All of my life, I have been thankful for my friends and family. Now, I feel that sentiment more than ever. Spending my first Thanksgiving away from my family and friends back home has helped me to understand that being thankful is more of a consistent perspective. It is most powerful when applied as an unchangeable attitude, rather than a seasonal trend.

Like I have said before, this journey that I am on has led me to meet so many different kinds of people, all broadening my perspective in one way or another. This is what I can be thankful for. Those who I can and will always call my family and friends have given me a framework to work with. They have provided the ideals and values that I refer to; they have given me the tools and the structure to develop my outlook.

That I will always be thankful for. What is on the horizon is the prospect of broadening this structure and utilizing these tools in constructive ways. The only way that I will ever learn to do this is by demonstrating a genuine and gracious gratefulness for all those with whom I cross paths. These are the people that I can now learn from in the present, and these people and their experiences are what will make this journey something life changing.

At some point you realize that you have to be thankful for it all in one way or another, the good and the bad. As bad as things can get, some of the most promising and invaluable lessons and insights would have never arisen without this adversity. As good as things can be, these are always opportunities to learn. So this Thanksgiving I am thankful for all that I have always been thankful for: the support of friends, family, and every single person who has always had my best interest in mind. But furthermore, I am thankful for opportunity. First the opportunity to learn, and ultimately the opportunity to grow. If I get up and can breathe every morning, then who or what is really holding me back? 

#Inspire #Victory

My Wildcat’s 12 and under team are a talented group of young ladies. All season, they usually blow all of their opponents out but they had a tough one against Brunell. Tony and I coached up the girls the entire game but we as a team came up short.

After the game all I could think about was how sport is an emotional roller coaster. In plays the girls displayed brilliance, each player was in a state of happiness, cheering loud and proud. Happiness of scoring. Happiness of stealing the ball from the opponent. Happiness of making their families, coaches, and teammates proud. Then there were not so great moments putting a couple of the girls in tears. Sad about the lost. Sad about fouling out. Sad in terms of nervousness to make a bad decision on the court costing them the game. From a coaching standpoint, all I could do is encourage them but at the same time teach them to learn from their mistakes realizing that coaches too encounter the roller coaster ride of sport.

As a player myself, I’ve had my fair share of experiences with sport putting me into different emotional states. But I was blown away at how it has affected these girls at such a young age and it tells you a lot about their character. The Brunell loss was a tough one to swallow but I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Their attentive, sponge-like ability to soak up my coaching suggestions and apply them in practice or tough matches is a coach’s dream. Admiring their wide range of emotions of happiness and sadness says a lot about their love for basketball and no one could be disappointed in that as I’m in their shoes more often than they believe. With that said, a loss is a loss, a place to learn a great deal and you can bet next practice we are in the lab working so that next time we see Brunell there will be no tears 😉

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

We were informed that we would be meeting with the US Ambassador, Kevin O’Malley, at the US Embassy in Dublin. Four of us loaded up in Gareth’s car, which resulted in Khalid, Ashley and I sitting snuggly shoulder to shoulder in the back. By snuggly, I mean there wasn’t actually enough space for us to all have our backs against the seat, thanks to the smaller cars they make everywhere outside of the USA.  The ride made standing up and getting out of the car feel that much better, no matter how tired I was after staying up until 3:45am (working on finance project) and getting picked up at 7am (waking up at 6:58).

There was some intense security to get through before getting into the Embassy, as expected, but it was great to get back onto American soil, even if for only a few hours. For a little while there, I was not the one with the foreign accent. We got to meet with some of the Ambassador’s staff before briefly meeting with the new US Ambassador, Kevin O’Malley, who has only been at this post for 2 months. He was very interested in the work we are doing and he is supposed to give his boss (Obama) our challenge to a game of basketball.

One of the Ambassador’s staff told us some awesome stories about her time with the State Department at her various posts in Israel and Pakistan, including a story that resembled the opening scene in Argo. She spent her time in Pakistan in Islamabad, which is the setting for the current season of Homeland. Overall, it was an awesome experience! It was a great opportunity to share our message and stories as we continue to grow and expand our reach in Ireland!

