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 Ethan Snapp, a basketball player at Urbana

Dear Basketball,

You and I go way back don’t we? I remember when we first met. You started off as just a ball in my hand when I was learning how to walk. I think that’s when we became best friends, even though neither one of us knew it yet.

As time went on, you became a backboard and a rim hanging off of my bedroom door when I was five years old. Man, those were some good times, huh? One thing you did for me when I was younger was really help me grow creatively and imaginatively. I remember when we used to act like our favorite players (I would always get the best ones of course) and we’d torch every single invisible defense that was ever thrown at us.

However, like any amazing friendship, we’ve had our ups, but we’ve most definitely had our downs. Let’s jump to middle school. I thought it would be easy; I mean, you had been so good to me so far! However, that’s when I realized that I let you down. I remember getting in the car and just sobbing after those games that I didn’t get in. I remember all those times I was told that I just wasn’t good enough. I was mad at you for a long time because of that, but I had to get over it. I was mad at you, but deep down I still knew that me and you were two peas in a pod. We were inseparable. So I didn’t dwell. I didn’t pout. I decided to spend A LOT more time with you! Every summer after my eighth grade year I devoted my entire life to you. HOURS in the gym with you, three or four times a day, seven days a week. I wanted to show you that I WAS good enough!

Well, I’m a junior in college now, and I still get to hang out with you every single day. I couldn’t have ever imagined us being where we are today. You’ve taken me places I could never imagine. You’ve introduced me to people and relationships I will cherish for the rest of my life. You have done so much for me, and I can’t thank you enough. Everything that we’ve been through, and twenty-one years later, we’re tighter than ever.

I can’t thank you enough, basketball, for all of the things that you’ve done for me. However, I think you and I can both agree that we aren’t quite done yet.

Love,

Ethan Snapp
Urbana University