A couple weeks ago I was struck by a post with Noe Meza's quote, "I find myself continually grateful for the support I have within my family, friends, and Seattle U Athletic Community." I have since read and been following the stories of the Redhawk Tribune, recounting stories of seasons cut short, dreams of competing crushed, and strength found within these difficult times. I am continually impressed by the grace, courage and strength of the athletes whom have joined the Seattle U community since I left in 2014. However, I cannot say I am surprised, because what I hear shared in these stories reflects exactly what I felt upon graduating and leaving my sport behind six years ago. The values and sentiments shared are what I still carry with me today.
My heart goes out to all the students and athletes whom found this year coming to an abrupt halt, to the seasons lost, the championships never played, the banquets, the ceremonies, the celebrations that never came to be. The hours upon hours of training, dedication, and sacrifices made to perform, perfect, and prepare that never came to fruition. I cannot imagine the heartbreak, the confusion, the loss that comes with such an unexpected turn of events. Nobody anticipated a global pandemic that brought our world to a halt and turned our lives as we knew it upside down.
I still remember my final game played with Seattle U, sitting on that field as my days as a student-athlete were suddenly over. In that moment, and to this day, however, my thoughts were not on the winning, the losing, the end of my time as a student-athlete, but how grateful I was that I was on that side of the field with Seattle U. I am continually reminded of this as I see the SU athletes of today reflect on and share their experiences. I would not trade being a part of that team and that community for anything. The values learned from being a part of the SU athletic community have far outlasted that final game. What I learned and gained through the time with my team, my coaches, and community will last me a lifetime.
I do not live in Seattle anymore, I am not actively a part of the SU community at this time, but some of my teammates are my best friends, and those whom I am not in close contact with will always share memories with me that are special and unique. When I am able to attend alumni events, those of the athletic community all share similar memories and a common understanding of what it means to be a part of the SU community, regardless of how our time came to an end. It's the memories, the friendships, and the values that we all took away that matter most. The wins and losses were great, but the biggest win was what we learned and carry with us today.
In a speech my senior year I spoke of the University's mission to educate the whole person, to professional formation, and to empower leaders for a just and humane world. I shared that the athletic department had shaped me not only as an athlete, but more importantly as a person with a strong foundation from which I could start my life as I graduated and headed off into the world. This could not be more true than today. From my time at Seattle U, I learned the value of teamwork, of friendship, of working together toward a common goal. I learned the value of dedication, of hard work, of sacrifice.
As I work on the front lines during this global pandemic, these values guide my daily practice. It's the strength and power of teamwork within my unit while working towards a common goal that keeps me going. It's the dedication to our patients that keeps me focused while isolating and making sacrifices at home. It's the friendships I hold near and dear that bring me strength to keep going back, to find joy amidst the sadness. It's the education I received focused on creating a just and humane world that allows me to view this pandemic for what it is: a tragedy, but also a time to reflect and learn, to advocate for those who need it most. I have been heartbroken by the loss, the grief, the ability of this virus to flip our world upside down.
This pandemic has brought to light our lack of control, the injustices and disparities of our world, and our need for one another. However, I have been humbled by the outreach of the community, the power of faith, the ways in which people have come together while socially isolated. I have been inspired by the good in the world and strength by individuals everywhere to endure such difficult times. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for my health and my community, the little things that make my life so full, and my time at Seattle U that shaped so much of who I am today.
With that, to all of the SU community, especially the senior athletes: I am not here to say that what you have lost is not justified, everything you are feeling is absolutely true and worth grieving. You lost something big, something I myself cannot imagine, but I do believe what you will remember and have gained will be much bigger. You have already shown this through your courage to step away, the grace in letting go, and everything you have done during your time at SU up until now. All the hours of training and sacrifices made are not for nothing, they are for something much bigger: the game of life.
For those who have written in the Redhawk Tribune, thank you. Your stories inspire me, give me strength, and remind me of how grateful I am to be a part of the Redhawk family. For the countless others who are at home, I see you, and my heart goes out to you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers, and I wish you strength, courage and grace during these difficult times. Stay safe, stay home, and Go Redhawks 3
Julia Besagno, '14
Julia was a member of the Seattle U women's soccer team from 2010-13, capping her career by earning NSCAA/Continental Tire All-West Region Third Team honors, Capital One Academic All-America Second Team honors and the Eddie O'Brien Female Student-Athlete of the Year award. She graduated magna cum laude from SU in 2014 with a B.S. in nursing and went on to work at Seattle Children's Hospital before moving to Boston where she currently works as a nurse in pediatric oncology on the inpatient unit at Boston Children's Hospital.
