by Chanara Greene – Monday, February 18, 2013
In 8th grade I dreamed about playing basketball at the collegiate level. It was a dream, but looking back I realize that I didn't truly believe it would ever be a reality. I continued playing basketball three out of four years in high school and when I graduated I had every intent of focusing solely on academics. I followed this plan during my first year at Northwest. Of course, having engaged in athletics before, I still held a place for it in my heart. Whenever there was an athletic event on campus, my friends and I found ourselves in the crowd. When basketball season rolled around, we would eat dinner in the caf right at 5:00, and be in the gym at 5:30 to catch the tip-off for the women's basketball game. We reminisced on the days we use to spend hours practicing, waking up early on weekends to travel to tournaments, as well as our time at state in the Tacoma Dome. We missed basketball and wanted to play again.
After their season ended, two of my friends and myself tried out for the team! Thanks to prayers, potential and the grace of God we all made the team. These friends of mine have been my basketball teammates since 8th grade, and we now attended NU together, and were going to continue being teammates!
During the summer we worked hard to prepare for the season. We had three or more games a week, and my coach enrolled me in the Washington Institute of Sports Medicine athletic performance training program.
Finally, after a few months of training off-season, school started and our preseason training began. We spent two to three days a week doing sprinting, pylometrics, strength training and ab workouts, as well as two to four days a week on the basketball court.
It was intense but of course that was just the beginning. I had no idea how big the commitment I had made was, when I agreed to play for Coach Napier, nor did I know how rewarding it would be!
Our team was the youngest teams, in terms of experience, in our conference. We struggled to come away with the win countless times. What helped us press on, in spite of our losses, was our friendships and heart for each other. It sounds very sensitive and girly, I know... but we had a lot of spirit on our team and women with great character.
We worked very hard and from August to February; we had practice just about every week, six days out of seven. We spent our personal time outside of practice committed to getting better at our basketball related skills. There is a lot of travelling involved as well. We played teams in Idaho, Southern Oregon, and Eastern
Washington. It definitely takes a lot out of you but yields great rewards!
Participating in basketball at NU has been a blessing. There are not many things in life that challenge your personal growth, and that challenge you to be a positive contributor to a team as you move towards a common goal. I learned a lot this year about what it means to persevere, to serve others, to be a follower, spiritual leader, and a team player.
If you are considering being a collegiate athlete I would go for it! We will only have these young bodies for a short time and the opportunity to use them at this level of competition as well. It will change your life, and I don't say that lightly. You will change as a person as you use this opportunity to shape who you are.
Check out the NU Athletic webpage at www.northwestu.edu/athletics/
Here are some of my favorite basketball related quotes:
"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."- Michael Jordan
"Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is your better and your better your best."- Tim Duncan
"Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard."- Kevin Durant
"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."- John Wooden (one of my favorites!)
Chanara Greene is a senior at Northwest University. She loves playing on the NU women’s basketball team, singing with the Choralons, and living out her passions to the fullest. When she’s not on the basketball court, she spends her time in ministry or drinking lots of coffee! Follow her on Instragram @Chanarag.
Posted on Monday, February 18, 2013 by Chanara Greene
Share on Facebook
