Senior athletes are beginning to reflect on their four-year journey defined by growth and persistence. For many, the transition from their first freshman practice to their final senior game marks a significant period of personal development.
Senior Markus McCoy has been a constant presence in sports throughout his high school career. As he approaches his final games, we discuss the lessons learned and what it means for him.
Q: Can you reflect on the transitions as an athlete from a freshman to a senior?
A: The transition was anything but easy. It was a struggle finding a good group of friends, being the one guy that a large number of people talk to. Being cool with everybody causes drama and distractions. Eventually, as a senior, I was able to find a good staple group of friends.
To be more athletic based in the beginning, juggling the load of being a football player and trying to be a good student at first was hard. I didn’t take my academics seriously as I took my athletics, so my grades dropped, and my GPA went with it. However, once I realized that I wouldn’t be able to keep playing sports if my grades were low, I put in the work to turn it around, and the work got easier in the next grade levels.
Q: Can you describe the difference in how you felt your first game in freshman year vs. how you felt the last game of your senior year?
A: I was very nervous, I really didn’t wanna mess up. My last game was very different. I was ready to go and leave everything on the field; if anything, I was more worried about not going out on the field and leaving it all out there.
Q: Can you reflect on how being a student-athlete all four years has affected you?
A: Being a student athlete was definitely challenging, but I wouldn’t change my path for anything; it has taught me discipline, humility, responsibility, etc. Being that I was a student athlete, I was always held to a higher standard than other students, and as much as I thought it was unfair and I hated it, it made me who I am today, and taught me a good deal of qualities and traits I’m going to use in life even when I’m done with sports.
Q: Can you talk about yourself outside of football? Who are you?
A: I am the guy you can come to. I am also the guy that you can call when you need something. Coming from humble backgrounds, it taught me to never judge another person based on character or personality. Lastly, I am very out-going and I love making new friends, especially with people who don’t have many.
