During my time at Davidson, I would get to be home for Christmas, even though it was usually only for a few days. This was my first Christmas away from home, as I chose to stay in Northern Ireland for the holiday. Although I spent Christmas thousands of miles away from home, I was able to feel at home at the Maguire’s house.

As Elvis Presley once said, “Home is where the heart is.” And I have loved every minute I have had on this side of the Atlantic. From day one I have felt like an extension of the Maguire family. Deirdre and Gareth are my Irish parents. Erin, Enya and Anna are my Irish sisters and the closest thing I will ever have to a sister, given that I grew up as the middle of three boys.

Immediately when Anna heard I was going to be at Jordanstown, she told me I had to sleep over the day before Christmas. She figured out all the logistics and told me that I was spending Christmas at the Maguire house.

On Christmas Eve, we all relaxed in pajamas by the fire, had a delicious feast, and made a ginger bread house before indulging in a large variety of desserts. And Christmas day started with all the kids, and yes at 23 I still considered myself a child on this day, filed down the stairs in age order as Gareth took a video. I never thought I could feel at home while being so far from home, but the Maguire family made it possible and did so with ease!

 

Victory Scholar: Ryan Ansel

Sport League: Atlantic 10

Present University: University of Ulster

Alma Mater: Davidson University

 

Since I have been in Galway, the main coaching responsibility I’ve had is Saturday Mornings at the Titans Academy. Every Saturday Marritta and I (unless one of us have an away national league game, like Rita did this weekend for the Cup Finals, Go Rita Go!) coach several general training sessions for kids between the ages of 6 and 14. Each sessions can have anywhere between 5 and 20 kids. Let me tell you with up to 20 little energizer bunnies running around on a Saturday morning, these sessions can be quite a handful at times.  However, the longer I have done these sessions the more and more I enjoy them. The support I receive from the community makes my job so much easier. Other coaches and parents are always quick to offer assistance in any way I need. The coffee’s or pizza’s brought in are always an added bonus as well! It is obvious that it takes a village to coach a child.

The most rewarding part of being a coach is trying to make an impact on the lives of young people.   A simple reward that I receive that makes coaching worth it is when I walk into the gym to be greeted by name by the kids that I coach. Seeing kids working hard and getting better, fuels me to be a better coach because when I see progress I know that I have the ability to push this progress further. While I do everything in my power to try to have a positive impact on these kids’ lives, it is often them that have a positive impact on my life.

 

 

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 

I loved my time in Northern Ireland last year, but there were a few big events that I missed back home. The one event that I am most disappointed about missing is Drew’s completion of the Philadelphia Half Marathon. Parents always say that their kids won’t listen to them, and I know how that is from my dealings with my wee brother (especially when it comes to working out). Occasionally, when I have forced him to try something, he will see the value but it is tough to change his mind (thanks Dad for passing that trait along).

I have spent years trying to get Drew to start running, yet I have never been very successful. All of the sudden after I crossed the Atlantic, Drew saw the light, and I began getting texts about his morning runs. Then one day my mom mentioned Drew’s upcoming half marathon… Somehow I had heard nothing about this! I quickly called Drew to hear more and express my excitement.

 

A few weeks later, Drew had completed 13.1 miles in 1 hour and 54 minutes at the Philadelphia Half Marathon. I was the proudest big brother on either side of the Atlantic. There have been very few days that I wished I was back home; nothing against Mom and Dad, but I am having the experience of a life time. The day Drew ran the Half Marathon is one of the few days that I wish I was home so I could have been there to see him at the finish.

I cannot believe it has been 142 days since I saw my family, not including the occasional skype sessions. I am blessed to have had their absolute love and support each step of the way. LOVE YOU MOM, DAD, DREW and DAVID!

 

Victory Scholar: Ryan Ansel

Sport League: Atlantic 10

Present University: University of Ulster

Alma Mater: Davidson University

 

I always seem to be calling my mom in amazement about all the little things people do above and beyond my normal expectations.

 

The Meteors club, the team Meg and I play for, has been good to us in so many ways that I didn’t expect. The program is run on a volunteer basis, so no one in the club has a real obligation to look after us, but yet they all make such an effort. Obviously Meg and I are adults and can fend for our own (for the most part), but little things like inviting us for dinner, or having us over for a glass of wine, truly make the biggest impact when your in a different country and outside of your normal comfort zone.

