Fom the desk of the Director of Athletics…

'The power is in your hands'

If you haven't heard, our women's volleyball team has won the regular season East Coast Conference title and is hosting the ECC Championship tournament this weekend.  As the number one seed, the pressure is on; however, I have watched their matches and observed that when they play, they know the power is in their hands.  They know if they stay focused and play like a team, a win will be the outcome.  They have played from behind, regrouped and finished as the victors.  They have played strong from the beginning, hit their rhythm and didn't look back as they quickly defeated that opponent.  The women on this team feel the power in their hands with every serve, every set, every swing.  This weekend, they will fight for every point.   Teams will want to psych them out and try to break their concentration.  As a team, they must fire from all cylinders, work together and focus on their goal, one point at a time.  If the plan comes together, this will be a sight to see.  We play at 6 PM on Friday, November 9 in the semifinals, and the championship will be played 6 PM on Saturday, November 10.

The student-athletes, organized by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, have begun a canned food drive for the month of November.  They understand that the power to help those in our community is in the palm of their hands.  Through the promotion of this community service initiative, I am reminded that the power is in my hands to make a difference in the lives of others.  It is in the power of our department, to make a difference in our community.  Our student-athletes are promoting a canned food drive for the Tiger's Den Food Pantry, right here in Snyder/Amherst.  Donations are being accepted of canned or boxed foods at the Athletic Department, in collection containers. The power is in our hands to make a difference in the lives of local families in our community.   

The power is in our hands to be the best we can be.  Whether it is being the best competitor, fan or the best neighbor, we control who we are.  Take some time this month to think about what you are grateful for and use the power in your hands to share your good fortune with others.

Traci Murphy
Director of Athletics