My year as a Victory Scholar has allowed me time to set new goals for when Sport Changes Life, basketball and school come to an end. When I look forward to discern what’s next, I find myself looking back- back at what it was about being an athlete that made the experience so personally rewarding to me. Why did I bother playing basketball for so long in the first place?

My love from the game has evolved over the years. What started out as a pure love of playing progressed into something more. My enjoyment later came from doing everything I could to be the best that I could be. I was addicted to getting better. I got satisfaction out of the hours and hours I would put in in the gym, outside in the summer sun, even going as far as dribbling basketballs (that’s right, more than one) up steep hills, anything it took to get better and leaving no doubt in my mind that I would be the best that I could be at something. The pursuit of excellence was a reward that I didn’t necessarily have trophies and medals to show for, but it was worthwhile that I could look at myself in the mirror at the end of the day and be proud of what I accomplished to achieve my dreams. Then one day, I did have something to show for it: a schoalrship to to play Divison 1 basketball.

I’ve learned through basketball that having goals brings out my best self. I’ve discovered the satisfaction from accomplishing something that I couldn’t before. Pressure from outside forces, be them coaches, teachers or the like, will provide the roadmap towards being great. But ultimately, to truly grow towards achieving a goal, no one can want it more than you.

What I found in basketball can be found in any dream that I want to become a reality. I can continue to find reward in the process, not just the accomplishment.It’s this potential that i’m trying to find shifting through countless job descriptions more than anything else. When I flip to the page of the next chapter in my life in a few short months, I want it to be rewarding not just in the sense that I enjoy what I do, but that I enjoy the process of getting better at it. I can only hope that I can find what made sport so worthwhile to me in what comes next.

Victory Scholar: Clare Sullivan

Present University: Ulster University

US League Partner: Patriot League

Club/Community Partner: Ulster Elks

Alma Mater: The College of the Holy Cross

Sponsored by: Teamwear Ireland 

Dave Hopla returned to Northern Ireland, where he once played and coached, to give some great shooting clinics to coaches and players. Hopla was as impressive as ever, barley missing a shot, I would know as I was his designated passer. I never liked rebounding, but when the ball always goes into the basket, it’s actually really easy. 

There were clinics both Saturday and Sunday where Hopla instructed and shared his knowledge working with some of the best basketball players in the NBA, when he worked with the Knicks and the Wizards. Dave has travelled the world giving shooting instruction and it was amazing to have him back in Northern Ireland where he actually spent time coaching at the very University I play and coach at.

It was inspiring to see someone so meticulous and driven about basketball. During the clinic he had one of the girls track every shot he took. When he asked the girls how they were doing today and their response was good he said, that’s too bad because I’m great. There’s a difference between a good player and a great player and I think that really stuck with the girls.

Victory Scholar: Caroline Murphy

Present University: University of Ulster

Alma Mater: Gettysburg College

On Wednesday February 10^th the Sports Changes Life Foundation and the Rory McIlroy Foundation announced their partnership.  I am very excited that I was able to be a part of the beginning of this amazing partnership.  It is really amazing to see Rory McIlroy who is from Ireland support the Sports Changes Life Foundation and all of its effort to give the youth of Ireland the best opportunity to follow their dreams and become successful adults.  The Rory Foundation has donated 120,000 pound to support the Sports Changes Life Foundation.  “To God Be The Glory” 

Present University: Ulster University

US League: East Coast Conference

Club/Community Partner Ulster Elks/ Andersonstown Tigers

Alma Mater: St Thomas Aquinas College

Sponsored By: Teamwear Ireland

As some of you know lent started two weeks ago. That means it is the beginning of my 40-day candy detox. Being in Ireland I have become very fond of two types of candy: Tangfastics and Cadbury chocolate bars (and bonbons and Mars bars and Pinballs…to name a few).

My sisters and I have given up candy for the past 8 years so it was nothing new, but every year there is a different type of detox. Last year I ended up replacing candy with Cape Cod chips (shout out to my roommates of last year who got me addicted). Now I never mean to do this and my intentions are to endure the 40 days as a sacrifice to God, but what can I say…when you are up late writing papers it’s nice to have something to distract you.

