport Changes Life. I will certainly be making trips back to Holywood in the future.

 

Now that the year is closing, I’m starting to think about what comes next. I’ve had a few job prospects, and this has required me to reflect on my experience as a Victory Scholar. Specifically, I’ve been thinking about the skills that the program has allowed me to develop and how these skills can transfer over to a coaching career in my future. One of the biggest things I’m coming out of Victory Scholars with is confidence.

I definitely had confidence coming into the Victory Scholars program, but it was a different kind of confidence. I was confident in my ability to play basketball and to lead a team, but I didn’t have too much experience coaching yet. Working with different groups here in Ireland really helped me become comfortable in my voice on the court. As time progressed this year, I could feel myself becoming a more effective communicator. I discovered how to explain concepts more concisely, and I learned that players need to be taught differently sometimes. For example, I may need to explain the concept of a pivot in two different ways to different kids. Practice makes perfect, and the Victory Scholars program has afforded me the invaluable opportunity to practice my skills as a young coach.

What comes next? My goal in life is to be involved in basketball as long as I can be. While my competitive playing career may be coming to an end, I still want to give something back to the game. I’ve always enjoyed helping others. Whether it’s helping a teammate with a problem or working through a homework problem with someone, I’ve always found fulfillment in impacting others. The perfect way to combine my passion for basketball and for impacting others is through coaching. In particular, I would love to get back to the college level and help student-athletes have an experience like I had at Grinnell College. My college coaches helped me develop as a player, but more importantly as a person, and I can only hope that one day I might be able to do something similar for a collegiate student-athlete.

How do you describe an experience that you yourself still cannot fully make sense of? This is where my head is at right now. Morocco. The place that has been by far my most memorable excursion to date has also been the most difficult to verbalize and convey to others. I’d heard stories and received advice beforehand on travelling to Marrakech and its, eh, unique environment, but nothing can truly prepare you for immersing yourself into the city firsthand . . . So I learned upon arrival.

I’ve been told the objective of travel is to feel uncomfortable — to extend beyond the security of what you know and to embrace the unknown nuances that different cultures, landscapes, cuisines, and people offer — and that is no foreign sentiment for travelers in Old Town Marrakech. Though travelling solo brings many concerns and uncertainties to some, I’ve luckily had previous positive experiences with it; the trip did however encompass several other firsts, notably: my first time in Africa, my first time in a predominantly Muslim nation, and most excitingly, my first time seeing sunlight in eight months!

The best I can describe my time in Marrakech as is chaotic sensory overload. The medieval, fortified city thrives on tourism, with all alleyways and avenues converging upon the renown pandemonium that is the Jemaa el-Fnaa city center. From sunrise to well beyond sunset, musical and tribal dance entertainment, snake charmers, henna artists, and merchants all compete for the attention of thousands of individuals, as vehicles, horses, motorbikes, and pedestrians navigate themselves in every which way. It is an experience that requires your undivided attention and ‘guard up’ mentality at all times. It is not a destination for the faint of heart, and certainly not for the weak minded; if you can overlook the filthy streets and poor living and working conditions of the local population, you’re sure to encounter other concerns. GPS is of trivial use — the intricate labyrinth of souk alleys within the medina will leave you aimless and lost for hours on end. Petty crime and exploitative locals will seek to scam you out of Dirham in exchange for directions, or worse, attempt to lure you into back alleyways to their friend or relatives’ shops to purchase their goods or rob you. And, as you can likely guess, a 6’7” solo traveler with the skin complexion of Casper the Ghost is a prime target. To put it bluntly, the trip proved stressful, and even at times scary, but ultimately it really pushed me to grow. To become comfortable being uncomfortable. More important than experimenting with new food and experiences, my time in Marrakech challenged me to break through barriers and enhance my ability to handle obstacles independently: to shake the self-conscious feeling of travelling alone and build self-confidence, to develop my problem-solving skills, and to simply be resourceful in foreign environments.

In travel and in life you can fold in the face of adversity or tackle it head on. I’d like to think my years engaged in athletics has taught me to choose the latter, and I’m glad it has. Because beyond the challenges of my time in Morocco were some of the most memorable experiences I’ve had in my life: camping out in the Sahara Desert under the stars, visiting with a Berber Tribe to learn about their distinctive carpet-making pedigree, and waking up each morning to the call to prayer at 5 AM. Paul Theroux once said that travel is only glamorous in retrospect. While I don’t agree in full, with regards to Morocco specifically, I am now beginning to fully appreciate the experiences I had there and how unique the trip was. Sometimes your senses become so overloaded in the moment that it takes time for the dust to settle and your thoughts to process in order for the memories to clearly permeate through.

