Riley Giblin '21 Recruiting Profile

One of the most challenging experiences  I had was during one of my softball seasons with a coach who I found to be mentally draining, destroyed my confidence and made me feel like I had nothing to offer to the team.  

I left that team thinking I was not a good player and that I wouldn't develop or go anywhere in the sport.   After that experience I questioned myself and my abilities and was ready to walk away from the game forever.   

Thankfully, my mom offered some words of  encouragement and reminded me of the athlete I was and that is when I decided that I wasn't going to let one coach define who I was as a player.  I thought about all the hard work I had put in, my moms words of wisdom and decided that I wasn't going to allow his disparaging words to ,effect me or change my course and it was then that I worked harder on my game. 

I went to a few tryouts and found a team and a coach who have helped me become the player I am today.  I have been with the CT Tigers for 5 years now and my coaches are the most supportive, encouraging, dedicated, and motivated coaches I have ever had.  These past  5 years have been some of best days, playing with the same teammates, and same coaches, all working together as one unit.  

Looking back now I can honestly say that I am thankful for that experience because it brought me to the team that helped me grow as a player.  It gave me the fortitude to be able to work through struggles I have encountered like any other  player while making me the player that I am today. 

When I was younger my mom always encouraged me to try new things especially new sports.  I played soccer for 10 years, basketball for 5, volleyball and softball since the age of 9.  Softball has always been the sport that I have been most drawn too, I love watching it, playing it, and talking about the game, I simply love all aspects of it. 

When I am playing I am always doing my best, always striving and working to become better, stronger, faster and eventually the best player I can possibly be.   In addition, to working hard on my game I work even harder to maintain good grades.  I'm not going to lie it can be hard at times to find the balance between playing sports, working part time and maintaining good grades in school but as I mature I am learning that time management is important and the key to being successful. 

Managing my time now, prioritizing  and continuing to be diligent with my work ethic will prepare me for my next journey in college.