Victory Scholar: Ryan Ansel

Sport League: Atlantic 10

Present University: University of Ulster

Alma Mater: Davidson University

I remember coming home from my Davidson visit in the August of 2010, the summer before my senior year of high school. I had been offered a scholarship, met the coaches, and fell in love with the campus for the second time. I was lying on my sister’s bed when my mom asked about my thoughts on the school. I just started crying, lamenting, “But I’m going to be so far away from home!” Davidson was obviously the perfect fit for me, and I was excited about all the opportunities in store. I knew it was where I would go, but was still intimidated by its distance from New York.

I had a similar reaction when I found out I had received the Victory Scholarship. It was something I wanted so badly and that I knew was perfect for me. I was overcome with joy and excitement to have been chosen to undertake this journey. But still, tears came to my eyes and I cried to my mom, “But I won’t be here when the baby is born!”

My mom didn’t need to ask if I was saying yes to these opportunities – that was a given. And these ‘but’ statements weren’t reservations or expressions of possible doubts about my decisions, rather just acknowledgements of the difficulties that would come along with such tremendous journeys. Journeys that would take me far from home.

I hated being away for my nephew’s birth in October, but was so grateful to be able to meet and spend time with him at Christmas. He is such a smiley baby. I miss him and my niece every day, but am thankful for all the videos my sister sends me throughout the week. I feel lucky to be surrounded by so much love worth missing! And for all the support my loving family has given me in my years away from home. 

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

As I was walking to class the other day, a quote spray painted on the side of a building really caught my attention.  It read “never look down on someone unless you’re helping them up”.   As I continued my way to class, I found myself thinking about the message that the artist was trying to convey. When I got to class I found myself jotting it down on the front page of my notebook.  As the teacher started the lecture, I began to daydream….not usual for such a perfect student like myself-wink wink…..  I found myself thinking again about the quote on the building.  Being a basketball player all my life, my initial thought on helping someone up was extending a hand to another player who may have been fouled and hit the floor.  I continued to ponder the meaning and began to realize that it was much deeper than a helping hand on the court.  I realized that in life, no one has the right to look down upon anyone else.  It doesn’t matter, how smart, rich, educated, beautiful, etc., someone may be…. everyone is created equal.  In most cases it is simply chance that creates ones circumstance.  I started thinking…maybe one day I would be fortunate enough to help someone up.  Later that day I headed to Supermacs for a bite to eat.  As I walked out the door going home to enjoy the meal I purchased, a homeless man approached me asking for money.  Being the typical poor college student that I am, I couldn’t quite afford to offer him the few dollars I had left in my pocket for the week, but I did what I could and offered him part of my meal.  At that moment, I was simply sharing a meal with a stranger.  A few days later, I realized that I had been given the opportunity to help someone up instead of looking down on them.  It was a great moment!  During this holiday season, I am thinking of all the reasons that I have to be thankful for; health, sound mind, supportive family, Victory Scholar program, among many other good things in my life.   Yes, I have much to be thankful for TODAY AND EVERYDAY!

Victory Scholar: Darryl Durham

Sport League: Conference Carolinas

Present University: National University of Ireland Galway

Alma Mater: Belmont Abbey College

Today I can say with much joy that I have completed my ten-day Daniel fasting journey.  Throughout these ten days I have experienced significant spiritual and mental growth.  I attribute my growth during this journey to Disciplined prayer and study.  There are so many different areas of my life that have been positively affected over these ten days.   I am going to share two of the most important areas that I believe has changed my life forever.  I have been enlightened by the requirement of physical and spiritual discipline that was needed to make my fasting experience successful.  I have always considered myself to be very disciplined, however my fasting experience has taken that discipline to an entirely new level.

