Future Scholars, if you’re reading about the SCL program and wondering: “what are all the different basketball leagues in Ireland? How does it work?”, I don’t blame you…To be honest, I am just starting to figure it out in my seventh month! In this blog, I will try to explain in full the basketball setup at Ulster University.

In short, Shay and I play for three Ulster Elk affiliated teams in three entirely separate leagues. I will go through my experience with team individually, in hopes that it gives 2019-2020 scholars a general idea of what they can expect next year.

First, there’s the national league Elks- who play in the second highest league in Ireland (super league is the top division). In national league, non-european players are not allowed to be on the floor at the same time, which is really frustrating. We have a national league game essentially every weekend from September to May as well as practice twice a week. Of the three teams you will play on, most consider National League the most “professional”. Lastly, a wee tip if you are a scholar coming in above 6’0! No matter what position you played in college back home, be ready to get your butt in the post… I was a combo guard at Amherst, and have played center all year in Ireland. I would suggest developing your back to the basket game before you arrive in Belfast!

Next is the University team Elks. This is essentially the “NCAA” of Ireland. There are three divisions, and Ulster is in the highest division in on the island. So far, the college league has been my favorite. Shay and I are allowed to play at the same time which is SO MUCH FUN!!! Most games we play 35-40 minutes a game, which allows us to stay in a rhythm and play off each other. Of our three squads, the college team is far and away the most talented. Players from Belfast Star (the local super league team) who study at Ulster join the team which is a lot of fun. So far this season we are undefeated and play in the All Ireland Championship game on Wednesday!! GO ELKS BABY!!!!

Lastly, there is the premier league, or “local league” team as some call it. The premier league is the highest level of basketball in Northern Ireland. Because it’s a Northern Irish league and Ulster University is the only SCL affiliated school in the U.K., Shay and I are the only scholars in this league. I am a coach/player combo for the squad, which has presented a few challenges of its own (see my blog titled “Coaching in Belfast” for more on that). There is is a mix of national league and less experienced hoopers that are signed up, and so far it has been a great season. Playoffs start next week, so I will be sure to keep you guys in the loop on how we do!

I am hoping this provides future scholars with at least a little background on the basketball at Ulster University. While at times frustrating, it’s important to take a step back and maintain perspective. I can’t forget how lucky I am to be continuing my basketball career in a foreign country. Not too many athletes are fortunate enough to say the same.

I’m writing this blog riding shotgun in the seven seater ford galaxy the Elks travel to for games. I say seven seater, but really its closer to 5… somehow though we always find a way to cram a basketball team into this thing.

We just got our 9th win of the premier league season against the Omagh Thunder. This year I’ve had the pleasure of coaching and playing with the “local league” squad. (If you are wondering about the different leagues across the island, read my last blog “The Ins and Outs of Elks Hoops”). It’s been quite a learning experience coaching this team. I have had some experience coaching in youth camps back home, but have never had the chance to coach a group of guys the same age as me. I have learned to organize a practice plan, effectively communicate the knowledge I have acquired through my experience as a player, develop meaningful relationships with my players off the court, and make a number of tough in-game decisions.

Specifically, it has been hard for me to split up playing time amongst the group. Most of the guys on the team are older than me. They are my friends and classmates. It’s easy for doubt to creep in. What gives me the authority to tell someone they can’t come into the game? Will they get angry if they don’t see enough of the court?

More than once this year I have had to choose between rewarding talent or hard work. We practice every Monday at 7, and some weeks we have only had 3 or 4 players show up. And every week, it’s the same 3 or 4 guys. They have been committed to the team, paid their dues, shown up to every game, gone out of their way to wash kits and drive to away matches, message me on Facebook to see if they can get extra shots up… but this particular group of 4 is not the most talented or experienced.

On the other hand, some guys are very good basketball players, but only show up to practice and even games when it suits them. They walk into the gym expecting to start immediately, with no regard for the players who have worked their butts off in practice.

This predicament has been my hardest to deal with as a coach. If I play the 4 who are dedicated and done all the right things, we may lose a winnable game. If I play the talented, uncommitted guys, I am essentially rewarding them for their lack of effort.

I have made the decision that no matter what the score is, no matter the opponent or situation, I will always make sure that players who stay committed to the team, who show up to practice and do all the little things, will see the floor. Basketball- and sport in general- HAS to be bigger than wins and losses. If the Sport Changes Life foundation has taught me anything, it’s that. I believe that developing your players as human beings should be the number one priority of any coach at any level. And hopefully, by rewarding commitment and hard work on the court, players will develop the same characteristics off of it.

For about three years now I have been giving up social media for lent. To be totally transparent, I was going through a bad breakup back then and was looking for something to get my mind off it. But every time I would look on social media I was just getting sucked into a negative space. My entire life I was raised catholic – from elementary, to middle, to Highschool, to even college, I’ve always attended catholic schools. I thank my catholic experiences as well as my pastor Father Derivan for building me up as the person I am today.

With that, I decided to turn back to God and commit even stronger to strengthening my relationship with God.  Lent is a great time for Catholics to give something up in remembrance of Jesus’ suffering leading up to his crucifixion. When I was younger I gave up things like chocolate, soda, candy, or my absolute favorite chocolate chip cookies (side note, supermacs cookies are unreal!) But after talking to my pastor about lent and what else I can do more, he gave me the idea of giving up social media.  So along with giving up meat on Friday’s in remembrance of Jesus, I’m also staying off social media. This list includes, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and my all time favorite Twitter.

Now, I use all 4 of these social media platforms for both personal use and for my business, Be You Stay True. To say it’s tough is an understatement! I love social media for the sure purpose of spreading positivity and keeping up with my friends and all they do. But I can get “lost in the sauce” and stay on social media liking pictures, catching a perfect snap, updating on Facebook, or laughing at memes on Twitter for hours at a time.  What I hope after these 40 days is for me to spend less time on social media and spend more time in the “moment”. Enjoying life’s experiences as they come and go. I get so caught up trying to update everyone on what’s going on in my life – but missing those moments as they come. Staying off social media is hard the first couple days because I always catch myself looking through my phone as if the social media apps are still there. But after a week or two, it gets easier. I don’t always have to be updated or keep others updated during lent when I’m trying to focus on myself and my relationship with God. So with that, if you’re currently on your Lenten journey – I wish you the best and hope your relationship with God gets stronger! Use these 40 days as a fresh start and best of luck! Cheers!

Never in my life would I have thought that I’d be living in the same house a group of people from 4 different countries, yet, here I am. My living situation in Letterkenny is pretty great. It’s a 6-bed room house that’s a 5-minute walk from the school. It is also equipped with our own washing machine as well as a ridiculous view in the back- yard. The level of diversity is just a cherry on top.

My house mates Lauren and Manon are from France and they have been living with us all year. In the first semester, we also lived with a guy from Belgium named Hendrix. In the second semester, he was replaced with Alba who is from Madrid Spain. I also live with three other American scholars Tweedy, Dee, and Cullen. Tweedy is from the DMV, Dee is from Albany and Cullen is from Connecticut. Our customs, language and lingo are all very different but after being exposed to so many nationalities, I feel like I’m more “cultured” then I was when I first arrived.

