Elena Burgess '17 Recruiting Profile

The easy answer to why select me is that I'm a good student and I want to play soccer.  But, as we know, nothing is that easy.  I love soccer.  I can't imagine not playing soccer.  I have had more injuries than I would like to admit but that has helped to form me into the student and player I am today and strive to continue to be in the future.  

I have learned how to endure pain, work through it knowing that how I work will determine how quickly and fully I recover.  I have learned how to persevere through the moments of doubt.  I have learned to be patient knowing that I will obtain my goals following the direction given me even it it isn't on the timeline I hoped for.  I have learned to be diligent with my recovery and training to not just get back to where I was but to push to the next level.  I have learned the fine art of time management and prioritizing work load while catching up on class work some of the time teaching myself the lessons.  I always support and applaud my teammates successes while using it as fuel to feed my desire to push further and be better.  I do not give up.  I always fight back and don't settle until I'm better, until I'm the best I can be.

My injuries have introduced me to many doctors that have taught me a lot about the body and the different treatments available.  I have gone down the traditional, holistic and high-tech paths for recovery.  All of these experiences has driven me down a path for medicine.  I want to work with athletes, like me, that are pulled off the field due to an injury.  I want to help them understand what is wrong and how it's going to be fixed.  I want them to learn how they are just as much of the healing process as I, their doctor, am.  Playing soccer in college will introduce me to more techniques and training that will further my knowledge base and possibly narrow my focus while playing the game I love. 

Why am I good candidate for your team?  My deep love of the game and my perseverance for excellence ensures that I will give you my all.  I know that I don't know it all, that there is always room to improve or take a different approach and I welcome the challenge.  I will succeed making you succeed.