Psy/311 Week 3 Individual Assignment

“Each year, when hockey season starts, Mr. Allen walks a little faster, holds his chin a little higher, and smiles a little brighter.” A week into our season- Saturday, December 5th, 2015 – it was game day, we would be traveling to a school in Massachusetts. There was 17 of us on the team; 3 freshmen, 6 sophomores, 1 junior, 7 seniors. Majority of us were at the school because of the head coach, Ed Allen. He was the type of man you wanted to play for, work your hardest for, but more importantly he was the type of man you wanted to be around, to talk to, and to listen to the very few but wise words he said. His biggest thing was being relentless and being selfless; to have a what can I give, not a what can I get attitude.
On December 5th at

12pm, classes ended and the chapel bells rang, which was unusual. The whole student body gathered in the chapel, our school reverend told us there was a terrible accident involving Mr. Allen and his two young daughters. The whole school was shocked, and the campus seemed to get a dull grueling vibe. We were instructed to go on about our day and we would have another meeting once they found out more information. It was around 2pm, the chapel bells rang again, the whole school wearily gathered back in the chapel where we received more news; “it is with my deepest regret to say that Mr. Allen did not make it.” The school went into pure devastating panic. My legs weak and whole body shaking, all I could do was sit on the floor of the chapel and cry. The girls’ varsity hockey team gathered to be together and to support each other, although it seemed like none of us knew what to do. It is then that I realized what being a team is all about.
None of us knew how we would ever recover from this, it seemed like our season was over, we would just give up. However, we knew that would be the completely opposite thing Mr. Allen would want us to do. Monday, December 7th, the team decided to practice. Stepping on the ice was one of the hardest things we had to do since hearing the news. We supported each other and the coaches motivated us. Stride by stride, we were able to do it together. Wednesday, December 9th, we had our home opener against our biggest rivals, it was questionable if we were going to play, but we all wanted to – for Mr. Allen. We played our hardest, we played together, and we played for Coach Allen. From there our difficult season went on with high points and low points, but we continued to be relentless and to be selfless trying to honor Mr. Allen in everything we did. The team became role models to the school community; everyone thought if the team can play and work hard then we can too.
My teammates and my coaches made me become a better person. Together we endured the pain and preserved. They taught me how to be strong even if it seemed impossible, but to not be afraid to lean on others in tough times. The coaches showed me and taught me what being sincere, motivating, and being amazing role models looks like. These lessons have grown me into adulthood with everlasting life lessons I would never have learned if I didn’t have my team to teach me and to learn with during our darkest moments. Just one sentence on Saturday, December 5th, turned my life upside down. Mr. Allen, the team, and the school community has made me realize what being supportive, strong, and relentless really means.