So, I've been racking my brain all day figuring out the best way to introduce myself to the new Haze players and shout out to the returners from across the sea...and I haven't really come up with anything that special. But seeing as the Maryland tourney got canceled this weekend and because of that I was pissed enough to do an extra few sets of stairs tonight, I decided to just suck it up and write whatever came to mind.
For those of you that don't know me, my name's Quinton (Qma, Q, Rampage...the list of nicknames go on) and I'm one of the captains for Haze this year. The reason you haven't met me yet is because I am studying abroad for the fall semester in London. Don't worry I'll be back soon.
For those lucky returners who DO know me...WHAT UP!? I want to hear from you guys. How's the fall treating you? How're practices? Is Nova pushing you guys in the gym? Seriously, email me with as many updates as you can/want.
(if you wanna stop reading here, that's cool. this is where i just update you on my London life and ramble):
Not a day goes by that I'm not thinking about you guys. Seriously, it's kinda sad. Before last season, I had never pushed myself harder physically or mentally as I did with you all at practices and workouts. That is, until now, since I find myself having to run stairs without my teammates leading the way in front of me and urging me on from below. I know you guys have started workouts, and let me tell you, the only joy I take out of running stairs and doing sprints is knowing that you guys are doing the same (if not more). I've been playing decent pickup 2 times a week here in London and plan to try fitting a college team's practices and tournaments into my schedule soon. In terms of workouts, I do 2 stair workouts/week followed by an upper body/ab thing. The stairway here is a little different than Coles, so instead of what you guys are doin, I started with 5x10stories the first 2 weeks, and now am doin 5x12 stories and plan to increase these sets soon. Aside from stairs, I!
'm running on off days to build up my stamina, because when I get back, I plan to earn my spot on the field as much as any of you.
I really hope all of you are training hard and getting your work done on time so you can dedicate your mind and body to the team during practices. I am confident in Lu and Chooch's ability to lead the team this fall and I hope all of you will listen and learn from them as much as possible (as well as listen to Finkel and Schulz since they've got some serious years under their belts too)
To the returners: Every single one of you has an important role on this team. Maybe you're a playmaker who everyone ooh's and ahhs at. Maybe you do so much work on the field that no one even notices you're there. Whoever you are, you have to lead by example when it comes to attendance, effort, willingness to help, and perhaps more importantly a willingness to learn and improve yourself as a player and teammate. What makes a team great is not only the player with the best athletic abilities, but also the player who knows his ability's limits and uses them to help his teammates improve/succeed (without being a dick about it). Furthermore, to me, what makes a great leader is the person who doesn't want to have the power to lead, but the one who steps up when his team needs him. I hope he doesn't mind me speaking on his behalf, but I know Lu didn't want to be captain this year. However, I asked him to b/c I knew he'd be a good captain and he accepted because he knew his team nee!
ded him. So help him do his job by doing yours.
To the new guys: if you're still reading this...(impressive) I hope that you enjoy your first semester playing on this team. I've made my best friends in college though Haze/Femmes and I hope you guys will learn to love the team and this sport as much as I do.
Lastly, the fall is about getting to know each other and throwing ALOT, so go out and throw every chance you get before it starts getting cold and shitty in NYC. Always have a disc in your bag (and if you dont have one, buy one from Lu) b/c just tossing the disc from hand to hand while your bored will help your catching ability on the field. Seriously, I think my freshman year I threw almost every day after class until it got dark and even past that time. It's a great way to learn how to throw/catch plus you'll get to know each other better. Keep your heads up about this weekend, it sucks having a tournament canceled like that, but just train harder so that the next tournament you do go to, you'll kick ass even more. Stupid shit like a cut budget or a thunderstorm canceling a tournament (last year) could happen any time, but it's how you guys make the best with what you have that will ultimately determine this fall and spring's success.
Drop me an email whenever you can.
~Qma
3 years ago