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I didn’t go pro, make millions of dollars, or even compete at a Division I college. But over the years, my parents sacrificed a lot to ensure I had the best opportunity to pursue my sport and become a college athlete.
They paid for club swimming for close to a decade and attended faraway meets even though they had three other kids. They never missed a meet or a banquet — always cheering loudly from the stands and marking down my times on the heat sheets.
I’m so grateful for their support and investment. In fact, swimming affected my entire trajectory, and being a Division II athlete was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I owe a lot of it to my parents.
I received a scholarship that helped me pay for college
After eight years of supporting my swimming, including driving me to morning practices at 5:30 a.m., my parents were overjoyed when I earned an athletic scholarship to a top Division II school.
As an incoming freshman, I received a small sum to help foot the bill, and my coach increased the scholarship every year, relieving the burden of tuition costs, books, and other expenses.
I got to play a sport I loved, represent our school, and hang with my best friends all the time. It was a little girl’s dream come true.
Division II was a place where I felt more seen as an athlete
I considered a couple of Division I schools with swim programs, but ultimately decided they weren’t the right fit. Little did I know, Division II would be the place I thrived.
I was able to contribute to the team’s success — something bigger than myself — including the school’s first-ever women’s conference championship and a top 10 team placing at the Division II NCAAs. I also just found out that I’ll be inducted into the university’s athletic Hall of Fame this fall, which is an unbelievable honor that is a lifetime highlight.
Courtesy of Jenna Jonaitis
Rather than getting lost in the shuffle at a D1 school, Division II gave me an opportunity to swim at a level that was competitive but not overwhelming or completely out of my league. I could rise without being a superstar. And my teammates cared for me as a person, not just an athlete.
I made lifelong friends and memories
I lived, dined, partied with, and dated swimmers. We had a men’s and women’s team join at the proverbial Speedo. Most of us lived in the same off-campus housing complex and did everything together: from breakfast after morning practice to visiting each other’s childhood homes to study sessions and game nights.
Living the day-to-day together and traveling the country made us bond like a very rowdy, chlorine-bleached family. We laughed until we cried and hugged each other when things were tough. We stood up in each other’s weddings and ran 10Ks together. One of my college swim friends is my daughter’s godfather. Swimmers are still some of my best friends today.
I eventually met my husband through a team connection. In my first job out of college, I crossed paths with the daughter of our university’s athletic director. She worked for the same company and invited me to volunteer at different hospital events. Eventually, she set me up with my now-husband. Without the student-athlete experience and connections, I never would have met him.
I thank my parents for the life I have now
My parents still keep in touch with my swim friends and even some of the other parents from teams over the years. My mom and dad say watching me from the stands is on the highlight reel of being a parent.
As a parent now, I don’t always know what will impact my kids’ lives and futures.
But one thing I know for sure is that I wouldn’t be where I am today if my parents had not invested in me as a child.
I’m going to give my children every opportunity to pursue sports that enrich their lives — and try to give them a chance at a beautiful life with big opportunities, just like my parents did.
The post My parents sacrificed a lot so I could play sports in college. I didn’t go pro, but I’m still glad they invested in me. appeared first on Business Insider.
