How I’ve been impacted by sports
Sports have always been a passion of mine that brings me joy in many different ways. Playing sports and making many friendships with people throughout the years is always something I’ll look back on and be happy that I did in high school. Similarly, watching sports always bring me joy whenever my favorite teams get a big win or even win a championship. As much as I’ve loved to play and watch sports, writing about sports in high school has made me realize it’s something I want to have a career in.
One thing I’ve noticed in high school is how people have fallen in love to play multiple sports. I’m quite the opposite and have had fun in playing just one sport—basketball. As much as I love the game of basketball, my favorite part of the sport is the team aspect of it. I’ve always found making friends my favorite part of playing basketball, and I’ve seen it in the truest form here at FHC. Playing varsity basketball the last two years, I’ve met some of my closest friends. For example, in my junior year, senior Tom Tomsheck suggested the idea of trying to get a bench warning every game for celebrating too hard on the sideline. I absolutely fell in love with the idea and wanted to continue this throughout the whole year. We would do the same thing my senior year with some more of my good friends, and it really brought us together as a team. Having a role as the “bench celebration guy” was the best role I could ever ask for and I’m thankful for everything that occurred to make it happen.
Watching sports has also given me a sense of joy as well. I will always remember watching my hometown Golden State Warriors defeat LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the 2015 NBA Finals. I didn’t get too much sleep that night from just thinking of the fact that my favorite team that I’ve grown up watching was at the top of the NBA. But it’s not just me, as I’ve seen other people feel the same way. For example, my dad and I were watching the final moments of the Indiana Hoosiers taking on the #1 ranked Kentucky Wildcats in Bloomington on our TV. Then, with time running out, Christian Watford of IU hit a game-winning three-pointer to give the Hoosiers a one-point victory and send Assembly Hall, and my dad, into a frenzy. Seeing the huge grin on his face as his alma mater pulled off a monumental upset put a big smile on my face. Moments like these make me not only a proud fan of my teams but a proud fan of sports as well.
In high school, I’ve developed a passion for writing about sports and covering different sports teams. Mr. George interested me in the idea of writing for the FHC Sports Report when I was a new student my sophomore year, and I’m thankful to this day for the opportunity. I have loved every aspect of the FHC Sports Report from the first day I walked into class. I loved getting to know many of my good friends throughout the years on staff. Whether it be making podcasts and speaking our mind or recapping a sports event, the Sports Report allows me to pursue my passion for sports journalism. I’ve contributed to the FHC community by being an editor on staff this year.
I’m more than excited to continue working with sports in the future. I can’t wait to see what kind of opportunities Indiana University will offer me next year. Working in sports media for a Big Ten school has been a dream of mine since middle school, and I’m ready to keep working towards that goal. I’m thankful for what sports have given me in my life so far, and I can’t wait to see what it does in the next steps of my life.