I asked my boys at Kubs if they had given up anything for lent. A few had given up chocolate but the majority hadn’t given up anything. Taking this as an opportunity to improve my coaching and their behavior, I suggested we give up bouncing the basketballs when they are asked not to. Let me tell you, 12-year-old boys want nothing more than to bounce a ball, yet the first training session they agreed to give it up they did a lot better!

What I loved was that the boys were holding each other accountable and making sure they followed the new rule. Now, this may have only lasted 1 hour but I am finally seeing improvements in attitude and skill. I am most impressed by some of the boys stepping up as leaders on the team. You don’t really think about leadership among 12 year olds but it is starting to be very apparent.

They not only feel a responsibility toward myself, but toward each other. Although we have a long way to go, this is the first step in becoming a true team and it is just in time for our National Cup Semi-Final game!  Hopefully they continue to grow and develop and always remember the training they gave up “inappropriate ball bouncing” for lent.

Now before I end this blog I have to tell you quickly about when Katie and I bought tuna from Spar for #nomeat Fridays during lent. Initially, we went in to top up Katie’s leap card (aka bus pass for the Americans), but came out with 15 cans of tuna. It just happened to be on sale and we were stoked because lent had just started. Let me add that no one else would ever get as excited as us about a tuna sale, so we were crying laughing and could barely check out.

This led to us having to explain to the cashier what was so funny. Luckily, we got a chuckle out of him but managed to confirm our insanity. I’ll leave you (hopefully amused) with that.

(PS. You had to be there).

Victory Scholar: Christine Ganser

Sport League: Patriot League

Present University: Trinity College Dublin

Alma Mater: College of Holy Cross

To all of the student athletes in their senior year of college back home in America who wants to apply to become a victory scholar, allow me to give you a few reasons why you should apply.  When you become a victory scholar you become apart of a family of people from all over America and Ireland.  The relationships you will gain while in Ireland will be ones that will last forever.  The opportunity for you to live in another country and take on the culture is a life changing experience.  I have enjoyed the change of culture so much that I have already decided on certain areas of my life that I am going to change forever.  The most fulfilling experience for me, as a victory scholar is the impact I have on the lives of all of the youth here in Ireland. 

Long before I became a victory scholar I knew that I would be giving back to young people.  I know the lasting impact that mentors and coaches have on the lives of young people.  I receive the most joy from coaching my U16 boy’s team.  I see myself at that age when I am working with my team.  I feel blessed to have the opportunity to pass the boys the knowledge that was given to me at their age.  I suggest you apply to becoming a victory scholar if you have the passion to positively impact the lives of young people.  “To God Be The Glory”    

Present University: Ulster University

US League: East Coast Conference

Club/Community Partner Ulster Elks/ Andersonstown Tigers

Alma Mater: St Thomas Aquinas College

Sponsored By: Teamwear Ireland

I wanted to give a quick shoutout to the Atlantic-10 Conference. As a former Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC) member, I always felt connected to what was going on in regards to my university and the conference that we were in. Still, I never anticipated the support and encouragement from the great people in the Atlantic-10 that I have been consistently receiving.

I can recall meeting Jill Redmond, Assistant Commissioner of the A-10, at the introductory Sport Changes Life banquet in Philadelphia last summer. We chatted about what a great opportunity the coming Victory Scholar experience would be, and I really felt like I would be an ambassador not only for my school, but for my conference as well. Fortunately, we have stayed in touch since last summer, and I was privileged enough to get on one of the monthly A-10 conference calls a couple weeks back.

I had been asked to illustrate my experience as a Victory Scholar to the SAAC representatives and other A-10 staff on the conference call. It felt like a pretty significant task at first, as I was speaking to quite an important group on behalf of Sport Changes Life. There was so much I had to say….so many aspects of my experience that I wanted to get across. So I just spoke.

And the more I spoke about my journey and adventure throughout Limerick, and Ireland, and Europe, I felt an intense sense of belonging to not only Sport Changes Life, but the Atlantic-10 Conference. I genuinely had an intense desire to make sure that the most positive elements of my experience would be understood by those who were listening.

It was through speaking about my time here that I realized the impact that these months abroad and the work that I have been doing here have had on me as an individual. Reflecting and recounting specific moments in time took me back mentally through all of the amazing things that have happened here. And at the end of it all, I can only hope that those listening to my discussion on the call left as convinced as I was that this Victory Scholar experience is truly something unique and surreal.