Physical Discipline

I define physical discipline as our ability to prioritize the needs of our spirit over the wants of our flesh.  My life has been transformed through gaining a deeper understanding of this concept.  During my ten days I was restricted from eating meat, fried foods, dairy products, and sugar.  On day two of my fast I started to reflect and realize that I have never had anyone place restriction on what I chose to eat.  So for me making this commitment and lifestyle change was a very big step.  Through my reflection and prayer God started to reveal to me how small things in our lives that we do not manage with discipline can lead to self-destruction.  The physical dependence that I had for certain food made me examine other areas of my life that were only physical desires. I never want a physical desire to take precedence over the need for GOD in my life.  Lately I have been working towards moving closer to discovering the purpose that GOD has ordained for my life.  As I have moved closer to my purpose through the ten days, I started to think about how I would feel if my physical desires disqualified me for the ultimate plan God has over my life.  I believe God’s grace and mercy is sufficient, however I cannot live comfortably knowing that I have not done everything possible to fulfill and protect my GOD given purpose in life.  To think that my inability to control my physical desires could prevent me from being able to fulfill my purpose and receive some of GOD’S blessings is a horrific thought.  I believe certain blessings that GOD bestows upon his people can only be received once we gain his trust.  If I cannot be trusted to abstain from my physical desire for meat and sugar, how can I trusted with blessings such as true wealth or supreme leadership.  My fasting journey forced me to find ways to control my physical desires.  I learned how the power of our thoughts can control our physical desires.  Controlling the things we listen to and watch is very important because it is through our hearing and seeing that our thoughts are developed.  During my fast anything that did not align with my journey I would remove it from my life.  The most important part of being physically discipline is having a changed mind.  I had to make a decision that I would follow through until the end.

Spiritual discipline

My Spiritual discipline was taken to another level through my set goals of prayer, meditation, and bible reading three times a day.   My daily bible reading revealed to me how GOD blessed Daniel with superior knowledge and understanding through his discipline and faith.  My fasting experience brought knowledge and understanding to multiple areas of my life.  I attribute my gain of knowledge and understanding to the spiritual discipline I showed everyday.  I believe GOD rewarded me for seeking him and attempting to move closer to him daily. The bible says GOD revealed deep and hidden things to Daniel.  The Daniel fast for me was all about gaining that superior knowledge and understanding that was rewarded to Daniel for his discipline and faith.

All in all I benefited greatly from my experience and look forward to fasting again.  I have developed habits that I have decided to apply to my life forever.  Thank you for allowing me to share my experience with you. “To God Be The Glory”  

Victory Scholar: Jonathan McNair

Present University: Ulster University

US League: East Coast Conference

Club/Community Partner Ulster Elks/ Andersonstown Tigers

Alma Mater: St Thomas Aquinas College

Sponsored By: 

I can’t believe its already the last week of class. It’s crazy how fast the semester flew by. After having assignments on top of assignments the past few weeks, it will be nice to be done all continuous assessment. The only thing that will be left is to study for exams, which I’m not really looking forward to especially since I have 6 and its been almost two years since I had to take an in-class final 🙁 Hopefully, I find a way to make it through lol.  Knowing after exams, the holidays will quickly be here and school will be done till mid-January, is giving me some extra motivation to power through!

Not only are classes finishing up…it’s Thanksgiving in a few days! Where has the time gone?!? It’s definitely been different this year because with no Thanksgiving decorations in stores and people aren’t buying out the grocery stores to make Thanksgiving dinner. But, I can’t wait to reunite with all the scholars in Belfast to celebrate!! So, stay tuned for a later blog about our Thanksgiving in Belfast. Happy early Thanksgiving everyone!!

One last thing…I’d like to take a quick minute to wish my dad and his high school team, Georgetown Prep, luck in their season opener tonight at Gilman!!! Good luck boys! Can’t wait to catch a game soon 🙂 