Everyone in the Meteors club has their own busy life; with families, boyfriends, jobs, and a social life outside of the club. But everyone from our Manager, Maeve, or our coach, Mark, to teammates like Eileen and the Meanies, make that extra effort to help us feel more at home.

 

Mark, or more so his wife, Broma (can’t give Mark all the credit on this one), made time to host us for a great Christmas dinner around the holidays, knowing we wouldn’t have one otherwise. Maeve has hosted us for countless dinners as well, and also welcomed us into her home for nights at a time prior to moving into Trinity. Eileen not only drives us to practice all the time, but has gone out of her way to take us for weekend excursions or have us over for dinner and drinks. Fiona, one of the Meanies (they’re the 3 sisters on the team, last name Meanie) always invites us over after our weekend games just to have a place to chill out. 

It may sound so simple and easy, but I often think about if people in America would treat new comers as well as they do hear. It’s not that Americans aren’t nice, but we often become overly consumed in our own lives and would find fitting other people’s lives into our “agenda” stressful. Here it seems like these people actually enjoy welcoming us into their homes, or at least I hope they do! 

 

There’s not enough thanks that can be said to the people who have shaped this Irish experience for me, I can only hope that someday they will come and visit me in Philadelphia or New York (or wherever I end up) so that I can truly show them my gratitude. We may still have tea and biscuits (cause I’m totally bringing that back with me to the states) but for dinner we’ll have some homemade cheesesteak egg rolls or chocolate chip pancakes (the big fluffy kind NOT a crepe).

 

 

I just started the second half of my time here in Ireland after I went home to New York for Christmas.  Although I have mostly been working with the Ehoops program involving local kids from Belfast, I recently began to expand to new areas.  One new experience was working at the Woodlands Juvenile Detention Center.  Woodlands is basically a minimum security prison for teenagers who have committed various crimes in the Belfast area. 

 

Working in Woodlands was a drastic change from what I had been previously doing.  Usually we work with kids who are at risk on committing crimes but in this case I was exposed to kids who had already made that mistake.  Despite being incarcerated, the kids were excited when we started our program at woodlands. 

 

When you walk in the room, the kids size you up and try to gain an understanding of what you’re about.  At first the kids were tentative when we started at Woodlands, but when we played sports, all of their reservations about our presence disappeared.  After a week we noticed that the kids were looking forward to our weekly appearance.  We offered the kids an avenue of escape from the sometimes monotonous existence they have at Woodlands. 

 

This has become one of my better assignments because I feel the program makes a difference with the kids, even if that just means providing a momentary reprieve from their daily life at the detention center. 

 

Victory Scholar: Khalid Robinson

Present University: University of Ulster

Alma Mater: Fordham University

 

The best one is probably that they call a romper (or a one-piece jumpsuit) a ‘playsuit’. Everyone always cracks up whenever I say romper, finding it the funniest name for clothing. Although I can’t exactly defend the name, I think ‘playsuit’ isn’t any better.

 

Another one is zucchini, which they call a ‘courgette’ here. This caused quite the scarring incident when Meg and I thought the courgette was a cucumber and put raw zucchini (which people say they eat raw but there’s no way) in our salads. 

 

They also think us calling our basketball shoes ‘sneakers’ is the funniest thing in the world, where as they call them ‘boots’. Whenever I say sneakers, they imitate me saying sneakers in this nerdy American voice, like the word is somehow dorky to them. 

Oddly enough, the Irish words started to creep into my vocabulary. I find myself calling sweaters ‘jumpers’ often, cookies are now known as ‘biscuits, and chips are ‘crisps’. Still haven’t started saying “what’s the craic?” yet though, and I am not sure if that one will ever come naturally for me. Time will only tell!

 

 

I had an amazing visit and week of travelling with my dad and brother commencing with my birthday celebration! We spent three full days in Dublin; hop on hop off bus, Kilmainham Jail, Dublin Museums of Archeology and Art as well as Christ Church and St. Patrick’s Church. Our time in Dublin was highlighted by a visit from fellow Dublin Victory scholars Jen and Christine who came to meet my family and share their Dublin expertise!

 

Next was on to Galway for a quick day, so I missed my favorite Galway scholars, Daryl and Nicole. Next was a long and snowy drive to Donegal for a night before we headed up North. Although the weather was less than ideal for an American driver on very skinny and curvy Irish roads, my dad kept us alive through the trip. He only drove on the wrong side of the road twice.