My friends Henry Archuleta and Jill Redmond from the A-10 even sent forth some nice gifts as a thank you for my time on the call, which was such a nice gesture.

I am lucky to be able to say that I have been involved with three outstanding organizations. The University of Dayton, the Atlantic-10, and Sport Changes Life, and I hope that the connections and relationships that have formed through this journey will only continue to grow. #victory #inspire #sportchangeslife

Victory Scholar: Jonathan Nelson

Sport League: ATLANTIC 10

Present University: University of Limerick

Alma Mater: Dayton University

Part of the playing experience for me in Ireland is with the NUI Galway college team. NUIG is made up of players from the local club teams, including Moycullen, Maree, and the Galway Titans, as well as some who do not play on either. This is a lot of fun because it brings players together from all different clubs to form one Galway team. Although many of my teammates are opponents in the club season, we are brought together to make the best college team possible.

The collegiate season is much shorter and has significantly less games than in the club season. So playing a game is not typical, and playing two games in one week is highly unusual. This is what my NUIG team and I did this past week. We had games in Limerick against University of Limerick, and in Dublin against Dundalk Institute of technology. In these games our team managed to come away with two victories in back to back days. These victories brought our overall record to 4-0, earning us the top seed. This means that we will host the regular season semifinal game with a chance to advance to the college final. The college varsities tournament, the biggest tournament of the year which hosts all college teams in Ireland, is also hosted in Galway in April. It’s an exciting time for the college team in Galway.  

Victory Scholar: Cory Starkey 

Present University: NUI Galway

US League: Patriot League 

Club/community partner: Galway Titans 

Alma Mater: Bucknell University 

Sponsored by: Teamwear Ireland 

Every Tuesday night I spend two hours with some young men from New Mossley who have made the decision to take part in our Sport Changes LIfe eHoops program. Out of all the programs I am involved in per week, I’d have to say this group is one of the most “upbeat.” It feels like they all show up on 5-hour energy shots and even though I feel like I should have protective armor to play sports with any of them, I find it hilarious and extremely fun. This past week they’ve taught me a lot, both generally and specifically. I’ll get to the general sense later… but first, they taught me about one of their most controversial community traditions, building their annual bonfire.

It rises to be over twice the height of the surrounding houses, and it burns for about three months leading up to the 12^th of July. The whole thing is illegal, but has been tradition in New Mossley and many other communities around Belfast for 400 some odd years.

The day after we briefly discussed it at eHoops, the boys took part in a filming of Stephen Nolan’s television show, which is one of the most widely viewed here in Northern Ireland. I was so impressed by the way they represented themselves on the show, speaking for their entire community on the topic and standing up for what they believe with eloquence and honesty. They spoke about the camaraderie and pride that comes from building the bonfires, as it’s one of the only things that has the power to bring the community together. Of course, burning tires, (especially in that amount) is quite terrible for the environment and the community does not come together to clean it up after it’s done burning, so it’s no wonder the whole thing causes some controversy. It’s fascinating nonetheless, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn about it first-hand, rather than seeing it on TV or reading about it somewhere from my home in America.  

Now, for what they’ve taught me in a general sense.

We are nearing the end of the program with the New Mossley boys, and during the classroom session last week they offered to pay money out of their own pockets to keep the program going. All eHoopers know that the last few weeks include trips to fun places and a graduation dinner, so it’s usually an exciting time in the program. This group didn’t see it that way. Instead of discussing those fun events, they seemed surprised there were only four weeks left and were determined to find a way to keep it going. 

I’ve expressed before how much I enjoy the process of getting to know the young people who take part in eHoops programs. While it’s easy to focus on the positive aspects of it all because they are so overwhelming, it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows.

In the beginning I was discouraged by the fact that there were always some kids in each group who just could not be motivated to participate in any capacity.  In any given session, there would always be a few who would stand against the wall the whole time, not wanting to engage in either sport or classroom activities, and they weren’t particularly approachable either. When I thought maybe they just came for the pizza at the end, I would be confused again to find that a lot of times they weren’t even interested in that. What’s even more curious is that I noticed over time, their attendance each week would be more consistent than some of the other young people who came and seemed to have the time of their lives.