When most people walk into their home, they are met with something like “hey how was your day?. Instead, when I walk through the door it’s “bonjour! Ca va?”. To which I reply jumbled version of something like, “Vais bien merci”. Alba, Manon, and Lauren, all agreed that they would help me learn their language if I helped them with their English, so it’s been a work in progress. All of them are much better at English then I am at their respective languages by a long- shot. The only thing that Manon and Lauren struggle slightly with is pronunciation but nothing major. They say my name like “Spensah” which I get a kick out of it just like they get a kick out of my failed attempts to put together a sentence in French or roll my “R”’s.

There are some cultural differences that were evident right away. For example, the French girls find my appetite to be astounding. Every time I bring my plate to the dining table and they see the portion size, they always laugh to each other in their native language. It’s pretty obvious that they are talking trash in French, and they do the same whenever I leave anything at all in the living room. Apparently, the French like things to be tidy and organized and that is not exactly my strong suit. Both Lauren and Manon have chucked a variety of items into my room with an attitude, but besides that we get along perfectly.

On the other hand, living with an international group of people has allowed me to delve into French and Spanish cuisine …which has been sensational. Alba always makes proper fajitas which never disappoints. Manon and Lauren will regularly chef up lasagna, and crepes which has been delightful. They always make plenty extra because they I know I will attack whatever food they make. The main thing that I’ve put them on to is American pancakes and seasoned baked potatoes. I also noticed that they have adopted hot sauce which they used to tease me for using too much of.

While there may be some misunderstandings here and there, living in such a diverse household has been very interesting as well as eye-opening. Hendrix and I got along great despite the fact that according to him, I was the first African-American person he’s ever met. We bonded by laughing at the girls when they overreacted to the “mess” that I left in the kitchen that day. He also was a tech savvy person and since my Master’s involves computers, he was able to help me understand the terms and computer programs which was super clutch. Some of the most interesting conversations I had with Hendrix involved what life in Belgium was like, as well as his thoughts on America in general. He would ask about certain stereotypes and I would confirm or deny them for him. He didn’t teach me his language or cook me food, but he helped me gain some perspective and it was a pleasure having him as a house mate.

With so many different personalities and nationalities in one house, you might think that living in Shalom House would be like a reality TV show, but it’s gone smoothly, and I’ve learned a ton along the way. I knew that I would be exposed to Irish culture, but I never thought I’d be under the same roof with three other different cultures as well. It’s been a blast and I hope my housemates have enjoyed the experience just as much as I have.

Okay so I’m from New York City. So, one of my biggest fears when moving to a new place is where I’m going to get my haircut. In Harlem, there is at least one barbershop every two blocks with at least two dudes who are nice with the clippers. I’d say most people find a barber, and stick with he or she if they do a good job the first time. The toughest part, is breaking a bond with your old barber and selecting a new one. To some people, this may seem like an easy decision to make. You could just look up a barbershop, walk in and go to the first person who invites you into their chair. However, if you have ever experienced a bad haircut, then you know that finding a new barber takes some research. Not all barbers cut hair the same way and not all people have the same type of hair. So finding the right fit is very important to me. I knew that when I arrived in Ireland it would take me some time to find a barber that I was comfortable with. 

About a month after arriving in Ireland, I decided it was time to get my first haircut. I planned on letting my hair grow out while I’m abroad so I wouldn’t be getting complete haircuts, just shape-ups. A shape-up is when the barber just cuts the edges around your hair and cleans up your hairline. I wanted to find a local barber in Dundalk so I didn’t have to travel much when I decided to get a haircut. The first barber I went to had a really nice shop and he was young so I trusted him with my hair. This was a mistake. I was less than pleased with the result. My hairline was slanted and he had even pushed it back in the corners. One look in the mirror and I knew I wouldn’t be returning. 

After that traumatizing experience, I thought I’d ask a kid on my team who cut his hair. We have similar hair and I liked his new haircut. He pointed me in the direction of a barber named Evan. Evan was nice with the clippers. He’s the artist responsible for the haircut I have in the feature picture of this blog. Evan’s from Dundalk and together, him and three other dudes around my age own a spot called Renegade 13 (look it up). At Renegade 13, they play Hip Hop music and talk about everything from sports to fashion. See the essence of a barbershop isn’t just about getting a fresh haircut, but also about the experience you attached to the haircut. Renegade 13 had the perfect formula. They were just a little pricey for my budget this year. But every now and then, I pop in on Evan at Renegade 13 for the experience and a fresh shape up. 

 I also stumbled upon another barber in Dublin. Moe was his name. I was referred to Moe by a kid on my basketball team name Hillary. I saw Hillary with a couple dope haircut’s so I knew he would point me in the right direction. Moe’s barbershop is named Caesar’s and the place is always full. Full of people and full of culture. Everyone who works at Caesar’s is of African decent but they still maintain a diverse client base. Moe is also nice with the clippers. On top of that, his haircuts are very cheap. Actually the cheapest haircut I have ever had. So Moe represents the golden combination of skill and cheap. Moe is my other regular barber and I know with his skills he could survive in the hair cutting business anywhere. Even in New York City.  The moral of story, is there are good barbers everywhere. Even in Ireland. However, if you value perfection in your haircuts and overall barbershop experience, do some research before you sit down in a random barber’s chair.  

In applying for the Victory Scholarship, I had to answer the question: “ What aspect of the program are you most excited for?” Without a doubt, my response was coaching. From the first “pee wee” basketball team I coached in middle school, I have developed a deep love for helping players improve individually and collectively. I am obsessed with the X’s and O’s- its exciting to think about subbing offense/defense in the last few minutes, calling the right timeouts, and drawing up the right quick hitter for a last second three. Most importantly, I believe that coaches have a unique opportunity to develop their players as people.

Along with scholar Kollyns Scarborough, I have had the opportunity to help coach the Ulster U18 and U20 women’s teams. For both squads, Kollyns and I are assistants under Sport Changes Life Co- Founder Deirdre Brennan. It’s been such a fun learning experience coaching with Deirdre- she knows a ton about the game and is quick to spot a strategic advantage and make an adjustment to exploit it. What has made the biggest impression on me is Deirdre’s emphasis on the relationship side of coaching. She believes that you can be as knowledgable as all get out, but if you can’t communicate effectively and take an interest in your players off the court, you will not be a good coach. It reminds me of something David Hixon, my head coach at Amherst College, said to me last year: “A coach isn’t defined by the amount of wins or losses in their career, but rather the number of former players weddings they attend later in life.” I’ve tried to teach the girls this year that playing basketball is much bigger than any one game. We’ve had fun, made new friends, and developed leadership teamwork, and communication skills that apply to life off the court.

Deirdre has given Kollyns and I a ton of responsibility each week in practice. We are in charge of running an offensive and defensive breakdown, teaching a specific defensive style, and coaching a team in the scrimmage. The experience has helped me effectively communicate the knowledge I have gained as a player over the years. Whether I make a career out of basketball or not, I know I want coaching to remain a huge part of my life. I can’t wait till the next game with the lady elks!