 

We had a quick stop in Port Rush before we stopped in Bush Mills for the Bush Mills Distillery tour and on to Giants Causeway. Although the weather tormented us our entire trip, whenever we seemed to need an hour of clear skies, we were lucky. Giant’s Causeway was just as amazing as everyone says and was the highlight of my trip. While I have been in Ireland I have had a handful of moments where I stop in the beauty of the natural surrounding around me where my head is clear and I have time to think.

 

On the top of Cave Hill looking out at all of Belfast, at Gobbins Path listening to the waves crash, and now Giants Causeway. It was a truly happy moment as I stood with my family and thought to myself how genuinely happy I am to be here doing what I am doing. This experience through SCL has given me endless opportunities to explore Ireland and explore myself.

 

After Giant’s Causeway we drove to Belfast where I showed my family my stomping grounds and we ending the weekend with a fun night celebrating my 23^rd birthday! As they left for the airport I remained happy, never sad. A spectacular week and a great start to the New Year leaving me excited to get back to work here in Northern Ireland!

 

Victory Scholar: Caroline Murphy

Present University: University of Ulster

Alma Mater: Gettysburg College

My main stressor these days has been developing and starting my dissertation.  With all my other assignments coming to deadlines, it’s tough to find time to get the ball rolling with my topic.  I’ve recently made some headway with my research and finally putting together the literature review.  My topic deals with examining the perceptions of college students and leisure time spent with their family. I’m sure my topic will evolve by the time it’s finished but for right now it will focus on how that time has affected personal development and the restrictions that a family encounters (lack of time, energy, interest). 

 

February is a busy month for me academically.  I will be under a lot of pressure to complete assignments.  I know that this month will push me to work harder than I ever have and in just a few weeks I’ll be able to look back and be proud of the strides I’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 

To start of the New Year, Ryan and I spent some time traveling around Europe. We stopped in Paris first, and it was quite late at night so I hadn’t planned on being able to do any site seeing, but on our ride from the airport to our hotel I caught my first glance of the Eiffel Tower. It happened to be during those few minutes every hour where they set the lights so it looks like it’s shimmering, and it was absolute magic!

 

As we were having lunch in a small cafe the next day, we noticed everyone was paying very close attention to a news broadcast on the TV. It was entirely in French, and after we left we had gone about our day quite obliviously, not really seeing any other signs of it. It seems as though there’s always some kind of sad/horrible story on the news nowadays, so I guess that’s why we thought nothing of it at first. That night, we started to get texts from friends and family at home making sure we were okay, and at that point we’d looked up what had happened.

 

Despite the horrific nature of the attack, there was a feeling of togetherness that overcame the city. It was an evil and cowardly act by terrorists, who would probably love for their actions to result in everyone living in fear. What I saw happen, however, was unity. All of the people of the city came together and found strength. Not 24 hours after the attack, there were huge banners on buildings, signs on the streets, and messages all over social media reading “Je Suis Charlie.” People from all over the world joined France to provide strength and pay tribute to those that they’d lost.

 

Our last few days there were obviously filled with the sound of police sirens and the visual of armed guards at every notable landmark, but the beauty of the city was not lost on me one bit. We ice skated on the Eiffel Tower, climbed to the top of Notre Dame Cathedral, spent hours in the Louvre, and “people-watched” over light meals from inside cafes. I was sad when it was time to go, but I know one day I’ll return to see all the things we missed this time around! We spent the next few days in sunny and warm Barcelona, where Ryan and I got to watch a match at Camp Nou and cycle around the city together, appreciating all the local architecture as we went. It felt good to spend a few days near the beach before landing in the 0 degree weather that awaited us in Dublin! The scholars there, Jen and Christine, let us stay the night at their place before heading back to Belfast in the morning to round out our travels.

 

Now that we’re back, I’ve had the time to do some proper research on what had happened in France and now I know that that was their biggest attack in decades.  Ryan and I both feel an intense admiration and respect for the citizens of Paris for their resilience and strength in the light of such a horrific circumstance. Although physically, we’re safely back in Belfast, many of our thoughts are still with Paris. Je Suis Charlie 

 

Victory Scholar: Ashley Montecchio

Present University: University of Ulster

Alma Mater: Rosemont College

Out of the 13 Victory Scholars, Rita was the only one to make it to a cup final with her team.  Not only did the Mystics make it, they put on an impressive performance resulting in a 30 point win.  They showed their extraordinary team chemistry in a dominating fashion.  Congratulations to Marritta and her Mystics!

