I WON’T BACK DOWN by Kaylyn Crawford

by Kaylyn Crawford

Basketball has been a part of my life for a very long time. I started playing in the second grade and have loved it ever since. When I started constantly thinking about and playing basketball, I knew it was a passion. I’d find myself imagining my future WNBA career for hours at a time while shooting. I fell in love with the game and I could never get it off my mind.

I look up to players like Stephen Curry and see how he has made such a huge impact on the world with his game. When I think about his influence, I think about my dreams and aspirations to make a similar impact and be someone who people around the world look up to. I also think about all the things basketball has taught me so far.

One of the first things I learned is that when the coach is talking, you hold the basketball. This taught me respect. Because I’ve learned respect from the game, I have better communication skills that allow me to better interact with my teachers so I can achieve my academic goals.

Later into my “basketball career,” around the fourth grade, our coach emphasized that you should pass the ball around and share it with your teammates for better opportunities to score. Through this principle I learned teamwork. From learning teamwork, not only do I have a strong sense of trust for my teammates, but this allows me to reach out to new people and make new friends more easily.

PERSEVERANCE IS THE FINAL INGREDIENT IN THE RECIPE THAT WILL ALLOW ME TO ADVANCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND GRASP MY GOALS.

Finally, as playing the game has become more intense, I learned that in order to succeed you have to outwork millions of others who have the same goal. While I am going through each challenging drill I’m acquiring the skill of perseverance. Perseverance is the final ingredient in the recipe that will allow me to advance to the next level and grasp my goals. Perseverance can help me push through challenges in not only my basketball journey, but the journey of life as well. Although there will be many in the way of the hoop, or my goal, I won’t back down. I will attack each and every one of those trials. I won’t back down because I love the game, and I want to make those childhood dreams a reality.

Playing basketball has taught me respect, teamwork, and perseverance. It has allowed me many opportunities and lessons in life that are invaluable to my growth as a person, and I will use all of these virtues to help me continue down the path to achieving my dreams.

My goal of becoming a great professional basketball player is a challenging one, but I Won’t Back Down.

LADIES FIRST!

HONORING WOMEN TRAILBLAZERS IN SPORTS

Toni Stone, the first female professional baseball player in a top-tier men’s league (1953)

Pat Palinkas, the first woman to sign to a professional men’s team, the Orlando Panthers (1970)

Janet Guthrie, the first woman to compete in NASCAR’s Winston Cup Series (1976) Enith Brigitha, the first black woman to win an Olympic medal, earning bronze in both the 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle (1976)

Goalie Manon Rheaume, the first woman to ever sign a National Hockey League contract (1992)

Becky Hammon, the first Woman Assistant Coach in the NBA (2014)