Not all of the differences between Ireland and America are completely obvious. For example, the gas station food in Ireland is actually acceptable and it considered a go- to option for people who don’t have time to sit down and eat. It’s a minor distinction but I can comfortably order wings or a pulled pork sandwiches at the gas stations and I don’t know anyone in their right mind that would order those things at a Shell or BP back home. One of the not-so subtle differences that I noticed between the U.S and the Irish is the steps that Ireland takes to be Eco-friendlier.  The country is full of healthy green- land because people here live a green lifestyle. Below is a list of frequent sustainable behavior that I have noticed over the past 6 months.

• I first realized these slight attempts at being green in the grocery store. Instead of automatically getting handed a plastic bag for all your things, you are asked to pay a dollar for them. As a result, majority of people here reuse bags from the past or bring bookbags to Aldi and Tesco. This has proven to be a strongly effective way to minimize plastic waste because even those who could care less about the environment have no intrest in paying extra for bags. I mean if anything can motivate a person to change their behavior…its mula.
•  The next thing I quickly noticed is that in almost all public bathrooms regardless of it’s a Garda station or a McDonald’s provide air-drying systems and motion detectors for the sinks in order to limit the amount of paper towels and water we use during bathroom trips. This approach is not only more sanitary, but it also prevents us from wasting and overusing paper on a day- to- day basis. Similarly, the showers at away games are set up in a way that requires you to keep pushing a button every 15 seconds or the water stops. The temperature of the water is permenantly high so that allows us to avoid wasting water while waiting for it to heat up. If you are like me, than you probably waste water in the shower regularly just chilling and thinking about life instead of just getting in and out so a measure to limit that habit is definitely vital.
• I can’t even take cash out the ATM without being reminding that Ireland is environmentally superior to the U.S. At ATM’s instead of just automatically spewing out a receipt, the machines only print them out when they are specifically requested. Most of the time, the information on the receipt can already be viewed on the screen anyway and giving a countless number of people  the option to withhold from printing could go a long way in saving the planet on a larger scale.
• Even LYIT, the school where I am pursuing my masters has several “earth day pledge” flyers hanging up around the school that encourage us to switch off lights and monitors when they’re not in use, use power saving options on computers and turn down heating controls instead of opening windows to cool down. On top of that, there is regularly school-wide emails sent out about saving the environment including one titled, “drowning in plastic” which consisted of a plastic bottle deposit scheme geared toward devising a plan to put a cap on excess plastic usage. Currently there is large cut-outs of cardboard signs that show the do’s and don’ts of recycling all around the campus. All of those things on the surface seem like very small irrelevant differences, but together they contribute to a culture that prioritizes the well-being of our planet. Ireland is a fresh -air -having beautiful country but it did not get there by accident. 

The Irish mindset it simply more conscious of living a sustainable lifestyle and it shows. I have a friend here who is very lenient about leaving garbage in their car but the moment anyone tries to litter they will freak out and refuse to allow it. Within Irish homes it is common that they use the fireplace for warmth, and I noticed that many of them including my land lord are sticklers for turning the lights out when you’re not in the room. Even the biggest cities like Belfast and Dublin generally tend to have much less garbage all over the ground compared to places like Chicago and NYC. The amount effort put forth here in combating climate change is definitely respectable and they have shown that it doesn’t take life- altering decisions to make a difference in the world. America should take notes.

For the past 6 months, I have been able to coach with several local clubs throughout Letterkenny and Derry. I have able to work with aspiring athletes from local clubs Letterkenny Blaze, Northwest Basketball Academy, Mulroy Hoops and Northstar in Derry. Each of these practices has been vastly different, yet have provided me with the opportunity to enhance the basketball throughout the region. I have relished in my time working with the various teams on their basketball development. Throughout the sessions, I have been able to see the growing love for the game take shape. With only a few months left working with many of these players, I will be working to continue to cherish these sessions as much as possible.

As a coach, you really don’t know what your impact can be on the people that you work with. Prior to a training session with the LYIT national league team, I met Laura who plays for the women’s team Fabplus. A couple of days earlier I coached her son Sean who plays for the Letterkenny U12 boys team. After the training session earlier in the week, Sean had gone home thrilled. She mentioned that he was boasting about how I used him in demonstrations of the skills and that I even knew his name. These are two very small things that wouldn’t mean to much to me, as it is something I try to do every session. Yet to Sean it meant the world. After hearing this it made me reflect on the impact I can have as a coach. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the players and clubs that I coach with. I get the opportunity to boost young athletes lives through the game that I grew to love and provide them with enjoyable training sessions. Those two things alone make my time as a coach more meaningful. Coaching has provided me with a platform to share my gift while inspiring the lives around me. I wouldn’t want it to be any other way.

I am about to attempt to complain without coming across as ungrateful or petulant.  As a disclaimer; I’m happy to be here, but it’s been a rough ride lately.  A decent chunk of it stems from the fact that my golf game is nowhere near where I expect it to be.  Not having easy access to transportation means I rarely get to practice, yet here I spent the last few days at a tournament in England at a beautiful links course.  Normally, I would expect to compete to win this tournament, but I missed the cut, and frankly I was embarrassed to see the only American flag on the leaderboard sitting next to my name in the “missed cut” category.  If this weren’t my second straight missed cut (dating back to October), I’d say it may have something to do with the fact that I sprained my wrist two weeks ago while boxing.  But I digress.

I’m not that upset about not getting to practice.  I usually spend a good chunk of winter without touching a golf club when I’m back home.  It’s a nice mental and physical reset.  But then when I get back into competing, I am used to resuming spending 40+ hours a week working on my golf game to improve and prepare to compete at the highest level.  Here, I am lucky to get 4 hours a week.  It’s not anyone’s fault, really.  It’s just a logistical issue.  Not practicing doesn’t frustrate me, but going to compete when I haven’t been able to practice?  That does.  Maybe its because I’m really competitive, or maybe its because I’m just used to maintaining a much higher standard of play.  I had not missed a cut in any event since I was 18, and now I’ve missed two in a row.

Additionally, I’m finally experiencing what people mean when they say that grad students are often broke.  I am at a point where doing anything fun requires serious contemplation for the reason of not having much money or any substantial source of income, and it is undoubtedly affecting my attitude.

Luckily, I have found use of the time I would otherwise be using to practice.  I have been working out more lately and getting into better shape than I may have ever been.  I have always enjoyed being active, but ever since I started pushing myself by taking up boxing I have been enjoying the cardio side of things as well (which is new).  The habits I’m forming right now will hopefully stick with me for a long time.  I’ve never before enjoyed running or jumping rope, but lately it has been something I look forward to.