 

Today also marks a special day for me as my brother from another mother turns 24.  Steve (Stove) and I have been through crazy times together which is the foundation for our close friendship.  He’s always there to help me through tough times and pushes me to be the best person academically, athletically, and in everyday life.  I hope you enjoy your day and have a Happy Birthday Bro!

 

Lastly, I want to wish a Happy 63rd Anniversary to my grandparents.  You both have taught me invaluable life lessons over the years.  When our family was going through a very tough time you both were right there to do all you could to help.  I can’t thank you enough for the impact you’ve had on my development throughout my life and the model of love for our family to follow.  Enjoy your day Grammy and PapPap.

 

 

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

The holidays this year were definitely some that I’ll remember forever. Ryan and I stayed at the Maguire’s on Christmas Eve with fellow victory scholar, Ryan Ansel and past scholar, Caroline Stewart. It was a full house, and we spent the night eating good food and sitting around the fire. I never thought I could be so far from home on such a family-oriented holiday and not be upset about it.

 

The Maguire’s have a way of making you feel right at home when you’re in their house and it definitely makes it easier not to think about how many miles are separating you from your real family! On Christmas morning, we all gathered on the stairs for a selfie, (conducted by Gareth) before the gift-opening began. It was pretty interesting… out of everyone in the house I think Gareth was the most excited. We were also celebrating Pippen’s birthday, who is their family dog.

 

Later in the day we had a huge Christmas dinner, and we all ended up spending the night there again! I know I’ve said it before, but I really can’t be any more grateful towards that family for everything they’ve done for me, including granting me this scholarship!

 

After the Christmas food coma wore off, I got ready to welcome another one of my best friends from home, Barb. She was my first roommate in college and Ryan and I have been great friends with her for over five years now. While she was here, we did a bus tour of Belfast, went to the Titanic Museum, crossed the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, climbed Cave Hill, visited Giant’s Causeway, and celebrated New Years out in the city.

 

She was here for a week, but it only felt like a couple of days. It was awesome to be able to introduce her to so many of the friends that I’ve made here, and show her what I’ve been doing for a few months now. 

 

It’s been a couple of weeks since she’s left and I’m only now going through all the pictures we took during her visit! I’ve decided that it’s going to be absolutely necessary to make a scrapbook of my time here in Ireland once it’s come to an end, (which I’m sure is going to creep up on me faster than I think.) But until then, it will just be another incentive to make every day of this year count and be sure that I’m not letting any of it pass me by. 

 

Victory Scholar: Ashley Montecchio

Present University: University of Ulster

Alma Mater: Rosemont College

After a long and relaxing 5 weeks, Christmas vacation had finally come to a close. Usually by the end of school vacations, I’m absolutely dreading to go back. However, this time around, I was excited (call me a nerd), but yes I was looking forward to going back. It makes it easy to go back to school when you enjoy your classes, professors, and classmates as much as I do.

 

For those who don’t know, I am doing the Marketing, Consumption, and Society Master’s course at the University of Limerick. It is a really interesting course, with an awesome learning approach, gearing all the classes to be very practical and exciting to be a part of.

 

After completing the first week, I already can tell that it is going to be a very busy semester, but hey, I’m up for the challenge. Although it will be hectic, the projects and assignments I have all sound very interesting. In one class I am undertaking an ethnographic study, immersing myself in a subculture of Limerick’s nightlife. In another class, I will have the opportunity to actually work with a real-life client assisting them with their marketing strategies. That’s just naming a few of the cool projects I will get to take part in. It is definitely a lot easier to do the work when the topic is something I am really interested in. 

 

While completing all of that, I will also be starting my research/dissertation paper. These papers always seem daunting and a little bit overwhelming to complete. But if there is one thing I learned from my undergrad thesis mentor is “If you can write a sentence, you can write a paragraph. If you can write a paragraph, you can write a page…” This quote may not seem that inspiring, but to me its great motivation. As long as I put in the work, a little each and every day, I will get it done.

 

Semester two, and all the hard work that comes with it, starts now. 

