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 Joshua Floyd, a basketball player at the University of Charleston.
Dear Basketball,
There are so many ways that I can start this letter to you - the game that I have been in love with since my toddler days shooting on my first Fisher Price hoop. I am forever thankful for the places that you have taken me along with the lifelong relationships that I have built with both players to coaches.
As a child I knew it had to be love when I would so be so intrigued just by watching Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 90’s. I wanted to be just like “Mike.” Growing up you were just a fun hobby that I couldn’t get enough of but my parents realized the love I had for you was sincere and did everything they could to put me in the best positions to further our relationship. The sacrifices that they made driving all over the country, missing days of work, scraping up their last dollars so that I could play with the best travel ball teams throughout elementary and middle school cause me to feel forever indebted. Without their constant effort and support, I firmly believe I wouldn’t be in the position I am today.
Let’s reminisce to the days of middle school, where I was the chubby cheeked sixth grader who was able to make the team full of the older guys. I felt on top of the world but you showed me ever so quickly that life can come at you very fast because I played maybe five minutes that whole season. I was crushed, but you never let me give up on you. Seventh grade came around and our relationship was probably at its toughest time. I was going through a rough stage in my life as my parents were going through a divorce, and there was a great deal of moving around going on. I put you on the back-burner and it showed as I began the tryout process for my team. I will never forget the day I walked up to the final cut list posted on the lockers and saw that my name was not included. I cringe at the thought of it to this day. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to have an understanding coach who granted me permission to still be on the team. Without that moment from that coach, who knows if I would even be able to write this love letter to you today. That summer I vowed to never lose focus in you again. I worked harder than I ever had to make sure I would never have that moment happen to me again. Eighth grade is when we made history for our school becoming the first team to ever when a championship. I marvel at seeing the names of my teammates and I on the banner that hangs up!
High school is where you moved me around to three totally different schools in three totally different areas of Broward County, and you taught me how to adapt to different surroundings and how to always be myself no matter the situation. As a freshman, I went to a public school closer to my home where I was able to be a starter on my varsity team. There I really gained the confidence to play against older competition but I knew I wanted more for my education as well as basketball. I took the challenge of transferring to a private school 45 minutes away where I would have to wake up at 5 a.m. every morning to catch the bus. The school work was much harder and I was also not accustomed to going to a religious school, but I am glad that I was able to spend two years there. As a senior I transferred to one of the most decorated basketball schools in the state of Florida in Blanche Ely High School. I learned so much about myself when I suffered a torn meniscus right before the season and the rehab process was excruciating to get back for my first game.
College came around and you wanted me to continue to grow by putting me in different places and scenarios. I started off at a junior college in Florida chasing Division I dreams that soon were achieved as I began my junior year at Savannah State University. I have great memories there and I had the opportunity to play in front of thousands on a nightly basis. Most importantly you gave me the chance to receive my degree without my parents having to reach into their pockets at all. As a graduate student now at the University of Charleston in my last year of collegiate basketball, you have again blessed me with yet another opportunity to achieve my Master's degree, which is beyond my wildest dreams. I have also met some great coaches that will be a big part of my life from here on out.
In the end, dearest basketball, you have taught me so many life lessons and created a plethora of opportunities for which I will always be thankful for. I hope you can continue to put me in great situations throughout my life and continue to show your love to me like I have tried to show it to you! I love you!
Sincerely,
Joshua Floyd
University of Charleston