Bronco Soccer PRIDE!

November 8, 2009

Today is a great day to be a Bronco. Today is a day of mixed emotions. Today the Boise State soccer team won the WAC Championship game against Nevada, a first for this "established" program. Now it's on to the NCAA Women's Cup.

Blood, Sweat, and Tears comes to mind. The thrill of VICTORY and the AGONY of defeat. That is why we love the game. I think I can speak on behalf of many of my Bronco brethren when I say that hard work, heart and drive was never the reason team's past didn't live the Women's Cup dream. Soccer was our LIFE. We came to Boise State wanting to be a part of something new, something BIG, something we could be proud of! We were Division I College Athletes!

So much has changed since 1999 when I first walked onto what was then the brand new BOAS soccer "practice field." We were sponsored by Diadora at the time...not Nike. We drove out to a multiple field soccer complex to play our home games, no scoreboard, and we were in the Big West Conference....you may have heard of it?? 2001 we joined the WAC. I was a part of the team that experienced some of the worst losses in the history of the program, but we also had some pretty sweet wins! Beating SMU will always stand out! So much changed just in the 5 years I was there...The logo even changed!

Today it is hard not to feel a tad bit envious of the Lady Broncos who are currently living a dream so many past Broncos worked so hard to achieve. I'm definitely happy for the girls who are a part of a successful program. A program I am proud to say my teammates and I helped build. BLOOD, SWEAT, TEARS.

Those 5 years flew by, but they were some of the best 5 years of my life. I'm definitely a part of something big. I'm a part of Bronco Nation as cliche as it may sound. It was so nice to be able to pick up the phone after the game today and talk to a fellow BSU teammate, Molicious #11. It is nice knowing she has some of the same mixed emotions about this VICTORY for our program. It's pretty awesome having teammates...friends for life...who share a bond that can't be matched. Today has been a reminder...

I happened to be playing a game in my old women's league at the exact time the Broncos were beating Nevada. Little Darby was sitting on the sideline enjoying not only the action on the field, but the muddy grass as well. Maybe a future Bronco? I can only hope she has some of the same opportunities and experiences as me. I did get a little sad knowing I would never get another chance to put on that Blue and Orange jersey. Knowing I would never get to play with the ol' teammates in front of a sell out crowd. Knowing I would never go through another preseaon training camp. Knowing I would never get the chance to play in the Women's Cup.

That's OK though. I'm soooo happy for the Broncs and can't wait to see them play this week in the first round. I know how hard they've worked...

THE THRILL OF VICTORY!

It's a great day to be a Bronco...Touche!