 

Victory Scholar: Sarah Benedetti

Present University: University of Limerick

US League: NEC

Club/Community Partner: UL Huskies

Alma Mater: St. Francis College 

Sponsored by: Teamwear Ireland

 

Before I came to Ireland I decided that I would spend my few week’s winter break travelling from country to country to get the “most of my experience”.  The idea sounded great, but after a few months of relying on Face Time and text messages, I realized how much more enjoyable Christmas would be with my family. My sister would have to set the table by herself and I wouldn’t be there to help clean the squid (which is grossly a cherished tradition) in the morning for Christmas Eve dinner.

 

After coming to terms that I needed to go home, I sneakily and strategically made a plan. I told my parents I was spending the break in Germany and Paris with classmates and other Victory Scholars, and I booked my flight the morning my mom and dad were visiting me here in Ireland. It was the best decision I could have made.

 

Although, the guilt of having my family believe I wasn’t coming home was eating away at me! They all, from my cousins to aunts and uncles gave me nothing but love and support as they encouraged me to do what I wanted, which was to travel even if it meant I wouldn’t be home with them. So…I ended up cracking and telling my parents and sister about a week before I came home. I think they were a little excited as I showed them my flight itinerary over Face Time. The confusion of what “NY” meant was followed by 10-15 seconds of silence until my mom finally asked if I was coming home!

 

The next night (which made my decision even greater) my sister gets engaged the next night to her boyfriend! Yay! They are a wonderful couple, and I could not be happier for them and the life they will make together. Needless to say, when I got home I was more jolly than Santa and thankful for what I have than ever before. Showing up on doorsteps and surprising the rest of my family really showed how much I was going to be missed by not being there, and how lucky and grateful I am for them.

 

Being here on this amazing journey as a Victory Scholar not only has brought me to a different country to experience the culture and have a great influence on the community, but its helped me take a step back to really understand what I have, and be thankful for it. I realize that not many have the family, the support, love and encouragement that I do, and knowing this motivates and pushes me to give these simple things to the kids I work with every time I see them.

 

Victory Scholar: Jennifer Morabito

Sport League: MAAC League

Present University: Trinity College Dublin

Alma Mater: Canisus College

Unfortunately, the UL Huskies did not make it to the National Cup Finals. With that being said, it didn’t mean I had to miss out on all the great basketball and fun that the cup weekend had to offer!

 

Out of all 13 scholars, only Rita and her Galway Mystics had survived the journey to the tourney and made it to the final game. Of course, as athletes we all want to be the one competing in this important match, and eventually raising the cup as the winner. Unfortunately it doesn’t always work out that way.

 

Even though we couldn’t be playing in the game, we got to do the next best thing… to be a spectator, but more importantly a supporter. There were scholars from Limerick, Waterford, Dublin, and Belfast all at the game supporting Rita and her teammates.

 

When you take that into perspective, it speaks volumes. We came from different parts of the country to support our fellow Victory Scholar, not because we had to, but because we wanted to. We all know how busy everyone is, but we all made time to come watch the game anyway. It’s moments like these that highlight how special this group is. No matter the distance or the situation, this amazing group makes the effort to be there because we all genuinely care for one another and want to be a part of each other’s Sport Changes Life journey.

 

It is still so hard to believe that 5 months ago, we didn’t know each other. After just two short weeks and the occasional hang out here and there, these people have transformed from being complete strangers to family. It is just one of the many incredible gifts and opportunities Sport Changes Life has made possible for me during my year here in Ireland.

 

I truly enjoy every time I get a chance to see my Victory Scholar family. Combining the chance to see my fellow scholars, with the opportunity to see a Scholar win a championship is quite the combination.

 

Congratulations again to Rita and the rest of the Galway Mystics team!   

 

Victory Scholar: Sarah Benedetti

Present University: University of Limerick

US League: NEC

Club/Community Partner: UL Huskies

Alma Mater: St. Francis College 

Sponsored by: Teamwear Ireland

The opportunity to be a Sport Changes Life Victory Scholar has placed me in a surreal position. I have realized my capacities to help people expand their perspectives, while stretching the boundaries of my comfort zone and understanding at the same time. The ability to travel over this break has given me so much; and although I miss my family, and some home-cooked food, and a lot of my friends back home….I could never look back and exchange what these adventures over the past month have shown me. After spending time in London, Paris, and Amsterdam, I am now headed to Cape Town, South Africa for 2 weeks. As I experience different cultures, ideas, settings, styles, and much much more, I realize how the work that I am doing with Sport Changes Life is transferrable across almost any context.

