Andrew Shaw Ingram Exploratory Essay The Irresistible Passion Being passionate about something really means a lot,

especially to oneself. Things I can say I am passionate about are sports, my family, friends, schoolwor , my future, etc. !or this essay I am going to write about something that has stuc with me throughout my whole life, soccer. Soccer is something I ha"e been so in"ol"ed in and not because I had to, because I wanted to be. I really do thin soccer has changed my life, and in a "ery good way. It#s something I could die for. $hen I was fi"e years old I started playing soccer. I participated in recreational play until I reached middle school. Although I was not that good in middle school, I continued to play until high school. At that time in my life is when I really thin soccer became a passion, and it was something I wanted to learn more about. I started with watching soccer on t." and playing hard when we had practice. In my tenth grade year, going into my ele"enth grade year, I became a referee at the local recreational center. I reffed the younger ids, and e"entually wor ed my

way up to reffing the bigger ids. %effing definitely had an impact in my soccer life because I got to learn a different side of the game. $hen I reffed I ser"ed as an obser"er of the game. Along with that I had to now all the rules, ma ing me understand the game in its entirety. $hen I had a full understanding of the game I could finally practice using all the nowledge I ac&uired. 'y (unior year of high school soccer I did not start, when most of my other friends did. I was a first year "arsity player so I didn#t ha"e the experience nor s ill to play the entire game. After my (unior year I had all the coaching I needed to become better, now I desired the on field experience. )uring the summer of my (unior year going into senior year I new I needed to wor my ass off in order to start and ha"e a good season. )uring that summer I literally played almost e"ery day. 'y friend and I would ic around and practice for at least an hour or two on these days, getting better and better. I did not e"en get a (ob because I de"oted so much time into getting better at the game. $hen my senior year soccer season began I was starting and playing almost the whole game. $e ended with a *+, record and third round playoff run that ended the season at a -.+/ record. This was a successful run for Bre"ard

soccer that my team was "ery proud of, since the program had not reached third round in at least / years. 'y soccer (ourney did not end there though. 'y spring semester of senior year I had to complete a senior pro(ect. !or the pro(ect I coached a 0+-1 soccer team. )uring the first wee s of the pro(ect I tore my A23. It was "ery unfortunate because I wanted to help those ids get better no matter how much I had to do. 4nce I started to heal progressi"ely I did e"erything that I could do at practice to get them better. E"ery drill and practice was thoroughly explained to get the ideas and concepts down for when it came to game time. The season went spectacularly. 5ot only did we beat e"ery team, we beat the opponent by at least a few goals each and e"ery time. )uring the games I would ha"e my brace on6for A237 and be hobbling up and down the sideline in my long pants, dress shirt, and tie. I would try and yell at my ids where to either pass or be positioned, all while recording e"ery pass attempted and completed to the best of my ability. This was the picture in (ust about e"ery game. Telling them what to do during the game may ha"e seemed a bit too much, but all I wanted was success from them. Seeing them win and a happy face after the game

was one of the best feelings e"er. I wanted them to be winners and be able to gain as much nowledge they could recei"e about the game at their age le"el. All the parents of the ids would come e"ery game because they new I was dedicated in coaching them. I felt it was my duty to teach them e"erything I new. I wish I could go bac and either do it again or start a new season. I feel li e I gained a lot from coaching8 I grasped more nowledge from the game by being a coach. Also I will always ha"e a place in my heart for those ids, who hopefully feel the same, ha"ing a season filled with nowledge, experience, and wins8 'y whole life I ha"e been in"ol"ed in soccer and ha"e ta en e"ery opportunity to be in"ol"ed in it. I ha"e played outdoor and indoor soccer, reffed ages up to -/, coached, and e"erything else I could in"ol"e myself in. I absolutely lo"e the sport and ne"er go a day without thin ing about it. There is nothing that gets me going more than playing soccer, but that is why I claim I am passionate for it. 'y lo"e for the game is (ust o"erwhelming. 2urrently, I try and play whene"er my friends and I ha"e the free time to and I hope to play some intramurals during my years at 0522. I belie"e soccer has impacted my life from ha"ing to wor hard and stay determined, which are &ualities I ha"e

gained from coaching and practicing to become a better player.