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 Jackie Cramer, a softball student-athlete at Wheeling Jesuit.

Dear softball...
Thank you for showing me discipline
For those times when a rise ball looked way too appealing
Thank you for showing me perseverance
When I wanted to give up and walk away, but stayed anyways
Thank you for giving me lifelong friendships
The teammates and coaches that I will always count on
Thank you for giving me a passion
The feeling of diving after a ball and it landing perfectly in the glove is irreplaceable
Thank you for showing me hard work
The early mornings and late nights made it all worth it
Thank you for giving me health
Even though suicides and burpees make me want to cry
Thank you for paving the way to WJU
Without softball, I would not have chosen this school
Thank you for pushing me outside my comfort zone
One will learn the most when uncomfortable
Thank you for giving me a voice
On and off the field
Thank you for giving me a game of failures
And how to learn from them
Thank you for showing me leadership
I found the confidence to lead by voice and by example
Thank you for being my escape
When life is overwhelming, you are not
Thank you for everything you have given me
Without softball, I would not be me.