Golf has always been the most important thing in my life.  I live and breathe the game.  I study its history and architecture, I listen to too many golf podcasts, I love browsing photography of different courses, I tinker with my own equipment, and I even stare out car windows imagining how a course would look laid out upon the land I’m driving by.  I sacrificed lots of things to become the player I am today.  I’m not a natural talent, I worked for it.  I missed countless concerts, parties, and trips with family or friends, rejected internship opportunities and even ended multiple relationships along the way.  And I don’t regret any of it.  It has brought me thus far and introduced me to people and opportunities I will always be thankful for.  It is just that it is unsettling when something consumes your life and then has to take a backseat.  I just have to keep channeling my energy in the right ways and I’ll be fine.

I’m loving life as an Ulster Victory Scholar. Every day, I take part in an activity- in the classroom, community, and on the court- that I am passionate about. But it is important to note this incredible program does not come without its challenges.

For starters, basketball as an Ulster Elk has been frustrating. It is an Irish National League rule that only one American can play at a time, which means Shay and I play a maximum of 20/40 minutes. It’s tough to sit on the bench during a critical point in the game simply because of where you were born.There are also stark contrasts in the level of commitment and playing style compared to back home. Some days we have only had 3 or 4 players show up for practice, and more than once we have traveled to a game with 5 players. Maintaining and instilling a positive outlook and a strong work ethic is difficult but so important. I have faith it will pay off in the second half of the season.

Other challenges occur off the court. During an especially challenging community engagement event, the other scholars and I are pushed out of our comfort zone in order to provide the best possible mentorship. Trying to break through stereotypes and barriers that have been prevalent for generations is not easily achievable. Similarly, cultural differences between Northern Ireland and the U.S. can make it difficult to effectively communicate with coaches, teammates, and above all else, the objectively bad Northern Irish referees (will write a separate blog on that…)

Most of all, it’s really hard living so far away from the people (and dogs) you love. There are days where all I want to do is escape that uncomfortable feeling. How easy would it be bus down to Dublin, get on the next flight home, and take refuge in the comfort of friends and family.

On the hard days, it is important to take a step back and appreciate this experience for what it is. Yes, I miss my people back home. Yes, I am put in difficult situations that test my character. But I am confident that the challenges I have faced during my time in Belfast will only make me a better mentor, employee, friend, and father down the road. In a way, living 3,000 miles away takes the training wheels off. If something goes awry in the States, no matter where I am, the “Rio” parents would be on their way in a flash. Belfast is a little farther away… which has forced me to handle struggles independently and appreciate the tough days.

If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t hesitate in becoming a Victory Scholar again. I am playing the sport I love, helping inspire the next generation, receiving a master’s degree, developing life-long friendships, experiencing a new culture, and embracing the hardships that come along the way. There is no job or fellowship I could have in the United States that holds a candle to this program. Future Ulster Elks, I urge you to immerse yourself in the challenges just as much as you do the easy stuff. You’ll be glad you did.

Dundalk has been known to have a pretty good basketball history in the last couple of years. They got to the finals of their division last year where they lost to a team that was stacked with American basketball players. Garrett and I are DKIT’s first American basketball players. On top of that, DKIT moved up this year to compete in the top division of Irish university basketball this year. This has been an exciting experience for the squad but also a lot of pressure on us to do well. The best kind of pressure.  Garrett and I are the oldest and most experienced dudes on the team and our coach embraces that by allowing us to run training sessions and help out coaching. So we get to experience basketball from two perspectives, as a coach and a player. My professors have asked me about our season and a couple of them came to check out our games. We are known as the American basketball scholars. In addition, me and Garret have been featured in a couple photoshoots for the school like the one above. It’s nice to be the first victory scholars in DKIT. We get to set the tone and the Irish are very pleased to have us.

The college basketball season is a lot shorter here than in America. Each school plays five regular season games to see where each team places in the end of the year tournament. I’m used to playing at least 27 regular season games and that’s not even including the post season. However, a lot of kids who play college basketball, also play for a club.  So it balances out all together.  At DKIT, we just finished up our regular season. We went 3-2, dropping two games to some very talented teams. Our coach was more than excited with our record because this is the highest level of competition DKIK has competed at. 

Looking forward, our next match will be in April when the Varsities tournament starts. Every Irish basketball player knows and loves varsities. I heard about it 1000 times before I even knew what it was. Varsities is the annual college basketball tournament of Ireland. Every college in Ireland comes to one city to face-off in a three day basketball tournament. The city that host varsities is usually buzzing with basketball players for the weekend. This is the last event of college basketball in Ireland so everyone brings their A-game. Varsities is also known for the nightlife spirit after the games. DKIT will be ready for the Varsities tournament this year and I’m looking forward to being the first American experiencing Varsities with the squad.  

While I’ve been roaming the streets of Dublin and a couple other European cities, my attention has been caught multiple times by the street art. It seems as if most street allies that look sketchy to me, look like a canvas to some motivated artist. I’ve taken the time to walk through these allies and admire their creative abilities. Below I share some of my favorites. This is an ongoing process that I plan to add to during my stay overseas so stay tuned.

Becoming a Victory Scholar gave me the chance to make 32 new and unbelievable friends. But the 33rd scholar? Well, he’s been around for a while.

This might be old news to most of you reading this, but Johnny McCarthy and I were teammates, roommates, and best buds for 4 years at Amherst College. After our season ended abruptly on a heartbreaking buzzer beater, we both were hungry to extend our playing careers abroad. More importantly, and the reason we chose the Victory Program, is our passion for teaching the game of basketball, working with kids, and extending our education.

I remember after hearing we both were headed to Ireland as Victory Scholars, I excitedly asked John where he was stationed for the year- hoping he would be close. “Carlow”, he said: “Just south of Dublin”. Initially, I was worried it was too far from Belfast (about a 6 hour bus ride) and I wouldn’t be able to visit that often. Luckily, that hasn’t been the case. I have been down to Carlow a few times, and each has been more fun than the last. We explored around Carlow, hung out with his teammates Armand and my personal hero Kaz (if you haven’t read Johnny’s blog on Kaz, you need to… – http://sportchangeslife.com/2019/03/monday-motivation-kazuhiko-yokoyama/ ), and even took part in a IT Carlow ugly Christmas sweater get together. Johnny came up to Belfast to watch the super bowl, and we’ve explored Dublin and Cork together a few times.

There’s no doubt I would be more comfortable if Johnny was here at Ulster, and it would certainly be a blast, but we in large part came to Ireland to step out of our comfort zones and grow as people. I think every scholar would agree this experience has done that for all of us and more.

I know Johnny and others will read this and call me soft, but it’s truly been a dream come true to have him here. Some days are tougher than others. Every now and then, it’s easy to feel homesick and far away from everything that seems normal. Having a friend like John right down the road has grounded me on those not-so-easy days. Hoping we will have a few more chances to explore this island before its all over!

PS: John, if you’re reading this, don’t let it swell up your head… Ulster Elks are coming for you in the playoffs.

I have been blessed by having my mom and grandmother being amazing cooks. The majority of the time when I was in the kitchen with them, I was given small tasks like cutting, mixing, grating food. My favorite part of it was sampling some of the food while they weren’t looking.

