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 Jesse French, a lacrosse student-athlete at UVa-Wise.

Dear Lacrosse,
 
Let us take a stroll down memory lane. It was the summer after fourth grade and my parents were signing me up for my usual summer camps. When your camp came along my sister just could not live without you. With that two weeks later, I found myself on your field and holding a stick in my hand for the first time.
 
I hated you, I could not catch or throw the ball to save my life and I sure could not understand your rules. So that was it, I was done with you and I was going to focus on my other sports. Or so I thought.
 
Unlike myself, my sister loved you. She loved how unique you were compared to other sports. She loved you so much she began doing travel league. And before I knew it you somehow crawled back into my life. Every tournament I was dragged along to my sister's coach tried to convince me to give you one more chance. Eventually I gave in and decided to give you one last shot. And then I did something I never thought I would do: I joined the middle school travel team.
 
At the first practice I had realized you had not changed one bit since I last saw you. You were still incredibly difficult. But this time you weren't letting me leave. At that first practice you became my best friend. From that point we were inseparable. We spent our weekends at my teammate's house passing, watching college teams play, and just talking about you.
 
Even though this once one-sided relationship was turning into something real, that did not change how difficult you are. My parents even thought that I should go back to focusing on basketball and just leave you behind. For a little bit they had me convinced, but you were determined. That summer was going to be my last summer, but you gave me a sign. You gave me one of the best coaches I have had to this day. Just like you, he saw my potential and did not let me give up.
 
That summer I began to truly love you. You took up all of my time. From hours of wallball and shooting to watching your games all night you were right by my side. With this new relationship we had I found even more new friendships, some that I still have to this day.
 
My best memories are with you, from winning tournaments and intense overtime games to the bus rides full of songs and laughter. You gave me a great high school experience, and that's when the big question arose. Are we going to college together?
 
That was a big yes, we spent my junior and senior year finding the perfect fit for us and we found our home in Wise, Virginia. You had just been at Wise for only a year when I first visited. I was bit nervous but, somehow, I knew we found the right spot. You put Coach Dennehy in my life and gave me a mom away from home. She was tough on me, but you kept telling me she knows I can handle it. Freshman year of college our friendship grew. We were always together, people always knew if I wasn't in my room studying, we were out on the field getting better.
 
Throughout our friendship you have gotten me countless awards, championships and recognitions, but I cannot thank you enough for all the friendships, role models, and memories you gave me along the way. You took me to Europe and gave me the best two weeks of my life. But most importantly, you gave me, a once shy awkward fourth grader, a voice.
 
We have come a long way, but we have an even longer way to go. Here's to making more memories and friendships together. And as always thank you.
 
Sincerely,
Your Best Friend
#1 Jesse French