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Note: This story appeared in the Winter 2021 February edition of CoSIDA 360 Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.
From the President's Desk
Overcoming
by Sam Atkinson – CoSIDA president 2020-21 / Gallaudet University, Associate Athletic Director for Communications
It’s a new calendar year and I’m sure we’re all thrilled to say good riddance to 2020. Even though the calendar year changed, our situation remains the same. While we still have a ways to go to overcome this pandemic situation there is light at the end of the tunnel.
With a new year comes the tired question of what is your New Year’s resolution? I’d much rather see people set a new mindset for the new year instead. Yearly resolutions are bound to fail whereas changing an outlook on your life has a chance to become more everlasting.
I know this is easier said than done but I challenge you to rise above the negativity in 2021.
The theme for this issue of CoSIDA 360 is “overcoming.” It is such a fitting theme and word to describe our members and profession, not just during this academic year, but our journey in collegiate athletics.
All of our journeys begin with dreams.
We all have them.
Some of you that are reading this column have achieved your dreams, others are just setting out chasing theirs.
For those that have reached a dream milestone let me say congratulations and encourage you to keep dreaming for the next possibility. For those still chasing a dream, I’m right there with you. Our time is going to come. Do not let the naysayers get the best of you.
We all need to continue to deliver the high-quality work many expect from us. These day-to-day tasks collectively build up to get us closer to our goals and dreams. Along our journey it’s inevitable that we hit a wall, get sidetracked or derailed but that shouldn’t stop you.
What’s holding you back?
Many of us are afraid of the unknown and taking a leap of faith. Maybe that leap or a change of scenery is what you need to keep going. You may just shrug things off and say “well maybe someday I’ll reach my dream.” Well, why not today? Why not make a positive change in your mindset for 2021 to overcome your obstacles to reach your dreams?
“Well, who am I to keep you down?” Trust me, I didn’t just quote Fleetwood Mac’s song Dreams while on a skateboard while throwing down Ocean Spray Cran-Raspberry juice, even though I’m sure some of you would like to see that.
A year ago, we couldn’t have imagined what 2020 would be like. We’ve all been put through the ringer. It hasn’t been easy and I’m sure we’re all looking for hope and a slice of positive news.
This issue of CoSIDA 360 offers many different positive stories of our members overcoming obstacles and for some achieving their dreams.
DePaul University Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy started his collegiate career as a sports information director. At the end of August 2020, Peevy reached his dream of becoming an athletic director. His column “Dream Big Dreams” (page 5) gives great perspective for those of us still chasing our dreams.
Vanderbilt University Director of Football Communications Sarah Fetters couldn’t have dreamt of what was in store for the Commodores program when the fall season began. On Nov. 28, Vanderbilt women’s soccer goalie Sarah Fuller, fresh off winning an SEC championship, suited up for the Commodores football team in Columbia, Missouri. Fuller entered the game to kick off the second half against Mizzou as she became the first female to participate in a Power 5 football contest. Fetters shares her perspective (page 9) of how Fuller overcame barriers to break this glass ceiling and encourage younger girls to dream big.
Middlebury College Assistant Director of Athletic Communications Ali Paquette pens an inspiring story about supporting women in the sports information profession (page 16). Paquette’s story dives into the obstacles women in the profession face and how they are true leaders in the field.
There have been so many great stories coming out of the crisis we have faced for the last year. CoSIDA Past President Rob Knox (UNC Greensboro) goes behind the scenes and shares the stories of CoSIDA members becoming storytellers during a pandemic in our cover story (page 6).
I hope you enjoy this issue of CoSIDA 360, now being supplied in a digital-only format. I hope your time reading these great stories inspires you to continue to overcome the day-to-day grind, and makes you dream big.
Talk about these stories on the
CoSIDA Slack Community.