Allison Miller '14 Recruiting Profile

Life, like basketball, is a series of wins and losses: we all know the pain of a bitter defeat and the joy of a sweet victory. To succeed — at either endeavor — one must have a strong character, a good work ethic, and a strict sense of discipline. Playing basketball since the age of six has not only created the athlete I am today but also shaped the person I have become, in part because I have applied the qualities I have learned from basketball to my life off the court. 

In a team sport, cooperation is essential: you have to look out for the people around you. One of the most heartwarming and gratifying experiences I have had in basketball was coaching mentally and physically disabled kids. Working with these unique children gave me a new perspective on the value of this sport. More than just a fun after-school activity, basketball can change how someone feels. Playing this sport gave these kids an outlet for their frustration after the trials of a hard day, and it taught them the value of teamwork and the joy of camaraderie. These children may have not been the next Michael Jordan, but they shared his passion and his determination. A good coach can teach you so much more than just how to shoot a free throw: he or she can also help you learn valuable lessons about life.

Having almost four years of experience in varsity high school basketball, I have dealt with many losses as well as victories. As a freshman, my team wasn't great — but we weren't amazing, either. I remember my coach always yelling at me because I was never quite in the right place on the court. When I messed up a play, my coach was always right there to tell me exactly what I had done wrong. But I didn’t give up: I wanted to prove myself worthy of the spot I had been given on the team, and I used the criticism as motivation. I stayed late after school to rehearse particularly difficult plays, and I went to the gym early to shoot free throws before practice even started. From this, I learned the value of dedication and discipline. During my sophomore year, my team was one of the best in the league: we had a win-to-loss ratio of 32:2. By being a part of that team, I understood that teamwork, discipline, and dedication were the keys to success.

 I am excited to continue to play the game that has taught me so much: not just about being a good athlete, but about being a successful person. When I go to college, I know that I will be successful both on and off the court. After all, life is a team sport, too.