Kelly Damore '22 Recruiting Profile

It is difficult for anyone to sum up one's personal life in a few short words, without sounding trite or hackneyed. However, it is my intention to let you know a bit about myself in a manner that conveys both my uniqueness and my potential as a collegiate athlete and student. 

Some athletes adhere to the motto, "Just Do It", as described by Nike. However, I have always preferred to wear ASICS. The name ASICS is actually an acronym which stands for, "anima sana in corpore sano", that is, a sound mind in a sound body.  

This is who I am. 

I believe that the purpose of a college experience is to learn all that one can academically, in preparation for one' s life. This is the essence of a sound mind. However, the ideas and concepts we learn, can take us only so far without a sound and healthy body to carry us where we need to go.  In the movie Dead  Poets Society, Mr. Keating, played by Robin Williams, reminds his soccer team, that "sports are an opportunity to have other human beings push us to excel". 

I believe this.

It has been my experience that being well coached is the same as being well pushed. In the process of becoming comfortable with being pushed towards excellence on the field, I have become much more comfortable and confident in having teachers push me in the classroom. The experience of athletics and academics are inseparable to me. While it is true that student always comes before athlete in "student athlete", like my ASICS sneakers, I always strive to possess  a sound mind in a sound body.  Character is often found at the interface of these two.  

In academics and athletics, anticipation is very important. If you watch me play, you will often see me surveying the field, like a general might during a battle. I am always processing what will happen next. I love to play defense, because it affords me the opportunity to be involved in the entire play.  I see where the ball is going, and I see it when it is coming. I direct my teammates, and communicate with my goalie.  It has been said to me that, " if your heart isn't  in it, you can't win it."  I have found this to be universally true in athletics and academics.  When I step on the "battlefield", whether on the turf or in a classroom, I always apply my entire heart and soul.