As the programs have progressed, I’ve made some important realizations. There are really all kinds of reasons these kids show up to eHoops, and sometimes it has nothing at all to do with the activities we set out for them. Now that I’ve been here almost six months, I’ve been able to build relationships with all of the kids that fit this behavior, and their actions don’t discourage me in the slightest anymore. I’ve come to realize that the kids who show up to eHoops really do appreciate the program, even if they have unique ways of showing it. The boys from New Mossley, however, made it loud and clear to us last week. It’s moments like that in which I realize the work I do here with Sport Changes Life is some of the most fulfilling I’ve ever taken on, and I’m happy that the young people I work with have been able to teach me so much in so many ways. 

Victory Scholar: Ashley Montecchio

Present University: University of Ulster

Alma Mater: Rosemont College

The friends that I’ve made here have made this whole experience more memorable and have allowed me to adjust much easier.  We usually cook together twice a week and end up hanging out and talking for hours after.  I’ve learned a lot about them, growing up in Ireland vs. the U.S, and just unique stories they have to share. 

We all take turns cooking and making new things for each other.  We’ve had everything from an Irish fry to cottage pie and everything in between.  There’s also never a shortage of deserts and sweets to snack on.

A neighboring club added an American to their team a few months back and he decided to take classes and play for I.T. Carlow’s college team. He always joins us when we hang out and it adds a different dynamic to the group. 

These times are ones I’ll remember forever because of the chemistry we’ve developed and all the great laughs.  I can’t thank them enough for getting me adjusted so effortlessly to a different country and culture. You lads and ladettes know who you are and I thank you for the great times and for the life-long friendships we’ve made!

Victory Scholar: Harrison Deyo

Present University: IT Carlow

US League: MAC

Club/Community Partner: IT Carlow Basketball

Alma Mater: Alvernia University

Sponsored by: Teamwear Ireland

It was just another Friday night, but it was the last coaching session before Christmas. The young people and their parents immediately began asking when we started the coaching back up after the holidays. It was great to see the excitement in the children’s eyes and the appreciation in the voices of each of the parents. This junior Elks coaching session started on a Friday night with maybe 3 or 4 young boys.

Now we consistently have 12 to 15 boys with a few girls who join in on the madness. Each session we want them to have fun and get better, but in the process we can unknowingly do much more.

So l walked into with his mom and presents in hand for each of the coaches. It was so thoughtful.

Reading the card and opening the presents that night was heartwarming, as it illustrated how much this one hour a week means to him. He can also be seen at many of our games with a sign in hand as he cheers loudly for Ronnie and I. It is amazing to see his progression as a basketball player as well as a young child. His confidence has grown exponentially and he has become much more social with his peers.

Another, more recent reminder of our impact on these young lives was when Caroline and I entered the gym to find one of the girls and her mother.  The two of them often arrive early when we are setting up. The mother came over to us and thanked us for all that we do. She went on to tell us that her daughter loves the basketball and she has noticed a substantial increase in her confidence.

“When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things.” – Joe Namath

Victory Scholar: Ryan Ansel

Present University: Ulster University

Alma Mater: Davidson College

Conference: Atlantic 10

Coaches are in a powerful position to impact many lives. Every Wednesday and Thursday, Katie Fox and I coach young girls at Mercy Primary School. After five weeks of instruction and various basketball drills, I’ve noticed less and less girls sit out on the session and actually join in as the weeks continue. The exhilaration doesn’t just come from the girls, but teachers are pleased as well.

Katie and I were done for the day ready to head home and one of the teachers came up to talk to us. She was raving about how good we are with the children and how the girls really love coming to our coaching blocks as they view us as “Fun Superstars” from America.

Then she went on about a particular girl we coach with Autism. In the first week of our session, she sat out. Anxiety of putting herself out there, she decided to watch from the sideline. But her disinterest in our sessions quickly changed when she realized how fun they were. I never would’ve thought I would be in a position that encourages youth to come out of their shell. For the remaining coaching sessions, her sense of worry faded, feeling privileged to be the source of her willingness to participate ultimately making a positive difference in her life.

As a coach, it is amazing how much of an impact we have on people’s lives. Coaches possess a power that determines the very experience of many players. Fortunately, my coaching experience has been a good one. One that seems to heal, encourage, inspire, and create joy for these young Irish children. I don’t feel that I’m just giving back to the community, I feel like I’m giving life to the children thanks to the Sport Changes Life Foundation.

