On Monday, February 22, Coach Vicki Andruszkiewicz along with five of SUNY Delhi’s women athletes attended the 11th Annual Celebrating Women’s Athletics luncheon held at the Binghamton University Events Center. Keynote speaker for the event was Olympic gold medalist Amy Van Dyken-Rouen.
Read more about this inspiring event.
Following this event, the ladies were kind enough to share their thoughts on the day.
From the wise words of Amy Van Dyken, “Who are you to tell me what I can and can’t do,” I truly believe this statement holds true for everyone. Playing sports is about passion and dedication; if you play a sport that makes you happy who gives a person the right to tell you, you shouldn’t play? Sports, more specifically volleyball and softball, have been a part of my life since I was about five years old. I love the feeling of getting onto the court or field and playing for my team with friends by my side. With my teammates, parents, and coaches supporting me through my journey I have spread my wings and have changed immensely. I am so lucky to have an amazing support system and amazing coaches that have been through my ups and downs with me. Because of these people and my love for sports, I am happy with the teammate and person I’ve become. I can honestly say I am now ready for any obstacles that stand in my way.
-Julia Bretts (Volleyball, Softball)
Having the opportunity to attend events like the Women's Athletics Luncheon, held at Binghamton University, really allow me to reflect on how big of an impact participating in sports teams has had on my personality, character and well-being growing up. All throughout high school, I played sports all year-round ranging from soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, to cross country and track and field. Participation in athletics has instilled a strong desire in me to not only always be on the move, but to carry with me the self-motivation and drive that it takes to make it up and over that steep hill, block that last point, or kick until you think you can't kick any harder through every facet of life. I picked up swimming in college to try something new and I've enjoyed every road trip, race and lap in between. Something that I took away from our speaker, Amy Van Dyken, today is that you can't lead your life with a negative outlook. You have to take what skill or ability you've got, own it, and run with it! At the end of the day, no one wants to hear about what you could have done. Additionally, Amy reinforced for me that you can't let anyone stand in the way of your success. Be your own person and know what you are capable of- anything. Always push your limits. Thank you to SUNY Delhi for all of the athletic opportunities I've had here in the past two years.
-Samantha Travis (Swimming & Diving)
I don't think words can describe how much being a female college athlete means to me. As a little girl I never was able to have the opportunity to play sports so once I was finally able to play I never wanted to stop. Since seventh grade sports lite a fire inside of me which changed my life. Being a college athlete is my biggest stress reliever and has showed me to keep pushing to be better. Going to the Luncheon really showed me that hard work and determination can really bring an individual far. Amy Van Dyken showed that even when someone tells you that you can't do something to prove them wrong and achieve greatness.
-Samantha St. Denis (Soccer, Basketball, Track, Softball)
Growing up in a family where we were known for our athleticism pushed me into playing sports. But that one sport I was drawn to was basketball. Being a female playing basketball, men were always making comments throughout my career on how slow women play the game and that men play it better. Going to the Binghamton University Women’s Athletics Luncheon was a great opportunity to listen to former Olympic swimming champion, Amy Van Dyken. She reminded myself and many other female athletes that no one can tell what you can and cannot do. Prove to those around you that you are the best that you can be and there is no one that can stop you. Most importantly, prove to yourself that you can do anything that you want to achieve and make yourself happy before others.
-Cayla Heffern (Basketball)
For as long as I can remember I have been playing sports. Soccer was the one sport that I was most passionate about. Part of it came naturally to me but that never meant easy work. Being on a team is a gift within itself. You meet strangers that become teammates that become friends, and then become family. High school was first where most people heard the term “student athlete”. Student first then athlete. There were people who wanted to play, but if they didn’t have the grades then they couldn’t. Being a student athlete changed in college. There was no one there to remind me that school was always to come first. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up, playing the game you love, and you forget about other important things. College sports have taught me my priorities, time management, to not let my grades fall, and to not let my teammates down. Being able to say that I was once a Cambridge Indian, and then a SUNY Delhi Bronco, is something that I will always take pride in. I got to work hard for my coach and team, but also myself. Injuries, sweat, stress, exhaustion, are all things that an athlete takes on; but we also get to take the memories with us. Memories that will make you smile and appreciate life. Since I will be graduating from college this spring, I won’t be able to play soccer or run track on a team again. Some might think that once the sports are over so is everything else. The women’s athletic luncheon at the University of Binghamton, I learned that there is a lot more then sports to complete a person’s life.
Amy Van Dyken is an Olympic gold medalist for women’s swimming. If anyone ever got the privilege of listening to her speech like I did, then they would understand so much more about sports and how even if it comes to an end, there is a whole life ahead of us. Amy was a competitor and she made it to the Olympics for swimming which already says something amazing about her. She got in an accident where she severed her spinal cord that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Ever since then she has been working towards being able to walk again. Listening to her talk about how she chooses to be happy and live life every day with a smile on her face, because she almost didn’t have a chance to be here, shows that sports are just a stepping stone to the rest of your life. For some sports can take you as far as high school, college, maybe even the Olympics. That road will end eventually whether you choose to have it end or something gets in the way. This experience personally has made me realize that living in the moment should always come first. Sports have been a great part of my life, and life I said I will carry those memories with me forever. Now I get to journey off into the world of criminal justice and start a new chapter there.
-Kelsey Lawlor (Soccer, Track)