From homemade mac and cheese, sweet potato pie to my mom’s wings or calzones, these are some dishes that I often have on my mind when I think about home. Leaving for Ireland was a whole new challenge when it came to being in the kitchen. Often times, I will call my mom for some ideas of what to eat instead of eating pasta for the third time in a week. She always comes up with things I completely forgot about and shows me how easy and effective they are.

My goal when I first got here was to get recipes from both my mom and my grandmother. When cooking with my grandmother, instead of using measuring cups or spoons, she often eyes everything. Because of this, I faced some struggles in being a new cook asking someone what to measure when they have been cooking for so many years. Even with that, measuring in itself is a task because of converting metric units to standard units.

So far I have tackled the making numerous dishes like lamb with rice and asparagus. My personal favorite was the Sunday dinner which consisted of a whole roasted chicken with potatoes, rice, and a salad on the side. I think I have done a pretty good job so far but now my new task will be baking which is a whole other beast to conquer. Wish me luck!

Basketball is something that creates families within the community. There is constant competition against other rival clubs and teams that make the game that much more exciting. Each year, there is a day called Urban Hoops that is dedicated just to the kids located all throughout Donegal. The name of the club on their kits is exchanged for a colorful t-shirt that you and your team reps for the rest of the day.

We had teams from under 12 all throughout Ballyshannon, Donegal Town, Mulroy Hoops, Sligo, and Glenties. Many of the players that participated were ones that have attended our camps or have worked at their school before. In total, we had almost 100 kids! It was such an amazing turnout!!

We ran the event at the local gym facility and organized numerous matches as well as games, like a hot seat and money basket. Us coaches even got to join in on the fun too! At the end of the day, we acknowledged some of the teams that had a great during the season. We gave out candy to different players for different accolades that the coached noticed: MVP, Defensive Player, best team player, and best team spirit.  My favorite moment of the day was when they announced the overall player of the event.

The person that they picked was Cian, who is a boy that plays for Sligo and is diagnosed with Cerebral palsy. He is such a hard-working student of the game that never misses a practice and, is a big fan of their local National League. It was great to see someone in an uplifting spirit and is always eager to play!

At the end, many of those who were terrified not to be playing with their club team created new friendships that can continue off of the court. It was great to see they all became more comfortable with one another as the day went on. Some were even sad that the day was over but, I hope that even more clubs will be apart of such a great day. Eventually, I hope that this becomes something that a community can adopt as a yearly tradition.

The "Green Giants" aka the "Green beans"

Growing up I have been very fortunate to be raised by two amazing parents and lived somewhere that I was able to enjoy being a kid. Throughout my time in primary and secondary school, no one looked like my sister and I. It was hard to have others relate and connect to me when I went to a predominately white school in a very small town.

There were many struggles in being raised in a community that has less than 5% that look like you; name-calling, bullying, and subtle discrimination. There have been times that racial slurs were even used to describe me. This was something that caused me to get thicker skin and learn to turn the other cheek instead of having them get a reaction out of me. Some of the things I didn’t always pick up on because I was so young but ultimately, that experience made me into a stronger person. As all people do, I had my insecurities. The curls that grew from my head, dark melanin, and long legs were things that I was unable to appreciate in myself because I was not surrounded by it in the classroom or with my peers.

Basketball was a major impact and changed my outlook on a lot of things. I was able to travel to many different places and met people from all over. It gave me chance to branch out and connect with others that look like me as well. Throughout college, this became something that helped me step out of my comfort zone and appreciate myself more.

Now being here in Ireland, I feel that things have finally come full circle. We are going to small secluded schools throughout Donegal and are not only learning about the sport of basketball, but they are also meeting people that do not look like them. They have never been around people of color and are intrigued to learn more about us Scholars and at the same time, it becomes a conversation piece in meeting people throughout Ireland (lol). Their perceptions of us were limited to how we are portrayed on TV and as a result, many of them are in awe when we first arrive.  The curls that grew from my head, dark melanin skin, and long legs were now things that made me that much more distinguished. All in all, I am happy to have something like the sport of basketball. It has guided and molded me into the person I am today. A little black girl from Troy, New York, would never imagine herself continue to play the sport she loves and teach the game at the same time!

My favorite part about my time here has by far been my opportunity to coach teams. I have always been involved in camps and clinics growing up, but I have never had my own teams. I am currently a co-head coach to a U12 girls team, and an assistant coach to a U14 and U18 boys team.Through my experiences with each team, I have learned so much in what it means to be a coach and how to actually coach a team.

When I first started out, I thought it was going to be easy. I’ve been playing basketball for how long? I can teach a group of little girls how to play. Wrong. I quickly realized that we spoke different languages when it came to basketball. What I knew as the paint and the elbows, they only knew as the square on the court and their corners. Beyond terminology, teaching fundamentals is hard. It took me way more tries than I’d like to admit to figure out the footwork of a left handed layup in a way that I could teach to them. I was responsible for teaching things that have become muscle memory and second nature to me and it was really hard. Watching Paddy teach these girls has taught me so much about coaching kids. He has such a way with them and the methods he uses to teach them are definitely lessons that I will carry with me throughout my years.

The girls are absolutely incredible. They show up twice a week ready to work hard and all they want to do is play basketball. Their hustle and effort are unmatched. I have seen their passing abilities and ball movement improve by a massive amount this season and I am so incredibly proud of them. The Midlands league better watch out because this group of girls is going to be a force to be reckoned with as they grow through the years. 

The U14 boys are unreal. Not only do they have some of the best handles I’ve ever seen for kids their age, but they all work so hard at getting better. They’re at an age where they all think they’re NBA players and everyone wants to be the next Steph Curry on the 3-point line. My favorite part about them though, is even at this age they still want to learn. They listen to the advice you give and want to make sure their adjustments are right. As a bonus, they’re also one of the funniest group of kids I’ve ever met. I look forward to Monday’s solely because of them and I can’t wait to hear how they develop in the coming years.

I really enjoy working with the U18 team. They have so much talent and some of the best shooting ability I’ve seen here. They’re fun to coach because, unlike the younger teams, we speak the same basketball language. I can use my most recently gained knowledge of the game of basketball instead of having to go deep into my mind to drag out the basic fundamentals. I also recently started helping at their Strength and Conditioning sessions, which I’m really enjoying. I want to coach at an older level in the future and I feel like this team is giving me a lot of great experience in being able to do so.

Coaching is easily my favorite and most challenging part of being a Victory Scholar. I’m learning to see the game of basketball from a new perspective. At the end, I hope I’m able to collect all the knowledge I’ve gained and use it to enhance my ability as a basketball coach.

Moving to a new country undoubtedly has its challenges. The grocery stores are filled with completely different items, I do not have my car so transportation is more difficult, and you do not have the same support network as you do back home. Sometimes it really does feel like you are all on your own. Times like these are when I feel so lucky to have the roommates that I do, the other scholars all over the country, and of course endless amounts of love back home.