 

Sports aside, the core values that this organization is built upon  (community building through positivity, affirmation, and constructive relationships) are universally human. We can all relate and grow from experiences based in these principles. So I now have this feeling that no matter where I travel and no matter how far I go and no matter how much I may learn and fill my mind with fascinating information…..we will always relate to other human beings through what is universal, that is, what we can all connect to. I hope I can get into more detail as these weeks carry on, but in a nutshell, it is all starting to make a little bit of sense. There is some sort of method to the madness in which we constantly operate.

 

There are so many people in this world, yet the importance and gravity of a positive action by simply one person will always have an infinite and immeasurable effect. I guess in time we’ll find out if my theory is accurate. One thing is for sure, I have caught the travel bug, and I have got it bad bad bad. Every day is a new adventure. 

 

See you in Cape Town!

 

Victory Scholar: Jonathan Nelson

Sport League: ATLANTIC 10

Present University: University of Limerick

Alma Mater: Dayton University

 

As an athlete, I am well aware of the power of positive thinking. I think that one of the best ways you can prepare yourself for a game is through visualizing success. Positivity is also a key motivational element for working hard. I think that my first real lesson in the power of positivity in basketball came to me when I was young player at the Future Stars basketball camp.

I remember that, at this camp, our counselors would always get so excited when it was time to do defensive drills. They would yell and cheer and encourage us to do the same. They made us should “I LOVE DEFENSE” as loudly as we could.

Defense is hard, and practicing it rarely fun. When we’re younger, a steal seems so much less glorious than a 3-point shot. It’s the part of practice we get through, hoping a scrimmage comes later. But when the drills are imbued with positivity and enthusiasm, we can come to enjoy what some would consider the least fun part of the game.

I keep this in mind when coaching the U13 Old Leighlin girls. When the time comes for defensive drills, I get more dynamic than ever, claiming I am so excited to practice my FAVORITE part of the game. I yell “Stance!” and make them slap the ground, professing their love for defense. Few of us really do love defense, but the more times you say it, the truer it begins to sound.

 

 

Victory Scholar: Lillian McCabe

Present University: IT Carlow

US League: Atlantic 10

Club/Community Partner: ITC Basketball

Alma Mater: Davidson College

Sponsored by: Teamwear Ireland

These past few weeks have been amazing! Not only because Santa came but also because I was able to be with my family and friends from home. After exams I was able to take a break from school work and travel to Cologne, Germany with Katie. We went to the Christmas markets there and I think the best way to describe them would to be ‘Christmasy’. The best part was when we were ordering hot chocolate and the guy asked Katie if she wanted white cream (aka whipped cream) and she said, “si.” I don’t know why she felt the need to be in Germany (where they speak German btw…), order in English, and then respond to a question asked in English, in Spanish. Some things about Katie just will always blow my mind LOL.

 

Anyway it was a great short trip and then we went home to Boston! We surprised Madelyn up at Holy Cross as she was ordering pizza (per usual) and then went to Chipotle as our first meal back home in the good ‘ole US of A. Other than the food, it was great to spend time with the whole Ganser clan. The last time we had all been together was last Christmas so it had been quite some time. I think the only thing that had changed was that I had lost quite a bit of hair (#bloodthinners).

 

I was able to see my former teammates and coaches play a few games. It was strange being a spectator but I think it is for the best because there is no shot I would even make it through a practice at this stage.

 

Although my favorite time of year has officially passed, I am very excited to get back to coaching, studying, playing and continuing my journey with Sport Changes Life. There was a nice familiarity coming back to Dublin and I cannot wait to see what 2015 has in store!

 

Victory Scholar: Christine Ganser

Sport League: Patriot League

Present University: Trinity College Dublin

Alma Mater: College of Holy Cross

Recently I had the opportunity to work with photographer Joe Carberry as a model in the Belfast Elite Camera Club Competition.  Joe is a very talented and well-known photographer here in Northern Ireland.  On Wednesday I received the news from Joe that the camera club selected my photo for the print section of the competition.  Congratulations to Joe on his success in the competition, I look forward to working with him again in the future.  Take a look at the photo the Belfast Camera Club selected I have attached it to the blog.  I will also be posting more photos that Joe has taken of me in the near future on my Facebook profile (Jonathan McNair) and my Instagram account (@B0om11) so add and follow me to see more photos and follow my journey as it happens.  Have a blessed day. “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

 

Hello everybody! I want to share how I spent my first Christmas  away from home.  I was very fortunate to have an amazing family adopt me, and with open arms have me spend the Christmas holiday in their home! The Coughlin’s are a family of five- Joe & Gillian and their 3 awesome kids- Katie, Eoin, and Little Joe. This family has been working with the Sport Changes Life program and looking out for the Victory Scholars who are attending the Galway area college programs for several years. 