Victory Scholar: Nicole Krusen

Sport League: PATRIOT League

Present University: National University of Ireland Galway

Alma Mater: Loyola College

No good road trip is complete without The License Plate Game. I remember quite clearly riding in the back of the ’93 Suzuki craning my neck to see the license plates of fellow travelers. Whether we were headed to my father’s family in Detroit or to visit mom’s sisters in Virginia, sighting something like a Texas or Idaho plate prompted an elaborate fantasy about what brought these travelers so far from home. Were they visiting family like us? Were they on a business trip? Returning home or running away? Of course, I’ll never know for sure but it passed the time quite nicely.
Fast forward to Now: One night when Joe was in tour guide mode, we got on the subject of cars. He told me how you could glean the year of the car, place of registration and quantity of that car sold all from the license plate. Then he happened to ask about a license plate just in front of us. It had ‘WD’ for Waterford, there was ‘D’ for Dublin, and of course ‘G’ for the almighty Galway lol. I was happy to know a few but there were certainly more than a few that I didn’t. Since then, it’s been my pet-project to try to recognize as many license plates as I can and, when I’m close enough, to pick up the bits of Irish imprinted on the plate as well. It’s cool how something like The License Plate Game that I enjoyed so much could help familiarize me another language and Irish geography.

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

Just a few weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend Katie and Shelby’s graduation ceremony. The last graduation I had been to was my own of course and it brought back the memory of sitting in the ceremony after not having slept at all the night before wondering the whole time if it was going to downpour or not. Now before I get all nostalgic about Holy Cross I will tell you a bit about graduation at Trinity. First thing that is different is that the undergrads do not technically graduate until November, so people who are in my course right now are just graduating from their respective colleges. Second, the black robes they wear do not zip up, they are open so you have to wear something nice under them (wow such a big difference I know).

As for the ceremony, it is entirely in Latin. Now the only type of Latin I speak is Pig Latin, and let me tell you, that did not prepare me one bit. It only lasted about an hour, which was nice seeing as I didn’t understand anything. In order to stay entertained I made sure to video tape everything that seemed important for the family back home. I was quite outdone by the group sitting in front of me who each had a camera and the dad even had two. They sure didn’t want to miss anything!

Seeing Katie and Shelby graduate gave Jen and I hope in this crazy end of the semester exam time. It was also nice to experience it because I will probably miss it next year, as I will already be home! I am really missing being able to drink InHouse coffee while I study but I guess I will manage. Speaking of I’m going to chug it when I go home for Christmas. Anyway, I’ll save the list of what I am most excited for during Christmas break for another blog.

Victory Scholar: Christine Ganser

Sport League: Patriot League

Present University: Trinity College Dublin

Alma Mater: College of Holy Cross

Christine’s sister Katie lives with another American, Mai-Thy (Mighty) who is going back home to the states next week. She also coaches basketball here and I’ve had the chance to spend some time with her at the famous (by our books) Jimmy Chung’s Chinese Buffet as well as other nights, and she is nothing less than hilarious to be around.

The “Friendsgiving” dinner was held on Wednesday night to combine our Thanksgiving-of-friends…awwwwh and Mai-Thy leaving. It was a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, cranberries, and most importantly the sweet potato casserole / brown sugar heaven dish prepared by Christine and I (partially). It was made with three large sweet potatoes and a doubled batch of the brown sugar-butter-nut topping. It was basically dessert and was more or less, the hottest item on the table. I prepared the napkins as my sister and I always do for the holidays, and I taught Christine the folding technique as well so she could help. 🙂

This upcoming Thursday- the actual Thanksgiving, all the scholars will be heading up to Belfast for dinner and a night together! It will be a good break for us from our studies to relax and be together. In the first two weeks of training we were together constantly, and since we’ve been at our own separate cities, we haven’t had a chance to all be together again.

As for school, I’m happy to say I have officially handed in my last final project, and can take a few breaths before preparing for exams starting next Friday! Wahoo! Grading here usually depends on your final exam and final projects in classes, so crunch time has officially begun.

It is crazy to think that our time here is just about half way over. The classmates we have gotten to know and kids in the community we’ve worked with and spent time with have been amazing. I am lucky to have a great team at the Oblates, who is quickly becoming an extended family of mine. This next weekend we play Jess at Carlow, (OoOOoo) so I’m looking forward to how this will play out! Stay tuned. 