For me this year has all been about growth. Growing as a student, growing as a player, growing as a coach, but above all else growing as a person. When faced with a challenge in this new country, the only choice I have is to face it head on and figure out a way to overcome that obstacle. Figure out the bus schedule. Find out the new brands of food that suit your fancy. But above all else I have learned to be someone others can depend on. Knowing firsthand how difficult this experience can be at times has opened my eyes to how impactful I can be. I know that if I am going through a struggle, there are 33 other scholars over here going through the same struggle. It has taught me how impactful I can be as a supporter to the other scholars.

While there have been some low moments, this experience is still one that I will never forget. The people I have met and connections I have made will last I lifetime. I am blessed to have a support network on both sides of the Atlantic.

Here at Ulster, we are able to take part in more community engagement opportunities than another other Victory Scholar location. Sport Changes Life (SCL) headquarters is about 10 minutes away from campus, which allows us to conveniently organize weekly sports sessions in and around Belfast. I wanted to say a little about each group, in hopes that it can shed light on what future Ulster Scholars will be taking part in.

The SCL foundation has been so successful in large part to its tight knit, hard working staff. Every employee has a unique skill set and plays a critical role. Colin (Mac) is in charge of leading most community engagement events. Tuesday through Friday, Mac makes his way to campus and grabs a couple scholars for the day.

Tuesday afternoons, we head to the “Blackmountain” men’s club (men aged 20-30 years old) to play some FIFA, checkers, pool, and 5-5 soccer. I think it’s been a solid four months since we’ve started at Blackmountain, and I have yet to win at anything. But, I do get nutmegged less than 4 times a game- something I couldn’t say at the start. Slow and steady!

On Wednesdays and Fridays, Mac and a few scholars head into local assisted living facilities for some Boccia. If you read my last blog titled “Boccia with Sammy”, you know these trips are particularly special to me. Most times, Mac splits the residents into two teams, with one scholar on each side. Usually we play 5-6 separate games, each one worth a single point. The team with the most points at the end of the session is deemed the winner.

Lastly, Thursdays we head to the local recreational center for some pickle ball (for those who don’t know, pickle ball is kind of like tennis with smaller rackets. Of all our groups, I would say the Thursday pickle ball session is the most competitive. Mac starts the session with some light stretching and warmup games, then pairs us up for some mixed doubles. Then finally, we end the session with a heated game of 2-2. Last week, Mark (one of the Golf Victory Scholars) and I were paired up against Gary and Joe- two of the very best pickleballers around. We were down 10-6 and somehow managed to come back and win 12-10. Needless to say, there is a target on our backs next Thursday.

Regardless of the group or the type of session, whether its coaching basketball or playing a video game, participating in competition has allowed us as Scholars to develop close friendships with people in such a short amount of time. They provide an avenue for communication- a way to break down barriers and develop trust. I will go home with friends from all ages and backgrounds halfway around the world. That’s pretty cool if you ask me.

Unfortunately, the YCP men’s basketball 2018-2019 season has come to an end in the second round of the DIII National Tournament. They played unbelievably all year long and should be proud of the season they had. York proved a lot of skeptics and doubters wrong this year. My coach, coach Hunter, has done wonders with the basketball program over the past few years.

Coach Hunter took the head coaching job 7 years ago and completely rebuilt the program from the ground up. My freshman year we struggled a lot, mainly due to youth and inexperience. But over the course of my career we progressed into a nationally ranked program. At our peak, we were ranked 4th in the country for DIII. My senior year, we won our regular season conference championship as well as our conference tournament championship. We had also made it to the second round of the national tournament, unfortunately losing a nail-bitter at the end. Even with the departure of three 1000 point scorers, York had another groundbreaking year.

This success can be attributed to the identity our program has adopted. What it means to be a Spartan goes way beyond the basketball court. Coach Hunter helped shape and instill so many great qualities in every player that has gone through the program.

To be a Spartan, you must have a strong character on and off the court. You must sacrifice for the greater good and always be a good teammate. You must have passion and enthusiasm in everything you do. A Spartan is fully committed and gives the maximum amount of effort possible. A Spartan is an energy maker, not an energy taker. You must hold yourself and your teammates accountable on and off the court. Finally, a Spartan MUST be able to shoot the three!!

These qualities are something I take strong pride in. And if you’ve ever seen me play basketball you know all I do is shoot threes. In all seriousness, the York college men’s basketball team and basketball in general has helped shape my character and made me into the person I am today. Basketball has taught me so much and I am forever grateful for this amazing game. I will always be a York College Spartan and will always apply the Spartan qualities in everything that I do.

This past week, two of my best friends from elementary school came to visit me in Ireland. I have been extremely lucky with the amount of visitors I’ve had during my time here. My girlfriend was able to come over in November, my mom and sister came over in December. I had some friends come over in early January and I have more friends here now.

Seeing familiar faces from home makes life 3,000 miles away much easier. It gives me a lot to look forward to whenever I get homesick. I’ve always had a close group of friends and I’m very close with my family. So leaving for a whole year has been a lot harder than expected.

I love being able to show my friends and family around Ireland. I’ve gotten to experience so much here and it’s so nice being able to share these experiences with them. I’ve been to the Cliffs of Moher multiple times, Galway, Dublin, and most recently Northern Ireland with my friends and family. We’ve experienced so much and seen so many cool places. We’ve done the Guinness Factory tour, the Jameson Distillery tour, and an all day Game of Thrones tour! Everyone always tells me how jealous they are that I’m living here in Ireland! I can understand why, its great here!

Looking back, accepting the Victory Scholarship and moving to Ireland for 10 months has been one of the best decisions in my life. I have been able to experience so much and more importantly grow individually. Of course I miss my family and friends a lot but this really is a once in a lifetime opportunity that not many people get to experience. I cannot wait to make more memories and continue to experience as much as possible!

My time over here in Ireland has flown by. I really only have about 3 months left, which is absolutely crazy to think about! I have enjoyed every second of it and couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity with an even better organization! This blog is dedicated to what’s next for me as I return to the States.

Upon graduation in May 2018 I was fortunate enough to have already accepted a job offer with The Vanguard Group. I accepted it before I knew I got into the Victory Scholarship program. Initially, I was nervous about telling my recruiter at Vanguard that I wouldn’t be able to start because of the scholarship. I just wasn’t sure how she would react and really didn’t want to burn any bridges.

After I received official word about the Victory Scholarship, I made the call to my recruiter. I knew if I got in that I was definitely going to Ireland. It was a no-brainer; getting the chance to continue my education, basketball career as well as make an impact oversees, who wouldn’t take that? Pleasantly, to my surprise, my recruiter took it extremely well. She told me how exciting the program sounded and said she would see if she could just defer my offer!! I couldn’t believe it, it was the absolute best case scenario. Then, the next day she emailed me with the news that they were deferring my offer until 2019. After reading that email, I was more excited than a kid in a candy store.

The Vanguard Group is an investment management company headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Vanguard currently has over $5 trillion in AUM, which makes it one of the worlds largest investment management companies. My favorite aspect about Vanguard is its sincere and dedicated commitment to its clients. Vanguard’s core purpose is to “take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success”.