 

Since I arrived in Galway, I have built and maintained a strong relationship with the Coughlin family; they have made me comfortable that while away from my family stateside, that I have someone who will be there for me when needed. I feel honored that they trusted me to house-sit over the holidays while they went on vacation for a few days; this was definitely a great opportunity as they left me with a full refrigerator of goodies!! After only a few months of knowing the Coughlin’s, they trusted in me enough to watch over their house… I guess that’s the “Friendly Irish” in full effect!

So Christmas Day went kinda like this…I spent a few nights at “home” with my “adopted family”.  We leisurely awoke on Christmas day and around 11:00 am we opened presents. This was definitely different because at home, my younger brothers would be jumping on my bed and screaming at me to wake up, at 6 in the morning, so we could open presents under the tree! I was pleasantly surprised to have a Christmas present under the tree as well!   The Coughlin’s let me know that I was a part of the family too. After the excitement of gifting died down, we later had an Irish dinner, comprised of turkey and dressing, ham, Brussel sprouts and carrots. We watched “Christmassy” movies all afternoon and this made me feel right at home.  Big shout out to the Coughlin’s for making this day special for me!

Thanks to modern technology I was able to share Christmas with my family back at home as well. We “FaceTime” during the present opening and I had presents there too!  It was exciting to see all the smiles on the faces of my family members.  They were “virtually” throwing wrapping paper in my face! This Christmas was not so much about being spoiled with presents, but rather being thankful for all the blessings in our lives. Being able to share Christmas with the Coughlan’s’, AND, to see my family healthy and happy on FaceTime, was my ultimate blessing and one of the best Christmas presents I could ask for.  Having been blessed with the opportunity to share in another culture with my adopted family at Christmas time through the Sport Changes Life program as a Victor Scholar…PRICELESS!

 

Victory Scholar: Darryl Durham

Sport League: Conference Carolinas

Present University: National University of Ireland Galway

Alma Mater: Belmont Abbey College

 Last week, I was able to spend 4 days in London with my classmates. A requirement for my Masters is to participate in an International Business Workshop and our course was fortunate enough to have our workshop in an amazing city like London.

 

The trip was fairly busy with each day mapped out with different tours and presentations. We toured Citigroup on the day that we arrived in London. The building was the headquarters for Citigroup for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. We began in a huge conference room where we heard 5 employees from different departments tell us about their roles within the company and how they got into the position that they are in.  We then got a tour of the building and my favorite part was seeing the trading floor. It was like a seen out of a movie. There were people all over the place and rows and rows of trading stations with 4-6 computer screens on each desk. It was really neat to see and I wish I could have taken a picture but they didn’t allow photos.

 

Over the next three days, we visited the Bank of England, Cass Business School, Lloyd’s, Bloomberg, and Morgan McKinley. We heard an interesting presentation at the Cass Business School that related portfolio management to going out at night with your friends. The presentation talked about the risk vs. reward of going out with certain friends and going out with one friend or a group of friends and then related it to forming a stock portfolio of growth vs. value stocks, long term vs. short term investing, etc.

 

Another thing that sticks out in my mind was touring Bloomberg. I wrote a previous blog about my trading floor and derivatives class that used Bloomberg and now I was able to actually see the company first hand. The building was very modern and looked like how I envisioned Google or Apple would look. It was very high-tech and had bright neon lights everywhere and all the walls were made of glass.  The walls were made of class because the CEO believes in transparency. The software, Bloomberg, displays financial information and the company wants that information to be as accurate, as fast, and as transparent as possible between the buyer and the seller. They carry the motto of transparency into a metaphor with their own building by having no closed doors and having the walls see through.

 

The trip was absolutely amazing that I’ve decided to write two blogs about it….tune in for part two.

 

 

 

Victory Scholar: Staats Battle

 

Present University: University of Limerick

 

US League: ACC

 

Club/Community Partner: UL Eagles

 

Alma Mater: North Carolina State University

 

Sponsored by: Teamwear Ireland