ZU Magazine is a publication of ZU Media. Below is an article from Issue 4, “Character.”
Staff Writer | Jourdan Jefferson
“You’re cut.”
These are two of the most heartstopping words any athlete can hear. In the best of circumstances, these words can build a person’s character and challenge her or him to overcome obstacles, but they can also break an individual down. Such words can lead to feelings of betrayal and confusion.
In sports terminology, being “cut” is synonymous with being completely removed from the team. The person no longer attends practices, games, matches or any other team activities. In comparison, someone who is “benched” is still on the team, but receives no playing time, unless she or he is absolutely needed.
Photo by Riley McCullough on Unsplash
Former Cal State Dominguez basketball player Kerah Natividad said, “As star player from my junior college, and transferring to a university, I was excited and ready to play, but reality set in once I was barely getting any playing time on the court.”
“I started to lose my confidence and was questioning if I was good enough to continue to play ball. At the time, this was a minor setback for me and my career, but at the end of the day, I was able to walk away knowing I gave it my all,” she said.
Junior applied exercise science major Electa Wright was cut from the Azusa Pacific tennis team in December of 2017. Wright has played tennis since the sixth grade and has been a part of APU’s women’s team since her freshman year. Not only was her faith tested, but also her patience.
“Being cut from the team did not hurt my character how I thought it would. It actually strengthened mine because I had to stand up for myself,” Wright said. “It was at this moment I knew everything was in God’s hand … instead of me questioning his ways, I let him guide me.”
Wright also said she saw her situation as a blessing in disguise as she was able to focus more on her schooling.
The impact of being cut can weigh heavily. This is, in part, due to the number of hours and effort put into their sports. Sports, it seems, are embedded in the character of those who pursue them seriously. Through sports, athletes work as a team and learn humility and perseverance along with other mental and emotional qualities.
According to UB Fitness, there are 10 key aspects of sports that can help build an athlete’s character. These include practicing good sportsmanship, learning to manage stress, growing friendships, gaining wisdom and encouragement and developing a healthy mind and body, among other things listed.
After being cut from her team, former Mount San Antonio College track and field athlete Ashani Sullivan said, “I didn’t get discouraged but instead, it made me more determined to prove to not only myself that I can be the best I could be, but I wanted to prove a point to my coaches and make them realize they were making a mistake.”
Athletes who have been cut or benched have faced a great set of challenges within their athletic careers. But overcoming these is a large part of what molds and shapes an athlete’s character. In the end, it is up to the athletes to trust the process and find themselves while doing so.