I feel very fortunate to begin my professional career with such a great company. I will be starting off as an associate in the client services and operations department. I’ll mainly be working with new and existing clients to manage their portfolios, execute trades and provide investment guidance as I study for my Series 7 & 63 exams. It’ll be another way to help people, just in a different capacity than what I’m  doing here in Ireland!

In conclusion, I am still going to take full advantage of every last second over here in Ireland. However, it’s nice to be able to glance ahead and be excited about the next chapter in my life!

For my National League team we play our first 18 games in the northern conference and the last 8 in the southern conference. Now that we are in the southern part of the season, we’re regularly making car trips as long as 6-7 hours if you include food breaks and even nap breaks. In college I took for the granted the fact that we would stay in a hotel the night before games after long commutes. I underestimated the advantages of riding on a bus that was spacious enough for us to be able to enjoy our personal space or get up to stretch our legs. Here, the process is slightly different. We squeeze 5 grown men of all different shapes in and sizes into a car with our bags and some basketballs in our laps. It’s a cozy journey, and you quickly learn how loud your teammates snore and just how bad they smell after games (The car below is the infamous vehicle). Also, instead of staying over the night before, we make the drive the morning of the game and stay over that night. Although that makes it a little more challenging to warm up before the game, the plus side is that no matter the outcome, were able to experience the night – life of places like Galway, Belfast Dublin and Cork. As a result, the trips have helped me gain a fuller scope of Ireland and even though the car rides can be tight, I’ve actually started to enjoy them.

The car ride conversations consist of anything and everything. When you’re hip to hip for that long with a bunch of Irish players it helps you get a full grasp of Irish culture. My teammates are absolute clowns and they spend a lot of the time trash talking each other so I spent most of time cracking up. What’s said in the car stays in the car or as my coach would say in his absurd Derry accent, “What happens in the cuhyaar stays in the cuhyaar.” Therefore I can’t discuss everything that is said but we usually talk basketball, recount whatever goofy thing happened the night prior and I’ve also heard a lot about their backgrounds and their occupations.

The choice of music for during the journey is…interesting. No matter what the situation their first choice on the aux is going to be fist-pumping club music. It’s rapid beats with no lyrics and it builds up until the base drops. It makes some people want to jump around and dance but to me it just sounded like straight -up repetitive garbage! At first, I would try to blast my headphones to drown it out while others in the car would go crazy as they pumped their fists’ and convulsed their bodies to songs that felt like they were never-ending. As the year has gone on however, I am surprised to say that I found a select few that I can nod my head too. We also were able to find some common ground with some Motown classics and 90’s hip-hop along the way.

Aside from the dubstep music, they also have showed me a few Irish anthems that are about struggle and finding peace. One of the songs that they all sing along too is called “Grace” which is about a man who was killed during the clash known as the “Troubles” that occurred in Northern Ireland in the late 1960’s. It led us to a conversation comparing civil rights African Americans and Irish Catholics and how the two were subject to similar structural disadvantages. Long story short, Ireland was split in two after people living there went to war against their British rulers. The south became a separate state now called the Republic of Ireland the north was left divided into two sides. One side was majority catholic and sought to have a united independent Ireland while the other side was majority protestant and felt Ireland should remain a part of the UK. The photos of the street art were taken in Northern Ireland and they reflect the extent of the conflict and the level of animosity during those times.

The majority of my teammates are Catholics from Derry Ireland which is the heart of where the troubles took place. According to them, the protestants held most of the wealth and power and continuously discriminated against Catholics. This included inequalities in terms of political power and representation, denial of access to good jobs and land, and limited resources in terms healthcare and education. They also stressed how during the “troubles” police brutality was rampant and often occurred without any type of accountability from the government. This was fascinating me because their movement to fight for civil rights occurred in the same time period as ours did and they were also fighting for extremely similar reasons. Issues of poverty, forced segregation, inferior resources in healthcare and education, voter suppression and a bias criminal justice system are all issues that African- Americans face then and now. The conversation was eye- opening and I never would have thought that black people over the past 50 years would have shared a common struggle with northern Irish residents. Everything down to the acts of civil disobedience, riots, and protest songs that began during the troubles resembled the same type of steps that African-Americans took during the Jim Crow era.

Our conversations in the car aren’t always that insightful but that one in particular helped me gain some perspective. You never know what you might learn about the world around you unless you associate with a variety of people and have dialogue that isn’t always the easiest to have. The car rides symbolize the idea that it is the journey, not the destination that matters. They may be physically uncomfortable at times but ultimately, we spent a huge chunk of our time here traveling from one place to another. From my experience so far, the car has been the place where I’ve spent the most time enjoying countless views, laughing with teammates and even learning a thing or two. Ironically, the jam-packed road trips are an opportunity to optimize every moment and embrace the challenge of living within a new culture. Even as I write this blog now, I am sitting in car with barely any leg room while my coach is blasting a song called “Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat”, but it in the grand scheme of the things, there’s no place I’d rather be.

One of my closest friends I made during my time in college came to visit me in Ireland! It was perfect timing for her to be there because it gave me a break from my regular routine that I have in Letterkenny. She is someone that will be willing to try strange foods with me and can get me out of my comfort zone at times.

She was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, and had quite a long journey to get to me. She traveled for over a day as her connected flight was delayed (she doe not have the best luck…) and was relieved to see a familiar face after not seeing her since graduation.

While I felt bad that I could not take days off during her visit because school, coaching, and practice, she understood and made the most out of her trip! She wanted to explore a bit of Letterkenny and visited the local chapel. We then visited the Glenveagh National Park and saw the most majestic castle that overlooked at the lake. It was something out of a movie, having never seen or been in one before.

The next day, we spent a full day in Derry and was able to learn about the rich history that still lies within the walls to this day. We walled the whole wall, the Peace Bridge, and even saw all of the painted murals throughout the town.

We also made our way all the way to Dublin and was able to be the full-blown tourist I did not have time to do yet.  After my basketball game that Saturday, she and I stayed overnight and went to a local pub. The next day, we were booked with so many things she wanted to see. With the luck of my fellow Scholars at Trinity, we were able to see the Book of Kells, checked out the Jameson Whiskey Factory tour, got lost for a bit and had a traditional Sunday dinner before her flight home. Mallory visiting is some of the best memories that I had thus far! I can not wait to see what our next adventure will bring!

By now I have (barely) conquered the first month of living in Ireland but honestly, it turned out a lot better than you could expect. While Letterkenny is the polar opposite of what you experience at home, I hope it has done some good to you! Traveling and exploring places on your bucket list is something that I really hope you were able to achieve…if not, it is a better reason for you to come back! When starting the program and meeting 32 amazing people from all over the states, you never would have thought you would have made a bond with so many people so quickly, and becoming close with them is something that I hope is still relevant once you are home. I know somehow at least one of these people will make a mark on your life. Even more so, I hope that Sport Changes Life as a whole made a difference in who you are and gained an experience that you will never forget!  

What I Hope For the Future…

I hope that during your time here, it has been spent with endless laughing, smiling and memories.

I hope that you will have people in your life from this program that you can truly call friends maybe even family.