Victory Scholar: Jazmen Boone

Present University: Waterford IT

US League: CAA

Club/Community Partner: Waterford Wildcats

Alma Mater: The College of William and Mary

Sponsored by: Teamwear Ireland

With our first weekend off from Superleage matches, I took the opportunity to venture outside of Limerick and accompany Laura (my fellow American teammate) and Sarah (our second mom) to Sarah’s Master’s tournament in Tralee. For those who don’t know, the Master’s Tournament Tour is for basketball players aged 40 and up from around all of Ireland. Most of the players are the best from the SuperLeague, Premier League, and Irish International teams, and I felt honored to meet such a huge part of the Irish basketball history.

Ironically, Sarah is also a Basketball Ireland referee, and a lot of the former players are also current referees – many have been referees for our own SuperLeague games! Even though it’s a little late in the season now, I found myself chopping it up with many of the refs that I had met in another context (and perhaps even disagreed with on a couple occassions).

At first, the team designated us as their ‘coaches’ for the weekend – but to be honest, they really didn’t need our help! We instead became the cheerleaders for the Munster Mix and cheered them on their way to the tournament 1^st place victory.

Seeing the comraderie and friendships in the Irish basketball community, hearing so many stories, and even the current viewpoints on the sport today, was a great experience and opportunity to learn more about basketball in Ireland. In fact, many of the women playing in the tournament could have still played in the SuperLeague today!

The team brought us into the fold from the beginning and I’m glad I took the opportunity to explore more outside of Limerick – as the drive to Tralee (County Kerry) was absolutely amazing! Passing through Adare Village and seeing the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks Mountain range were just some of the highlights from the scenic drive. Stay tuned for more adventures!

Victory Scholar: Kelsey Harris

Sport League: SOCON Sports 
League

Present University: University of Limerick

Alma Mater: Elon University

This past week was an exciting time for Sport Changes Life with the announcement of our partnership with The Rory Foundation. I know that the people at Sport Changes life have been working hard on getting this sponsorship for awhile, so it was nice to see their hard work really pay off. The Rory Foundation is very selective in what organizations they select to sponsor, so I am proud to say that Sport Changes Life is one of them! Hopefully through this partnership, SCL will be able to continue their progress and expand their reach to more and more children in Ireland. Can’t wait to see what the future brings! #thefutureofSCL #doingbigthings

There’s nothing like finishing a game and being able to go to the stands and seeing family! For the majority of my games in college I always had a parent, if not both parents, at the game. So needless to say, it was a little different at first not knowing I’d have family in the stands. But on Valentine’s Day, I was fortunate enough to have my mom in the stands at my last regular season home game. We were also able to pull out the W in a close-knit game, which made the night that much better.

In addition to my mom coming to see one our Mystics game, we also had some fun adventures around Galway and Ireland. I was finally able to show my mom around my university and the town I call home. We were lucky to have really nice weather for most of her visit, which made it a lot more enjoyable to walk around town. And we did A LOT of walking. I thought I walked a lot on a daily basis, but I felt like I walked about 10x more that week, but it was 100% worth it.

I was able to show her everything from Salthill to NUIG to our “malls” to some Irish restaurants/pubs to the Galway Market. On Sunday, we ventured outside of Galway and did a day of sightseeing. We took a tour of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher, which stopped at the Dunguaire Castle, Kilfenora High Crosses, Ballyalban Fairy Fort, the Pulnabrone Dolmen in the Burren, the Black Head, and of course the Cliffs. This was a great experience for me because I had never been before either and so I got to share this new experience with my mom!

Unfortunately, we did not get too lucky with the weather as it was rainy almost the whole day. However, it did make for some fun adventures walking around the cliffs. Because of all the rain it was really muddy everywhere…in an attempt to avoid this huge mud puddle we ended up climbing over this small rock wall and over some barbed wire. Needless to say, it was a little challenging, especially because the ground was really slippy, but we made it (and we didn’t fall off the cliffs lol) So it was definitely a successful day!

I couldn’t have asked for a better week with my mom! Love ya, mom! See you again soon!!

