Dream Transformed

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Dec 7, 2011
2,368
38
It is with conflicted heart that I bid farewell to all my fellow parents here supporting our hardworking DD's in achieving what they want to get out of their early lives.

DD has come to another one of SB's difficult hurdles it provides. Just after confirming for herself that she could have been a productive member of a high D1 team she finds herself needing to quit.

DD entered this chapter at Kentucky setting herself up for two mutually exclusive existences (not realizing this at the start). She entered this fall semester knowing she was going to attempt a walk-on and at the same time line herself up with a curriculum that emulates what a junior premed student would normally have. 17 credit hours of really tough classes. DW and I did not get too alarmed as DD has been able to get top grades in every circumstance so far....

Well DD called us the other night extremely stressed with the news that she is struggling with her school work. Looks like she will need to withdraw from one class to get back on top and save her "paid" semester. Along with dropping this class she will also need to drop SB too..... DD has learned she has a limit. A SB life with an SEC team AND a heavy full time premed workload is just too much.

This decision of hers was incredibly difficult for her. But stepping back for a second I really think she is making the right decision. For the first time in life she is paying for a solid portion of her education (only getting academic scholarship) and SHE is deciding this is too valuable to jeopardize. I have to respect that regardless of how much DW & I were wanting to see her all suited up with the rest of the Wildcat team and having the shot for that big ESPN in-the-spotlight moment.

Hats off to the Kentucky coaching staff for giving DD the opportunity to prove to herself all along that she WAS SEC-D1 material (I knew it I knew it I knew it). The Big Blue staff were everything that a DD and her parents could ever have wanted in offering a walk-on opportunity that they did.

So DW & I are here at Kentucky right now with DD spending great quality time with her while she is going through this transformation into solely being a student. I know she will transform into a rock-star doctor and I look forward to transforming myself onto a "Discuss DD Doctors" site where I can watch and be further amazed at her success in the next chapter of her hopeful long life.

For now - this chapter closes. I wish all you & your incredibly strong dream-driven DD's the best wishes in the world. REMEMBER - IT IS THE JOURNEY!!!
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
Similar thing occurred to a friend of DD's last fall. She went to an ACC school as a preferred walk-on. Balance of athletics/academics was too much for her. She got to play in fall games, but she knew she wouldn't play any real games in spring. Long story short, she became a team manager. Still involved with the program, but work load was cut down (ie, no morning weight lifting) so that she can still sorta be part of the softball.

You are right - it is the journey. Just being a student is challenge enough. She'll spend her time getting into other adventures. She's played plenty of softball already. All is good.
 
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
University club softball is a great option for those girls who are taking more challenging majors. Is it SEC level ball, no. But it's good softball that keeps them in the game they love. My dd is in Engineering. Club ball has been perfect. They practice a couple of times per week, league games are triple headers on Sunday's the divisions are broken up by geography. My dds team does a couple of weekend tourneys a year. In the spring there are regional tourneys with the chance to go to Nationals.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
While your DD may have reached the point in her life where softball and school cannot coexist, but that does not mean that you cannot participate in the DFP forum! We need more members who have "been there, done that" to help guide those of us still on the journey...
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
I have a great deal of admiration for young athletes that are capable of living more than one dream at the same time. I am sure it cannot be easy. Hard work, dedication, etc. is required to succeed at either one of them. However, I have even more admiration for your daughter for understanding and coming to the realization that a choice was necessary. I am sure that was gut wrenching for her (and you). It shows me that she was raised to be strong, independent, and able to make difficult decisions. While I understand this is a difficult time, I just want to say congratulations to her for making the choice. Great job!
 
Jul 5, 2016
652
63
I know it sounds like a cliché, but any young person who reaches for their dreams is a star. Making it is nice, obviously, but trying is what counts.
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
RB, this should not be goodbye. If so, then some other members like me should also say goodbye. The fact is, you've been there and done that and so, are a valuable asset to this website. Please keep that in mind. For me, it is just a different phase. For you?
 
Feb 14, 2010
592
18
Well it's sounds like your DD took the life lessons that the great game of softball will teach a person and she learned from them and is focused on what matters themost, her future. So I say well done RB.

This is the reason I love athletics so much. There's more to the game than the highlights.
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
For now - this chapter closes. I wish all you & your incredibly strong dream-driven DD's the best wishes in the world. REMEMBER - IT IS THE JOURNEY!!!

You don't have that quite right. It's about the goal. The interesting part is the journey with all the twists, turns, struggles, successes and hurdles to overcome that make it fun!!! No two paths are the same.


You have raised a DD who knows when life becomes a priority. A big THUMBS UP from the crew at DFP for a great job as parents.
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
First, congrats again for the walk on and team offer. Although it won't work out for your DD, as far as athletics and curriculum goes, she has absolutely made the right decision IMO. I hope you continue on as a poster here even if it's a "drive by" opinion. You would be too much of an asset to the community to lose. Just remember that many of our community are still searching for the vast knowledge you possess.

Next year, my DD moves on to college with a challenging career choice/ curriculum also. I'm hoping that she has learned the same life lessons as your DD from this great sport that we share a passion for and is also mature enough (as your DD was) to make the right choice should she have to.
 

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