Sports aren’t always just about winning or losing. The lessons you learn will carry you on much farther than just athletics. I always thought that was a cliche thing to say. I am still very competitive, but St. X has truly taught me that winning isn’t everything. There are plenty of times where losing can be even more important than winning.
The reason I say this is because when you lose you learn. Losing means something went wrong and you need to improve. This opens up your weaknesses and provides you with a chance to get better. This is just one of many things St. X sports have taught me.
I went and asked three people who have played sports here at St. X. First I asked a former football and basketball player at St. X, and also former Division I football player at the University of Kentucky, Keegan Sullivan.
I asked Keegan how St. X athletics has prepared him for the real world. One of the big things he emphasized was the discipline he learned here:
“My high school prepared me for the real world by instilling a strong sense of discipline in everyday habits,” Sullivan said. “Whether it was making sure I wore a tie each day or making sure I finished through on every rep.”
As cliché as it may sound when teachers or coaches say it, it does truly matter that we need to pay attention to the little things.
“Over time, I realized that paying attention to seemingly minor things builds the foundation for success in work and in life,” Sullivan added.
This shows us that coaches here at St. X aren’t just trying to get on us. They are truly building discipline in us and preparing us for the future. Life isn’t going to get any easier, so we can’t ignore the little things that are what builds our foundation.
I also spoke to the current Division I lacrosse player at Marquette, Thomas Andriole. Andriole was a four-year, two-sport athlete here at St. X. He played football and lacrosse, where he made varsity his freshman year. I asked Thomas if there was anything specific that he learned here at St. X that carried on to his collegiate career.
“Balancing St. X’s rigorous academics and elite sports forced me to be disciplined with my time and efforts,” Andriole said.
He talked a lot about how St. X pushed him every day to better himself. Andriole knows the coaches were very hard on him at times but it was all for good reason.
“I am truly grateful for the coaches and teachers at St. X,” Andriole said.
Here at St. X we are blessed to have teachers and coaches who truly care about us. Some days it may feel like they are upset but all they are trying to do is push you to get better. Deep down I know that my teachers and coaches truly care about me.
Lastly I spoke to current St. X student Conor Dwyer who has played football for four years at St. X. I asked Dwyer what St. X football has taught him that he thinks will be most easily transferred to the real world? The three big things he focused on was how St. X has taught him discipline, accountability, and work ethic.
Dwyer is a different man now versus who he came to St. X as.
“Coming into St. X as a chubby, undersized lineman I learned quickly the importance of putting my head down and working hard,” Dwyer said.
Dwyer understood that becoming great wouldn’t be easy and it would take time. He also truly understood the importance of having people around you to help.
“Having my brothers alongside and picking me up every step of the way,” Dwyer said. “I learned that teamwork and handling adversity is an extremely important ability that translates not only on the field but in the real world.”
Always surrounding yourself with people who support you is the right thing to do. You won’t be able to get any better if the people around you aren’t pushing you and making you want to be better. St. X is notorious for their Brotherhood.
I can personally say that I have 1,000% felt this through my four years at St. X. I have had plenty of good moments and also plenty of times where I was struggling. Although, no matter how I was feeling I have noticed that there are always people there to support you and keep your head level.
This was just three quick examples of the type of people St. X is producing. I genuinely believe you can go and ask these questions to anyone who has played years of sports at St. X and you will hear similar responses because of how this school is run.