Victory Scholar: Jennifer Morabito

Sport League: MAAC League

Present University: Trinity College Dublin

Alma Mater: Canisus College

This week was the last week before my management course starts up again with the realities of course work and weekly lectures. With a few days to kill before second semester classes begin, a group of my classmates got a chance to hang out outside of school to take a road trip to see the jaw-dropping beauty of the northern coast. I’d like to give a huge shoutout to Gareth and Laura who drove us to see all the sites. They showed us more than us out-of-towners would’ve ever seen otherwise. By the end of the day I told Gareth he should consider being a tour guide because of the way he would tell us stories about both the more well-known places, like Giants Causeway and the Carrick-a Rede rope bridge, as well as places I would have never known to go tucked away on parts of the coast that were just as breathtaking. It was a great experience seeing so many new places with new friends.

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

On Wednesday we went to a graduation ceremony for the Ehoopers which featured several of the local groups I have been involved with.  Out of all the groups it was good to see the guys from West Belfast at an event like this because it shows there commitment to the program.  West is an interesting group of guys because of the diverse personalities.  Dan is the loudest personality of the group and likes to make a joke about everything but the program has helped him bring his life together.  He has recently started a job with Sky.  When I first started Dan would never participate and mostly just used the sessions as an opportunity to mess around.  But the changes in Dan’s demeanor are clearly evident with his focus in securing employment instead of just wandering the streets.  Another guy that the night seemed to mean a lot to was James who also is recently employed. Through every session he was a leader for the group and always tried to keep to rest of the guys from West focused on what we were trying to accomplish in Ehoops.  Through the conversations I’ve had with the guys, they say a lot of people disregard them and see them as lazy thugs.  Usually kids there age in West Belfast would just loiter around the shops all day instead of going to school or working.  The West Belfast Ehoops group recognized how they were waisting their potential and sought to change their lives by participating in the Ehoops program.  This group has shown the ability to want alter the narrative of the lazy boys from West, through the sense of direction and confidence that the Ehoops program has given them.

Victory Scholar: Khalid Robinson

Present University: University of Ulster

Alma Mater: Fordham University

Of course, my family and friends were my main concern, but beyond that, there were so many little things that I was worried about missing for the next year. Some of the most dear to my heart would be the little things: Siracha hot sauce, television, and my dad’s cooking. And then there was the fact that I had to leave my car behind; even though it is a piece of crap (a 1999 Toyota Camry), I knew I would miss driving my little baby. 

Many of the Ehoopers (especially the Rathfern girls) came dressed to impress. We are used to seeing each other in athletic gear, so it was a nice change of pace. The 2nd Annual Celebration for Community Achievement was an opportunity for Ulster University to celebrate the work of their community partners, and more importantly the work of the individuals involved.

The community members in these programs have been gaining education and new skills to better prepare themselves for future employment.

At Sport Changes Life, our mission is to raise the aspirations of young people, and it was amazing to see all the Ehoopers walk across the stage. This was a first step for many, but it was a big one. 

Each one of them grew and developed as an individual throughout the program. Many now have found work, or have at least built a foundation and network that will help them gain work.

I was informed that evening that one of the West Belfast lads had been awarded “Best of Belfast” for his work within the community. He now works as a sports mentor and a role model for many of his peers. He was nominated by PSNI officers, despite coming from a community where there is great tension between PSNI and the residents, especially the youth.

It was a fantastic night and an amazing reminder of the impact we can have on the lives of these young people who have been faced with great adversity. It is incredible that they find the courage and time each week to come to Ehoops to improve themselves, as well as their communities.

Victory Scholar: Ryan Ansel

Sport League: Atlantic 10

Present University: University of Ulster

Alma Mater: Davidson University

As I sat in the concert hall at the University of Limerick for Kelsey’s graduation from her program last year, I began to reflect on a lot of things. I thought about my own time in Ireland. More specifically, I reflected on my first 5 months in this wonderful country, the next and final 4 months I have, as well as all the awesome relationships I’ve made in between.

