To The Next #8,
My days of playing field hockey at Cornell have ended, but I know that in my heart I will always be a Cornell field hockey player. One thing that is evident to myself and all my teammates is that our alumni never truly leave our program. They continue to support us both on and off the field as a part of our expansive Big Red field hockey family. Because of their involvement, I feel a true connection with women who played field hockey at Cornell before I was even born.
When I was named captain, a pair of former Big Red captains – Alex Botte ’12 and Taylor Standiford ’16 – both sent me letters emphasizing that being a leader is about empowering others. I’ve been thinking a lot about those letters and it’s made me consider what I would write to the next woman to wear my jersey. As I reflect on everything I’ve learned from my experience in athletics, I wanted to share with you some of the lessons that have helped me as a teammate.
Be Mindful You are going to be on a team with women of different backgrounds for the next four years. Building relationships with everyone helps to maintain team accountability. Being mindful about how people work, why they play, and how you can push them is the key for a healthy team culture.
Are You Making the Boat Go Faster? A Big Red coach once said to me that sometimes you can have people on a team that are “just good enough to help the team lose.” Being on a large Division 1 team means you’re protected in numbers, but it also means you can impact a large group of people. Before I came to Cornell, I thought I could only contribute to the team by playing, and playing well, but that’s not true. Sometimes attitude can be stronger than actions. Find out what your strengths are and how you can bring them to the team and make that your competitive advantage. Figure out how to light your own fire, and use it to push yourself and your teammates every day. Embrace being comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Remember Why You Play Ivy League teams don’t give out athletic scholarships, so your dedication and effort is in your control. If you are choosing to be here then make it count. Having defined individual and team goals will push you and your team during tough off-season workouts. I’ve had summers where I’ve worked out at 10 p.m. after a 16-hour work day. But the pride of being a part of CUFH, with the expectations of making fitness standards in the fall, has helped me to develop mental toughness and relentlessness.
It’s Not All About the #IvyRing It doesn’t define you as a team or as an athlete if you never win a championship. It should not undermine your workouts, experiences or the time you put in. This is a goal my team never achieved. It would have been sweet, but I don’t regret giving it my all.
Give Back It’s easy to get absorbed by the ‘athlete bubble,’ but it’s important to remember you’re in a fantastic position to impact others. Invest in the people around you through mentorship – whether it be academics, through sports, or life after university. Every season our team hosts a charity game, and participates in Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family program in Ithaca. Organizing and being a part of these events are some of my favorite memories at Cornell.
Use Your Network Yes, I am a business major. Remember your teammates are some of the most intelligent, athletic people on the planet. It was through my teammates and our alumni that I received the internship offers that led to my full time job. But I also recommend joining as many clubs as you can to meet some great people who can give you perspective outside of athletics. Off the field, your alumni, coaches, classmates, and teammates are amazing resources.
You Are Your Integrity You’re going to have good days and bad days. Days you’re sick or get injured. Days you hardly slept and have really tough exams. But if there’s one value you should maintain, it’s your integrity. Be on time; do every rep of every set; hit every the line; be proactive about injuries; respect others. It builds trust, you learn accountability, and it’s the one thing you cannot afford to lose over your four years. You are in a position to strengthen these values and it will pay off tremendously for the rest of your life.
Team Team Red,
Sam McILwrick
The Last #8