I hope that you take time to taste different foods, meet new people and take advantage of exploring this amazing land around you as often as you can.

I hope that you gained some Irish culture that you will take back to the states.

I hope that you were able to make a difference in the people that you coached or played with and instilled your love of basketball onto them.

I can’t wait for the future self can read this and fulfill everything that I hope to achieve out of this Sport Changes Life Program

When coming to Ireland, there was little that I knew about the country. As October rolls near you begin to notice how popular Halloween is around this area. Letterkenny is only 20 minutes from Derry and is known to having the largest Halloween Parade in the world! Halloween originated in Ireland, so it is only right that they begin to celebrate weeks before the 31st with endless fairs, parades, tours, and attractions. We were able to all dress up for the night and catch the end of the parade as well as some fireworks that lit up the night sky. The streets were flooded with nearly every person in a costume and in full spirit. Some people invest a lot of time and money to have the perfect costume for this special night!

Between the 31st and the next day. We spent time exploring the cobbled streets and rich history within Derry. Walked along the historic walls surrounding the city. We were even lucky enough to have a sunny day with little to no rain! (highly uncommon) We went across the Peace Bridge which was built to symbolize the unity within the community after many years of dispute. It was a great unplanned trip that was made this year’s Halloween one to remember.

One of my earliest memories as an athlete occurred when I was playing 2^ndgrade basketball in a small gym near my house in Cleveland. Along with my parents, my grandparents we’re attendance. My recollection isn’t completely clear, but I know that it was a pretty close game when I caught an in-bounds pass. I immediately ran up the court full speed and instead of taking a lay-up, something gave me the audacity to take a pull-up 3 pointer. It was the longest shot attempt of my career at that time and it was a relatively clutch situation. I drained the shot, held my follow through, and skipped down the court like I was the man! My granny stood up and shouted, “WOOOO GO SPENCER!”, as she jumped up and down and pumped her fist. It wasn’t long before I saw the look on the face of my coach that I realized that I made the shot on the other team’s basket. We went on to lose the game by single digits, but I don’t recall feeling that bad after the fact. It was clear that my granny was still proud of me and she was still celebrating even though I basically scored negative 3 points that day. That moment summed up how it went for the rest of my career; no matter what sport I was playing or how good or bad I played, I always had family there for me cheering me on.

From that point on the Williams family always showed out at every event. They take showing love to a whole new level and there’s never a doubt who my family members are at my games. They are typically the loudest in the vicinity and they probably wearing matching colors as whatever team I’m on. My family is the type that will shout, “WOO! That’s my baby grandson!” at a graduation even after they’ve clearly been asked to hold their applause. Growing up, immediate friends and family would show up in bunches to my games and they would adamantly encourage me no matter what the outcome. I’ve had aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, all witness when I played like absolute trash and when I had my shining moments…but ultimately, they were always there for me.

Since middle school, after every game I could expect 10-20 people at my house offering advice and hot takes on whatever game I played that day. In college I had car loads of family and friends traveling over an hour to my games or if they couldn’t make it, there was always watch parties back home. I’ve had countless moments on the court that I wish I could have back but knowing that there were so many people that were proud of me allowed for me to keep my head up and keep going. I didn’t just have a parent or two supporting me, I had a whole village of people who had my back and they are the reason I am lucky enough to be in the position that I am in. My family has always been unapologetically supportive and that is why I am proud of where I am from and I aspire to represent them to the best of my ability. So, shout out to the Williams gang back home!

The two leaders of my Cleveland fan squad are my two parents. They both have different ways of showing it but ultimately, they both want me to succeed probably more than they want their own success. Both of them are incredible role models and both of them have gone out of their way since I picked up basketball to make sure that I am in a position to thrive. My dad is one that is probably my biggest critic and my biggest fan. Since grade school basketball he’s been the loudest one in the gym and shout things on the court like “Stop feeling sorry for yourself!” and “Be mentally tough!” It seemed harsh at the time but in hindsight, he was typically right and even then he was always the main one crying like a baby when I did reach success. He’s known for keeping it real so when he says he proud than I know it’s the truth.

* Side note: In the above photograph, the man on the far left isn’t my dad or my uncle, he’s my brother and he’s only two years older than me but people tend to see the bald head and get confused. The lovely lady in the middle with the gold and black headband is my mom. The women to the right of her is my granny who was shouting at my 2nd grade game. The man on the right wearing gold is my dad. All others pictured are a mixture of grandparents, uncles and family friends.

My mom is my inspiration.  She always puts others before herself anyway but growing up she would jump through hoops getting me to games, practice, and training sessions no matter how far or what time it was. Whenever I failed, she is the first person to pick me up and urge me to keep going. She pushes me to become better all the time and more importantly, she made sure I was healed and extremely well fed before and after every event. In my college hoops days she would always send a quick message that ended with “You got this!”…even when I wasn’t sure if I did. Her belief in me is off the charts and I most definitely would not be where I am today without her. So, between the two of them it was nice balanced dynamic that helped me embrace the importance of staying humble enough to be accountable, and resilient enough to remain confident through the tough times.

I say all of this to say that I know how much my family’s love and guidance have shaped me and helped me reach my goals. I know most kids don’t have half the amount of support I had and therefore, they might have missed out on all the benefits that it can bring. That is why my role as a Victory Scholar is so crucial. It gives us the opportunity to give back to the game that has given us all so much. It puts me in a position to pass on the lessons and assets that my family has instilled in me through the years. It allows us the opportunity to be that inspiration and guiding force that some of the youth here might be lacking. We can’t necessarily do things like drive them to practice but I know from experience that knowing that somebody has your back and is rooting for you can go a long way. My family has made an undeniable difference on my life and I’m glad Sport Changes Life has enabled me to do the same across the pond.

Time has been flying by since I have been in Ireland! It honestly feels like just yesterday my parents and I were driving to New York to go to the Launch! But now it is March and there is so much that I want to do that I have not done yet! Things have been sooo busy with basketball and school so traveling has been the last thing on my mind! But I do know before I leave this country I need to see a lot more of it and maybe even travel out side the country to see a little more of Europe!

Since I have been in Ireland I have only really been to Galway, Dublin, Belfast, and Athlone! I really would like to travel to Cork and Kilkenny, as well! With time I know this will happen but it is beginning to stress me out that I have not gone yet! I also know there are a lot of touristy things I still want to go do! Especially the Cliffs! I have loved seeing the places I have been and I also want to go back to Dublin, Galway, and Belfast. They are all pretty big so I would love to get to know the areas a weeee bit better.

Somewhere I have dreamed of going since I was a kid is Spain. And it;s honestly so convenient because I have two friends playing professional ball there right now! So a goal of mine is to go visit them so I can have time to go visit a country I have always dreamed of seeing. Another place I really want to go to is Amsterdam. It seems like such a cool place to go! I do not really know much about it but I do know that I think I would have a blast there!

I really really really want to make sure that I go a travel and see more of this country before I go because I do not know when I will be able to come back! It is such a beautiful place and I have seen so many of the other scholars do tours and I really need to make sure that I do the same!