A Unique Breed

Ahhhh, being a part of a major Division I college program. Sounds like a dream, a rarity, an opportunity accompanied by a sense of entitlement, right? Right. 

There's no better feeling than realizing you are a part of the 1% of people in the world who compete in D1 athletics. There's no better feeling than strolling into the locker room with your family after a long day's work, stripping down to your underwear (because, who cares?), sitting at your locker and thinking, "Damn, at least I don't have to pay tuiti......" Haha PSYCH. I'm a walk-on.

People probably wonder: Wait....what? You mean to tell me that you have to dedicate at least 30 hours a week toward athletics (with very little probability you'll contribute in the games) on top of worrying about your academics, social life, and paying tuition?!?!

My answer is obvious and blunt. Yes, and I love it.  I love the game. I love the daily routines. I love the hustle (even though I'm a kicker and there is not much hustle going on aside from replaying my 6th grade glory days at scout team free safety while I wear gloves and try way too hard to intercept the starting QB).  I love making my teammates better, forming relationships, and, most importantly, being a part of a family that I couldn't see myself living without if I ever decided that it wasn't worth it.  

There's a certain enjoyment and tradition that comes with being a walk-on.  As most of us have lockers next to each other, you learn a lot about the joys and struggles of being a walk-on.  First thing's first, know the sign/hand gesture: the 3 fingers stands for the "W" in Walk-On and the circle stands for the "O" (get it right or quit reading this blog).

Now, I'm not telling you about this sign solely because it's what we do and how we recognize each other from across campus, but also to inform you of all the famous walk-ons that you may not have known about prior to this blog:

1) Mickey Mouse

2) Mila Kunis 

3) Drake

There are also some other pretty notable walk-ons including Clay Matthews, Santana Moss, Scottie Pippen, and Ben Wallace. However, that's besides the point. I'm talking about the hometown kids who show their middle finger to DI recruiters and join their college teams by simply balling out and proving that they are worthy of being on the team.  People like Clay Matthews and most kickers who walk on and make it to the NFL are people I look up to because they were forced to take the long way out without a scholarship and still made it by earning that scholarship and standing out to NFL scouts.  Those are the guys that I model my work ethic toward. 

However, as days go by, you eventually start to find humor in being a walk-on (when you're not on the grind and getting better, obviously) and truly bond with other walk-ons about "that one moment" that you need in order to prove yourself.  Jokes about if the head coach actually knows your name and about how you're going to relive your high school glory days through your children seem to never get old.  As a walk-on, you know you've made it when you get awesome gear that fits you after months of getting XXL leftover gear (I'm 5'8" 145 lbs.) from the travel team. I'll be there one day I think. 

At the end of the day, we're still working our asses off on the field/court and in the classroom and trying to make ourselves and our teammates better.