In 2018-19, the Mountain East Conference began its "Dear Sport" initiative where student-athletes in the conference were encouraged to write a letter to their sport. The initiative provides the opportunity for student-athletes to express in their own words the impact that sports has played in shaping them throughout their lives. 

Click here to view all letters posted throughout the year. 

Below is a letter from Jordan Hosey, a cross country runner from West Liberty.

Dear Cross Country,
I am still fairly new to you considering I’m in the middle of my third season. I was always around the field of running in high school, and even before that because I played soccer almost my whole life and have run track since 6th grade. Those two were my only precursors, and I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I stepped on the line at Bethany for my first-ever cross country meet in my freshmen year of college. I remember that day like it was yesterday because it was scorching hot, probably about 90 degrees, and I was feeling that heat the whole race. I wasn’t going to let the weather be an excuse though. I went out hard with the best runner on my team to start the race and held close to him the whole race and only got beat by him by about 10 seconds.

You have made me run in the extreme temperatures whether it was a blistering heatwave one to start the season in September or felt like freezing cold in November for regionals where I ran just my second-ever 10k. You taught me how to appreciate a good PR because I know they don’t come around at every race since you are such a hard sport to excel at. I have had to battle fellow teammates at practices and meets to get the times I want and to keep myself on the varsity squad. I am very grateful to have people on the team with me that also are always wanting to improve and pushing me to be better every single day. I have met some of the coolest and nicest people through running who I think could be some lifelong friends. Nobody can know the true pain and determination that it takes to compete at this level unless you have run for this sport in the past.

I want to thank you for giving me this great opportunity a little over two years ago to do this wonderful sport. Without it my life would be completely different today. You changed my life and taught me that to be successful in college it takes three things: hard work, experience and never underestimating the course or a runner based on size.

Thank You,
Jordan Hosey
West Liberty University