 

 

Sport has impacted me greatly throughout my life; really to the point where trying to put it in words is near impossible. I was on the fence about posting this blog mainly because not many people know my story. I’m not exactly what you would call an “open book”. However, I figured this year in Ireland was all about opening up and growing, so I decided to share my story.

Like almost every young adult, I’ve faced a lot of adversity throughout my life. Whether it was career threatening injuries or other personal battles I’ve always had sport to help guide me towards a larger purpose.

When I was a junior in high school my dad was diagnosed with stage 3 bladder cancer. It all happened so fast and came as a complete shock to myself and my family. My dad spent months in the hospital and there were weeks that went by where I couldn’t see him. With my sister away at college and my mom going straight to the hospital after she finished work, I was home alone a lot. Some of the only things I really had keeping me going were my academics, basketball and of course the support from my close friends and family. It was extremely difficult for me to process what was going on. My dad is the hardest working man I know. He is my coach, my biggest critic (in a positive way), and my biggest fan. He pushes me to be the best student, athlete, and person I can be. My dad is the reason for my love of sports and seeing him sick like that was the hardest thing I’ve had to go through in my life.

Basketball gave me the outlet I needed during these tough times to just forget about everything. I was able to turn to my teammates and coaches for the support and extra push I needed. Junior year was one of the most important years for academics and athletics because I knew I wanted to play basketball in college. Fortunately, this year was one of my best years both academically and athletically. I had my best basketball season yet, helping my team reach the PIAA State Playoffs while leading the team in scoring and receiving all-conference honors. I also was able to maintain over a 4.0 GPA.

Fast forward to my senior year in high school; thankfully my dad was recovering from his treatments and things were looking up! He was able to come to all of my games this year and I was not going to disappoint. I had a really good start to my senior year; averaging over 20 points per game, helping the team claim first-place in our league, and getting looks from numerous college coaches. Then, about three quarters of the way through our season, I endured every athlete’s worst nightmare. I was driving down the lane, planted my feet, pivoted to make a pass (something I don’t normally do haha), and felt a pop in my knee. Immediately I went down grasping my knee in pain. I was thinking to myself, no way, there’s no way this just happened. My family was in the stands and a few college coaches were here to see me play. I was absolutely devasted, I did everything in my power to not let my high school career end like that. Foolishly, I only sat out a few games and tried to play again. I ended up playing 5 more games but was unable to play to my full capabilities.

After the season, I got an MRI and was told the three devasting letters that no one wants to hear, ACL. I tore my ACL and meniscus. At first, I was crushed. I knew I wanted to play ball in college, but this injury left my basketball career in uncertainty. Some of the coaches who were recruiting me backed off, but luckily, I still had some interest. I chose to play for coach Hunter at York College and among many other things, his support throughout my injury helped make my decision easier. I knew the road to recovery was going to be grueling but my love for basketball pushed me every step of the way.

Basketball is more than just a game to me. It got me through the toughest times in my life. Basketball helped me cope with my dad’s illness, who has been in complete remission for over 5 years now! It got me through my injury. It has pushed me to be a better person on and off the court. Basketball has taught me so many life lessons that I still carry with me today.

Sport really does change lives and basketball has forever changed my life.

After one of our Mystics games this year, I found out some crazy news. A parent from the opposing team came up to me right after the game and introduced herself. I was confused at first and had no idea why this woman was coming right up to me after the game to talk! She quickly told me that her daughters, who were players on the opposing team, were my third cousins. People say that it’s a small world, but I had no idea that it was this small!

The two third cousins came over to me after the game to take a picture and catch up. Generally, I don’t find it enjoyable to talk to opposing players after games. My opinion is usually something like this: “We just battled it out on the court and now you want to be friendly?” However, this situation was definitely different! They told me about their farm down in Kilkenny and other family around the world. In fact, it turns out that they have cousins working close to my hometown in Chicago! I guess there are Morrissey relatives all over the place that I never knew about.

Finding undiscovered family in Ireland has been incredible. Earlier in the year, my parents and I ran into some distant relatives in Carlow and found the old Morrissey family house. When I initially came over to Ireland for the Victory Scholars program, I could have never predicted that this would happen. I always wondered if there was any basketball in the Morrissey family blood. I have some uncles that played a little bit, but not too many Morrissey family members played basketball. It turns out, I had to look a little bit further to find basketball in the family tree. I now have an invite down to the farm in Kilkenny, which I will probably take advantage of soon with school wrapping up! Do you see the family resemblance?