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 Delaney Crumblish, a soccer player from Concord University

Dear Soccer,
Where do even begin? I guess where I can start is by saying thank you. Thank you for being in my life for the past 16 years. It's crazy to think we have been in it together for that long. You have been there though the innocent years of grade school, the years of being bullied in middle school, through the rollercoaster ride of high school, and now through the growing years of college. Thank you for always being my constant. The thing that I could go to in order to get away from everything that was going on. Thank you for being my escape.

As I sit here and write this letter a few weeks away from knowing that we will be parting ways, there is a mix of emotions that I don’t think anyone can explain until you are standing in my shoes as a college senior. The question is, what will life be like without you? I don’t know anything else but you being in my life. You have taught me so much about life. The things you have taught me will be applied to everything else that is to come in my future.

You have taught me how to persevere though the ups and the downs of my time playing. Things don’t always go the way I want, but you taught me that I must work through it. You have taught me what it is like to work hard, to set goals and accomplish them. You have taught me how continue to fight and when I get knocked down nine times, I get up that tenth. Not everyone gets to be a collegiate athlete. Trust me, being a collegiate athlete is stressful. From having to wake up at 5 a.m. to practice at 6 a.m. for it to be over by 8 a.m., and then have to go to your classes all day. To then studying on busses and vans with your phone flashlight after games on the ride back just to review for that test the next day. To then bringing me tears when I get injured and have to sit out, but also to the smiles and laughs and emotions that will stick with me forever.

You have made me step out of my comfort zone bringing me to different cities and towns across this country. I have been to places I never would have been able to go if it wasn’t for you.

Let’s not forget to mention the people you have brought into my life. You have given me some of the best friends that I could have ever asked for. You have let me meet people from all around the world simply because we all have the same love, passion, and desire. These people have made impacts on my life that have shaped me into the person I am today. Thank you for putting my coaches in my life and pushing me to be the best that I could be. You have given me mentors, friends, and family.

Thank you for being my first love, my constant, and my everything the last 16 years. As much as I do not want this chapter to close, I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to experience you in my life.

Thank you,
Delaney Crumblish