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ice hockey THE TRYOUT BY FRANK STAGLIANO. WALL HIGH SCHOOL NEW JERSEY
Trying out for a high level team is never an easy thing to do. I was
thirteen when I decided to take the leap from Tier II ice hockey to Tier I.
I felt I had the talent and the skill, but there was always an
inkling of uncertainty whenever I tried out for a new team.
When I walked into the rink the day of the tryout, my heart felt as if it was going to pierce through my chest at any moment. The team was the New Jersey Titans, a AAA hockey organization, which is the highest level of potential participation for a person my age. I was coming from a less competitive AA team, and switching from one organization to another gave me the feeling of complete isolation and self doubt. I only recognized a few people in the locker room as everybody strapped up in their own unique way. My nerves were getting the best of me and I prayed everything was going to turn out in my favor. When I hit the ice, however, all of the nervousness went away. I played like I had something to prove, and I did. I was never the biggest or strongest player on the ice, but I was able to use my speed, agility, and smarts to stand out from the crowd. Ever since I started playing hockey, I always felt that I had to go that extra mile. Being a small guy meant that I not only had to prove my hockey skill but my toughness as well. I can honestly say now that I enjoy that feeling of being an underdog and having the deck stacked against me. As the tryout progressed, my confidence improved each day. |
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On the last day, the roster was posted after the skate. I shimmied my way through the crowd and low and behold, Frank Stagliano was on the list. Having all my hard work pay off was one of the best feelings in the world. The tryout was over, but my effort wasn't. I worked my way up to become one of the top players on the team. The next year I was named captain by the players, a true honor. It gave me a great sense of pride knowing my peers wanted me to lead them through the season. I still play for the Titans today, and I have learned both hockey skills and life skills along the way. First, I learned that if I am committed to a goal then I should never give up on my dream. I also learned to stop doubting myself, no matter what the odds. Lastly, the experience of being the captain of the team gave me the confidence to accept other leadership roles. Now,as I begin my college experience I look forward to new challenges as I follow my dreams and develop into a leader with integrity and vision. |
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