The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the term “inspiration” as “something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create; a force or influence that inspires someone.” An inspiration is like a fingerprint. It is different for everyone.
Ask any athlete who inspires him or her, and chances are that they will name another athlete. Maybe the reason for this is that they wish they were that specific person, maybe for the money, maybe for the talent or maybe even for the fame. Whatever the reason is, people admire athletes. They look up to them and study their every move. They adore them. They are inspired. But if athletes inspire the average person, who inspires athletes?
Blackburn freshman basketball player Alexia Duncan’s inspiration is former first overall pick in the NBA draft, Kyrie Irving, and his journey from high school to college to the top of the league. “To see how he handles the ball well and to see how he can shoot… it gives me inspiration and lets me know I can become the best if I put my mind to it, if I put effort and dedication to anything I can do.
Most athletes begin their careers with a certain level of talent, but that talent can only take them so far. Talent alone cannot be relied on when there’s less than a minute on the clock in double-overtime. So if talent alone isn’t always enough, how do athletes get the job done? Inspiration.
Freshman soccer players Pietro Lentini and Steven Cowles spoke of how their team’s potential motivates them. Lentini said, “We have a lot of young talent this year and I feel like that and especially having our seniors, Nate and Chris, and we try and represent for them for their last year and try to give them our all, they’ve been giving the school their all for four years, so we’re trying to do our part now.”
Inspiration is not just something that a player turns to in times of need, but coaches as well. Women’s basketball coach Katie Fonseca draws inspiration from her desire to be the best and “being able to have something that I can attach my name to saying that we were able to come from this portion or we were here and now we’ve grown to this level no matter how long it takes is pretty cool and I think that’s what motivates me the most, is to be the best and to see growth.”