Victory Scholar: Nicole Krusen

Sport League: PATRIOT League

Present University: National University of Ireland Galway

Alma Mater: Loyola College

It’s crazy to think that it is almost March and my time in Ireland is ending in June. I don’t like to think about the time, because it goes so fast. The only good thing about time is that it allows relationships to build. If you follow my blog you know about my SheHoops program that ended in December. It was my only group of all girls, and they really made an impact on me.

You tell the kids you’ll see them when the programs end, but in reality, life goes on, we get new eHoops programs and our fun times at UUJ playing sport and sharing pizza becomes a blur. But not with these girls. They kindly harass their favorite mentor and leader Pat to find out when we have home basketball games and try their best to make it to them.

I was honestly taken back when I finally saw a few of the girls in February and they gave me a birthday card and a picture frame of us from one of our favorite SheHoops sessions. My birthday was in January and these girls went out of their way…so not necessary but these are the relationships we’ve built.

I can happily say they are learning the basketball lingo and recently became my good luck charms in our most recent home game. I have taught them to yell “TRAVEL & WALK” when the other team touches the ball! Time is a funny thing, you don’t realize how fast it is going in the moment, and it’s too late when you are looking back. It’s time to continue to make the most of this amazing life I have in Ireland.

Victory Scholar: Caroline Murphy

Present University: University of Ulster

Alma Mater: Gettysburg College

We have all been in a position in our lives where the future is unknown. If your like me, you would understand that it’s tough to swallow the idea of not knowing what exactly you want to do with your life once college is over. Surreal how studying for exams, practicing or playing collegiate games, and submerging yourself into the community can come to an end with just a blink of an eye. Constantly torn between getting a “real-life” job or continuing to play overseas.

Well, my friend, I strongly encourage you to apply to be a Victory Scholar. You don’t have to give it all up as you can continue the dream in Ireland. Life as a Victory Scholar is…

…Playing basketball. Dedicating numerous of hours to a sport you love is hard to give up. However, as a Victory Scholar you play for your college and in the local club team against others Irish clubs in other counties. That competitive edge can continue yet in my experience, I’ve even regained my love and passion for sport.

…Giving back to the community. You aren’t only playing the sport you love but you get the opportunity to coach it as well. We all know those people in our life that have inspired us to play the game, giving us life when we started loving the game and giving us confidence when we started getting good at it. You can do the same for young children here in Ireland. You have the ability to teach kids lessons, both basketball and life lessons. You have the ability to get into the various Irish communities and make a difference, impact a life. Quite frankly, this aspect of the Victory Scholarship shocked me the most. Accomplishing things I never thought I could possibly do, cherishing how I am the contributor to a child’s smile, fun, and eagerness for sport.

…Excelling your academics at a master’s level. Life as a college athlete in the U.S., you would understand the difficulty of studying abroad due to summer workout commitments. Thanks to Sport Changes Life, you can easily get this chance right here in Ireland. You are not just gaining knowledge at a high level, but you also learn from versatile, international perspectives, which are tangibles difficult to reach in America especially at an undergraduate level.

If these three things highly interest you, you MUST apply. Don’t let the dream die. If you are worried about coming to a new country…don’t be. The Irish are the most welcoming people I’ve ever met. The members of the Sport Changes Life Foundation become your family as they wheel you in with open arms. SCL is a great organization that partners with the different basketball clubs and academic institutions in Ireland to create opportunities for Americans and the youth. Even Rory McIlroy admired the mission of SCL with his recent partnership through The Rory Foundation to continue to aspire youth through sport. Don’t miss an opportunity of a lifetime! The link below will directly link you to the application :): 

APPLY

http://sportchangeslife.com/apply

Victory Scholar: Jazmen Boone

Present University: Waterford IT

US League: CAA

Club/Community Partner: Waterford Wildcats

Alma Mater: The College of William and Mary

Sponsored by: Teamwear Ireland

You know people are cool if they like both pizza and basketball. Luckily, both Kubs, the Inverness City Basketball Club from Scotland and I love them both!   

Last week the Inverness City Basketball Club travelled down to Ireland for a weekend full of basketball. We had three games on Sunday and some of my boys had to play a 4^th for an older team earlier that morning. I remember back to my days of AAU and seriously wonder how I ever played 2 games in one day let alone 4! I can barely make it through a full game now with my creaky joints and aggravated tendons (retirement is coming soon).