My heart goes out to all the students and athletes whom found this year coming to an abrupt halt, to the seasons lost, the championships never played, the banquets, the ceremonies, the celebrations that never came to be. The hours upon hours of training, dedication, and sacrifices made to perform, perfect, and prepare that never came to fruition. I cannot imagine the heartbreak, the confusion, the loss that comes with such an unexpected turn of events. Nobody anticipated a global pandemic that brought our world to a halt and turned our lives as we knew it upside down.
I still remember my final game played with Seattle U, sitting on that field as my days as a student-athlete were suddenly over. In that moment, and to this day, however, my thoughts were not on the winning, the losing, the end of my time as a student-athlete, but how grateful I was that I was on that side of the field with Seattle U. I am continually reminded of this as I see the SU athletes of today reflect on and share their experiences. I would not trade being a part of that team and that community for anything. The values learned from being a part of the SU athletic community have far outlasted that final game. What I learned and gained through the time with my team, my coaches, and community will last me a lifetime.
I do not live in Seattle anymore, I am not actively a part of the SU community at this time, but some of my teammates are my best friends, and those whom I am not in close contact with will always share memories with me that are special and unique. When I am able to attend alumni events, those of the athletic community all share similar memories and a common understanding of what it means to be a part of the SU community, regardless of how our time came to an end. It's the memories, the friendships, and the values that we all took away that matter most. The wins and losses were great, but the biggest win was what we learned and carry with us today.
In a speech my senior year I spoke of the University's mission to educate the whole person, to professional formation, and to empower leaders for a just and humane world. I shared that the athletic department had shaped me not only as an athlete, but more importantly as a person with a strong foundation from which I could start my life as I graduated and headed off into the world. This could not be more true than today. From my time at Seattle U, I learned the value of teamwork, of friendship, of working together toward a common goal. I learned the value of dedication, of hard work, of sacrifice.
As I work on the front lines during this global pandemic, these values guide my daily practice. It's the strength and power of teamwork within my unit while working towards a common goal that keeps me going. It's the dedication to our patients that keeps me focused while isolating and making sacrifices at home. It's the friendships I hold near and dear that bring me strength to keep going back, to find joy amidst the sadness. It's the education I received focused on creating a just and humane world that allows me to view this pandemic for what it is: a tragedy, but also a time to reflect and learn, to advocate for those who need it most. I have been heartbroken by the loss, the grief, the ability of this virus to flip our world upside down.
This pandemic has brought to light our lack of control, the injustices and disparities of our world, and our need for one another. However, I have been humbled by the outreach of the community, the power of faith, the ways in which people have come together while socially isolated. I have been inspired by the good in the world and strength by individuals everywhere to endure such difficult times. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for my health and my community, the little things that make my life so full, and my time at Seattle U that shaped so much of who I am today.
With that, to all of the SU community, especially the senior athletes: I am not here to say that what you have lost is not justified, everything you are feeling is absolutely true and worth grieving. You lost something big, something I myself cannot imagine, but I do believe what you will remember and have gained will be much bigger. You have already shown this through your courage to step away, the grace in letting go, and everything you have done during your time at SU up until now. All the hours of training and sacrifices made are not for nothing, they are for something much bigger: the game of life.
For those who have written in the Redhawk Tribune, thank you. Your stories inspire me, give me strength, and remind me of how grateful I am to be a part of the Redhawk family. For the countless others who are at home, I see you, and my heart goes out to you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers, and I wish you strength, courage and grace during these difficult times. Stay safe, stay home, and Go Redhawks 3
Julia Besagno, '14
Julia was a member of the Seattle U women's soccer team from 2010-13, capping her career by earning NSCAA/Continental Tire All-West Region Third Team honors, Capital One Academic All-America Second Team honors and the Eddie O'Brien Female Student-Athlete of the Year award. She graduated magna cum laude from SU in 2014 with a B.S. in nursing and went on to work at Seattle Children's Hospital before moving to Boston where she currently works as a nurse in pediatric oncology on the inpatient unit at Boston Children's Hospital.