As my final days of being a Lady Flame quickly approach, it’s hard not to reflect on my time here at Liberty. A lot has happened throughout my four years here and I can honestly say I have learned and grown so much during this time.
Having been through the program start to (almost) finish, there are a couple things I think everyone should know before they join this Liberty family…
- Coach Green can be a man of very few words (unless talking about fishing, hunting, or Jesus), so listen when he speaks. He is full of wisdom that goes beyond just basketball. He cares for his players like daughters and truly wants to see us succeed not only in basketball, but also in life. There may be times when his southern accent is too thick, his metaphor is too deep, or his story is too long to understand, but in those times trust that what he is saying is for your betterment because he really does care about you.
- Be prepared to spend more time with your team than away from them. These girls will become your family. You will eat, sleep, travel, study, practice, play, and basically do everything with them. Of course, there will be days when you need a break from everyone, but any more than a day or two and you might start feeling like a part of you is missing. Undoubtedly, you will make friendships that will last a lifetime. There’s something about a bond over literal blood, sweat, and tears that runs deeper than most other relationships out there. Embrace it, and enjoy getting to know all the girls on the team, because each one is there for a reason. Each one has a story. Each one is beautiful in her own way. Each one is a critical piece to the puzzle that when put together makes an amazing, God-orchestrated picture.
- It won’t be easy, but it’s worth it. College can be difficult, and it can be even more difficult as a college athlete. However, it is an incredible opportunity that not many get the chance to have, so take advantage of it. There will be days that are stressful, when classes get tough, practices get hard, and your body gets tired; but there will also be days that are great, when you ace an exam that you studied so hard for, you win a game against a team you weren’t supposed to beat, and you get cleared to return to play after being out for far too long. Those are the days that make it worth it. The rough days are the ones that make the sweet days even sweeter. Pushing through the hard times helps you learn to appreciate the blessings in life.
- God is going to take you on a crazy journey, just sit back and enjoy the ride. I hate to break it to you, but things will most likely not go as you envision them going. There will probably be hardships and setbacks, but there will also be great victories and triumphs that exceed all your expectations. If there is one thing that I have learned more than anything else over these last 4 years, it’s that God’s plans are far better than any of mine. When things don’t go as planned, don’t panic. You might not understand, but you don’t have to. All you have to do is trust in Him. God has the wheel and He’s taking you on a trip somewhere better than you could ever imagine.
- Lastly, once a flame, always a flame. You will be involved is something that is much bigger than yourself. Once you enter this family, it will always be a part of you. The people met, the memories made, the lessons learned will shape the rest of your life. So be prepared to be changed forever.
-Audrey Rettstatt #12
