The Ingredients of One Olympian’s Success

By sharing my experiences, I hope to show others that their dreams are within reach and worth working and sacrificing for. I don’t think you will have heard this story before, or anything quite similar. The stars that aligned for my success may never align exactly the same way again. The key ingredients for my success were all those who believed in me, supported, encouraged and pushed me and my own stubbornness, dedication and perseverance. Often, I analyze my athletic life and see so many places where my dreams could have been derailed and buried.

Who inspired and motivated me? Who pushed me and believed in me? Who supported and encouraged me?

In the early 1970’s I became the first woman in the United States to play on a men’s NCAA Division 1 Intercollegiate Team. This statement must evoke some questions. The story will reveal all of the answers.

And how does one follow such an achievement? Unfortunately, my road to the Olympics was not paved in gold but rather in bitter disappointment, and crushed dreams. My first Olympic dreams are still just dreams of what might have been. After a short stint playing professionally in Italy, I was offered a coaching job at a Division 1 University.

Just as I was beginning to finally let go of those Olympic dreams, the door opened again. You bet I was ready to jump through it. Because I had never lost my love of the Olympics, I did not hesitate when I got a second chance to be an Olympian. In my experience as an athlete and coach, time and again it is shown that athletic talent is not enough. The mental side of sport is where champions find their edge. This time I was older and wiser. The body kicked and screamed a bit along the way, but the mental aspects and years of experience could not be rivaled.

The Olympic Experience was so meaningful after studying Olympism for many years, attending and working at the International Olympic Academy in Greece. I knew the history of the Games and the organization of sports around the world, and I understood what it took to conduct an Olympic Games. I had a greater appreciation for everything I was to participate in. Also, my years of coaching had prepared me in a different way, looking at the game from different perspectives. It also helped me be a better teammate.

I hope my story will inspire and motivate the champion in you.