Fellas,

I just wanted to write this to you in order to emphasize how much coach’s question at the end of today’s practice, ($100 to play healthy on Saturday) really meant to me. I’ve never really had an injury that was barely keeping me away from the field like the two I’ve had this year. First it was my quad and I worked my ass off everyday to play again, I played a couple games and then…my ankle. It’s the most frustrating experience I’ve ever had to deal with since I started playing soccer. There’s not much more I can do, other than let time heal it. As a very impatient person, I didn’t believe that I would have to wait for time to heal these injuries. But, I do. At the beginning I tried not to let it get to me, not to show how frustrated I was that my days were passing by one by one, too quickly. Needless to say, it has become depressing. However, I still consider myself very lucky to be part of this team and to be outside with you guys everyday. This is why I’m writing this email. Before you read on, don’t think I’m trying to beat a dead horse, or pound clich» after clich» into your heads. Please, read and believe what I’m saying… not as a senior, not as your captain, but as your friend.

My point is this: don’t take stepping on the field to play for granted. Don’t ever take it for granted. Take each opportunity to play your heart out. You’re not always going to have the best game of your life, your touch isn’t always going to be the greatest and your speed won’t always be enough to get past your guy. Nonetheless, take pride in the fact that no matter what happens, you won’t give up…because it means more to you than whoever you go up against. We go to this school for a reason; no matter how hard it gets at times, we refuse to give up, we continue to persevere and we prove to everyone else and ourselves that we run on a full tank of passion, determination and heart- in everything. If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this it’s that you really do have to play each game like it could be your last. You have to want THAT ball, OUR ball. Share it with each other, as teammates and as friends because, in my opinion, that’s what soccer is. It’s not fun if you can walk off the field with a ton of energy left knowing that you could have done more to help out your teammates, your friends. That’s for baseball players who stand in the outfield watching butterflies; they could play all day and never be tired.

1-7-1

How good did that win feel? That second half of Haverford… That was fun. Our initial problem in the first half was all in our minds. We let that team move the ball around in the first half because we were taking it for granted that we were on the field playing another varsity soccer game. It took coach slapping us in the face, WAKING US UP, for us to realize that we were so much better than how we were playing that first half. That put a fire in our hearts, we were better than what we showed them that first half. The start of the second half proved that. We wanted THAT ball, OUR ball… and everyone got to touch it, to pass it to another teammate/ another friend. That’s what made us smile after that game. Whether you were on the field or not, you were smiling.

We’ve had heart breakers, we’ve had blow-outs against us and we’ve had “should-of won’s”. We will win games. Say it. WE WILL WIN GAMES. Believe it. We can’t be satisfied saying it just to have something to do from 4-7 every week. This year will be the last for myself, Ben, Tahir and Zuber. We’ve been doing this everyday for four years because we’ve chosen to do so. It’s the best escape from schoolwork, it’s the best time to have with friends and it’s worth the devotion to be able to smile after a hard-fought match. It’s worth fighting for something that you devote so much time and energy in that you believe it. I ask that you guys share in this devotion with us. Help us help you to realize that each day matters more than the last. Each match, each practice, each touch on the ball is more important than the last. Don’t take our four years here as Wabash soccer players for granted and you will find out that you will be grateful for your own four years of devotion as you have your last practice, play your last match and touch the ball the last time on your field.

Stay healthy and be grateful for this opportunity to play the only game you get to play on THAT day.

I will see you tomorrow morning to wish you a safe trip with an enjoyable outcome.

Thanks guys,

Greg Ridenour

One for all!