It truly is amazing how quickly you can become so close with a person. I reflected on this very concept as I attended the graduation as her “substitute family,” since her family couldn’t make it. However, as I watched the graduation, and cheered her on as she received her diploma, I realized I wasn’t a substitute at all. In just three months, Kelsey and I went from having never spoken to each other, let alone having met each other, to being such close friends that we could be considered family.    

Having a previous scholar be back in Limerick with me has helped me in so many ways. Not only has it been awesome to play basketball with her, but it has also been great to have someone that has been in my very spot. She has experienced everything that I am going through, which makes it so nice to be able to come to her and ask for some coaching tips, or blog advice, or even to help think of a great instagram caption for the SCL page.    

Sitting in the concert hall is when it hit me that in a year’s time, it will be me walking across that stage. Although right now, it feels like an eternity away, I know it will be here before I know it. I’m sure Kelsey would agree and say the same thing happened to her.

With that being said, I look back at all the amazing things I have gotten to experience, and take part in during my first semester in Ireland. Although I am very grateful and appreciative, I am still not satisfied. I have another semester to explore, play the amazing sport I love, help out in the community, as well as to personally grow and take in every opportunity that comes my way. I think about how quickly the first semester came and went, and I can only imagine how quickly this next semester will go. It is my personal goal to make this final half of my year the very best it can be!  

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

Every Monday morning, bright and early, Barry and myself go through a hour long lesson with the primary school boys at St. Munchin’s primary school in Limerick. To be honest, I can see why they can hardly sit still. We either discuss the history of Arsenal Football Club, beginning in the early 1900’s, in order to help them with reading and writing; or what we may do are math problems related to football in some way. Quite frankly, the resources that the Arsenal Double Club program provides are amazing, and I am happy to be a part of anything Arsenal. Still, working out of the workbook is not the most fun thing in the world, even I can remember that from my elementary days. But the kids are kept engaged by the prospect of an hour of football every fourth Monday.

Well luckily for them, last week was that fourth Monday. It was quite rainy outside so we played with about 18 boys in what appears to have been an old classroom with hardwood floors. A little indoor futsal, eh? The kids were bouncing off of the walls, literally. I had so much fun, as I am sure they did based on their energy levels.

What was cool for me was the fact that for some reason they thought that I was leaving back to America after this session (must’ve been a joke Barry made or something). As we were closing the session, all the kids were worriedly asking if I was going back to America and if I would be coming back to Ireland. Although I could reassure them that I would be seeing them for a while, it was definitely encouraging to know that, although they may seem disengaged and half asleep on Monday mornings, the sessions and interaction mean something to them. That’s really why we are here, to provide something meaningful and memorable for them. Now that I know they value this connection, I am pretty inspired to keep making connections with these young guys. I have to say, affirmation, appreciation, and confirmation, whether direct or indirect certainly makes me happy that I am in such a privileged position to act as a role model for these kids. They’re champs.

Victory Scholar: Jonathan Nelson

Sport League: ATLANTIC 10

Present University: University of Limerick

Alma Mater: Dayton University

I must give a special thanks to Laura and Gareth for taking a small group of students for our management/sports management course up the coast. We were all so excited to see the Giants Causeway because we heard so much about it and it was a beauty!

The trip was filled with good views, nice people and good times. The best part about the trip (even better than the triple burger I had at the Ramore) was a place called Ballantoy. It was a hidden gem that I had not heard of before, we wouldn’t have gotten to see it without our own local tour guide Gareth Bell! It was one of the nicest views I have ever seen and if you go up the coast you gotta make a pit stop there. I’m so glad that Kelly and I got to see this together and that we were blessed enough to meet the wonderful people we went with. Thanks for reading folks see you next time.

Victory Scholar: James Zuccaro

Present University: Ulster University

US League: Skyline Conference

Club/Community Partner: Ulster Elks

Alma Mater: College of Mount Saint Vincent

Sponsored by: Teamwear Ireland

After a great day coaching the U14 Tigers this Saturday, Khalid and I decided to get dropped off in town and enjoy the Christmas Market we’d heard so much about. Ryan and Caroline took the train in to meet us there and I have to say, it is worth the hype! I’d been hearing about the market for awhile leading up to the winter months, and I wasn’t sure what to expect exactly. City Hall is already a site to see, as the architecture is so gorgeous and it is always lit up in all the colors of the rainbow at night. The Christmas Market is actually wrapped around City Hall so that while you’re walking through it you can look up and see the beautiful building on one side with a huge “Happy Christmas” sign hung up.