Anyway, we had some great games of basketball. The Inverness teams were very good and because the games were only friendlies they had girls and boys playing together! Obviously I loved this part, nothing like the younger boys giving out about having to play against girls and then the girls being absolute ballers (ps. For my American audience: giving out: origin: Irish, verb, the act of complaining / teasing / criticizing someone.) It is so important for girls to play sport with boys growing up and I know from experience it has helped my game as well as my confidence in all aspects of life.

It was very cool talking with the young players from Scotland and seeing how much they love basketball. As intense as the games were on the court when the final horn blew both clubs were socializing and chatting like they were best friends. That is also something I have learned from being over here, you can have conversations with strangers and it is like you have known them for 20 years…pretty comical if you ask me.

The last part of the day was the best part of the day: the pizza party. There is nothing like pizza to bond kids from three different countries (I am including myself in the 3). I have come to learn love for pizza is universal (almost). I could go on forever about this, but I’ll spare you and wrap this up instead. Although the visit was short, it was great to see the unifying power of sport between so many different people and I hope all the young players are beginning to realize this.

Victory Scholar: Christine Ganser

Sport League: Patriot League

Present University: Trinity College Dublin

Alma Mater: College of Holy Cross

Maybe if I knew what I should choose

I’d be excited rather than anxious

But instead I just feel numb.

And stressed.

Even when I take big breaths,

it’s like the weight of the world is on my chest.

I. Can’t. Breathe.

But thankfully it’s the future

and not an officer weighing down on me.

They don’t want me to get political.

They want me to smile more and say less.

But just like after I grab a rebound

I put my pen down and the page becomes my outlet.

See, I’m lucky. I have options.

I’m educated and determined.

But even those qualities won’t protect me from society’s problems.

I have 2 choices.

I could stay abroad and keep ballling.

Light years beyond the player I was 

when they took my jersey and encased it.

Mystics showed me the game differently.

I’m 22.

They ask me why go to work if I could stay and embrace it?

…Or I could go home and answer my calling

I’m across the Atlantic, not on a new planet.

Biased American media coverage is infrequent 

yet I still cannnot stand it.

And if I’m numb its because I’m mad,

Mad I might have to give up the game

Mad these issues still remain

But I don’t need to name names 

to illustrate just how things haven’t changed.

They say if you educate a woman,

you educate a nation.

My Master’s is almost finished.

I’m just hoping the people can stay patient.

Can we stomach more promises of long awaited liberation?

Victory Scholar: Marritta Gillcrease
Present University: NUI Galway
US League: MAAC
Club/Community Partner: Galway Titans
Alma Mater: Rider University
Sponsored by: Teamwear Ireland

Christine’s sister, Katie was a Victory Scholar with Sport Changes Life last year and lives in Dublin. Her roommate Shelby still lives here as well and contacted the group of us, (now known as the “syncing scholars”) about a lip-syncing debut that could potentially change our lives.

#lipsyncingchangeslives

A classmate of Shelby’s’ is on his way to creating a new MTV show called Lip Sync Wars and were looking for Americans living in Ireland to create videos for it. The pilot will be filmed later in March right here in Dublin, where we may be potential performers seeing that our video makes it! As for our video, it’s quite entertaining for you all to watch it, and embarrassing on my end even though I pretend that I have no shame!

On our way to fame, we decided that nothing else would help us get there, but to start off with a classic trip to Penneys and pick up some wild safari onesies (Chris as the Famous Flamingo, and I as the Lanky Leopard). The veterans – Katie and Shelby already had theirs and the group of us rocked them in the professional filming (done by Katie’s boyfriend, Hillary) from Trinity campus to Grafton Street and to the fountain on College Green.

Although we didn’t quite know the words, we really hope our dance moves and enthusiasm will get us to the next level in March!! It’s crazy thinking that an opportunity – be it a lip syncing competition would present itself to us here on our Victory Scholarship…but it did! My every day life today is full of new experiences and opportunities with coaching, my studies, as well as these extra curricular activities! I couldn’t be more excited for my next days and month here with Sport Changes Life.

 The moment you’ve all been waiting for…. Click and have a good laugh 🙂

Victory Scholar: Jennifer Morabito

Sport League: MAAC League

Present University: Trinity College Dublin

Alma Mater: Canisus College