The Beautiful Game

When I was younger, all I wanted to do was play soccer for the rest of my life (preferably for the always-number-one University of North Carolina Lady Tarheels). I loved every aspect of the game, from the brutal physicality and requirements that I be in peak fitness form, to the rainy games where slidetackling became an art form. Running around on a grass field, making beautiful plays was all I ever desired in life, until I got realistic.

I have never been a number one athlete. While I am fairly athletic and can run for long periods of time, I am no Mia Hamm or Julie Foudy, try as I might. I aspired to be them on countless occassions, but my decision-making delays hindered my abilities. I was constantly getting yelled at for taking too many touches, or holding the ball too long. But such is life, you learn to prioritize, and so I did. While I loved playing soccer and did so from the ages of 3 to 19 (on organized, school/club teams), I knew it was not the end-all, be-all to my existence. But I still played pick-up games with friends whenever I could, going so far as to participate in an amateur adult age league for a season. But when I got to college and joined a sorority, I realized my talents could be used in Greek Life, and in intramurals in particular.

Intramural soccer at UK for greeks and for the campus in general is fast approaching. We practiced already and I realized then how time had flown, and had changed my body. I am not nearly as fast as I used to be, and my stamina is not the best, but it's still my favorite game, and probably always will be. The excitement of playing intramural sports is not lost on anyone, and it gives us college kids the chance to relive the glory days of our youthful high school selves, where we could run forever without tiring, where our muscles helped us, instead of hindering, and we would spill blood for our respective teams.

Intramurals are a much more laidback version of the sports we are used to, more as a way to play the game you love without any pressure, and that is something that I am sure all of us former high school athletes can agree with. While we may not feel as great as we used to, it is still just as fun as it ever was. Hopefully next week when I step onto that field I won't embarass myself too much, though I can proudly say I will attempt get as many grass stains and bruises as I can, knowing full well that as my last year in college, this is my last chance for intramural soccer.

Many of my guy friends from high school who played football at all boys Catholic schools were practicing their plays next to us as we were kicking around, and I am sure they were feeling the same emotions as me. They too were remembering the stadium, the fans, the Friday nights, and the sweat and tears. It is interesting to watch, because I know exactly what they are thinking and feeling as they complete a pass, or run a short route. They are glad to be out on the field, playing the game they love. As we start intramurals, and I am sure I will participate in others as well besides soccer, I will keep you updated on my status. Hopefully I won't return to the blog with broken fingers or  black eye, though if I do I will know I gave it my all.