Before we reached the actual site however, we could hear the celebration from blocks away. There was live music and a jumbo screen, as well as dancers and people giving out free stuff everywhere. Khalid and I arrived almost exactly at 6pm when it opened, and we didn’t have to wait in line at all.  There were all kinds of shops inside, many selling different foods and candy, as well as apparel, toys, jewellery, and traditional Irish keepsakes/collectibles. People seemed to be having the best time sampling all of the different beers and mulled wines, and there were even a few beer halls within the market, glowing with Christmas lights from the inside out.

It was obvious that the event staff expected a large turnout for the first night, so they were very disciplined when it came to the entrance and exit. You could only get in one way and get out another way. I’d forgotten to stop at the ATM before entering but really wanted to purchase some Irish stew from one of the vendors. I left through the exit and got some cash out, only to return to the entrance and find a line that went around the corner, wrapping around the other side of City Hall. It couldn’t have been past 7pm at that point, only an hour into the market being open and I would have had to wait at least an hour to get back in! The great thing about opening night, however, is that the whole city was buzzing and there was plenty to do around the market as well. I went to a nearby café and waited for the rest of my roommates to finish up in the Market, and we went to a friend’s house in town to hangout.

I honestly can’t wait to get back to the Market. I already love being in city centre for obvious reasons. I can’t get over the fact that I can be standing in Victoria’s Square, some would say the busiest part of the city, and still be able to look up and see a beautiful green mountain side. You don’t really get that in Philly. The Christmas Market brings a whole new beauty into the atmosphere though, and it reminds me of what a friend told me about Belfast. She had studied abroad here a few years ago, and she was one of the first to tell me about the Christmas Market. She said the culture here is a lot different when it comes to the holidays. Christmas especially, is so much more about the joy than the materials. In America, we waste no time compiling hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of gifts to the point where it becomes a stressful time for most people during the year. Here, not as much emphasis is placed on the “consumer” aspect of it all. They put more emphasis on the lights and the events… the feeling of Christmas.  That’s perfect for me because I have no money.

I’m so happy the market is open so early as well, and it will stay open every day through December!  I can’t wait to go back and just meander through the shops for hours with friends. I’m expecting my first visitor a week from today, and the Christmas Market will be one of the first activities on our itinerary. 

Victory Scholar: Ashley Montecchio

Present University: University of Ulster

Alma Mater: Rosemont College

Last Friday, I had to laugh to myself while sitting in my final class of the week. At Davidson, Coach Mary Ciuk had spent pretty much all four of my undergraduate years encouraging me to take a class in Communications. She knew I was not big on the whole speaking in front of groups of people thing, and that this phobia was pretty much totally at odds with my professional goals of becoming a professor. As my lecturer at IT Carlow presented our syllabus for the year, which includes plenty of practice with presentations, I thought about how I was finally fulfilling Coach’s advice.

I had always avoided her advice, coming up with reasons why I couldn’t do what she suggested – come on Coach, I’m a double major, I don’t have any time in my schedule. But even though I continuously tried to avoid talking about it (just thinking about having to give regular speeches in front of my peers was enough to make me uncomfortable), I really valued that she was interested in my personal and professional development off of the court. I also appreciated when other coaches would do the same, like Coach Savage asking about the classes I was in and how they were going or even how my niece was doing. Such small expressions of interest meant a lot to me and my teammates. Thinking about this reminded me of the power that coaches have to make their players feel valuable. With such a position of authority comes great potential for building character. Now that I find myself in that position as a coach, I want to remember how good it felt to be valued so that I can give my own players some of that attention. It reminds me that we are not just here to develop basketball players, but to help develop people. 

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