University of Richmond Athletics
Spider Voices: Growing The Game
04/08/2019 | Women's Lacrosse, Spider Voices
By: Maria McDonough, Senior, Women's Lacrosse
Every year, collegiate athletes choose to dedicate countless hours a week to playing a sport that they love. For us athletes, this sport is so much more than just an everyday activity; it is test of physical and mental discipline, a conduit for crucial life skills, a facilitator of lifelong friendships, and a game of a lifetime. For me, lacrosse has been that lifeline to get me through all the good and the bad. Now, as my time at Richmond comes to a close, I am bringing the game that has given me so much into the next chapter of my life… to Panama! Â
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From Virginia to Nicaragua, and now Panama, the international nonprofit organization Lacrosse the Nations (LtN) exemplifies how the positive power of lacrosse transcends language and crosses oceans. Through partnerships with various local organizations and schools, LtN utilizes sport for grassroots development around the world. Its mission rests on bringing joy and influential change to local youths in resource-limited areas by way of after-school programs, in-school PE classes, extracurricular activities, and daily lacrosse practices. Change is their goal; lacrosse is just their tool. How incredible! What graduating athlete wouldn't want to be a part of this? Fortunately for me, Richmond Women's Lacrosse alum Brooke Wilson, '16, now works for LtN after her own long-term volunteership in Nicaragua two years ago. With her encouragement and my boldness to try something new, we were able to make this happen. Beginning one month after graduation in May, I will be bringing my suitcase and lacrosse sticks with me to Panama to be LtN's next Program Director!
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My relationship with LtN actually began several years ago. I first heard about LtN through a teammate of mine back in high school. Her family happened to be very close with the founders of the organization and her mom thought a trip to its original location in Costa Rica would be great way to spread awareness of its mission. Though it was a brief two-week spring break trip, it was one that left a lasting impact. From running PE classes to playing pick-up lacrosse in the evenings and getting a glimpse of what life is like in another part of the world, the memories have stayed with me. Since then, five of my current teammates (Julie Ball, Danni LeServe, Abby Lord, Madison Ostrick, and Maddie Finnen) have volunteered in the summer months for LtN in Nicaragua. And, even better, Richmond Women's Lacrosse has decided to transform our upcoming game against Davidson into a fundraiser for LtN. So, it seems to be my time again to turn my passions into reality.
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As an International Studies major seeking to begin a career in the social impact sector, I could not be more excited for this six-month volunteer adventure with LtN. Not only will it provide me with the on-the-ground experience that I need to jumpstart my professional career in international development, but I will discover how small organizations grow and manage in challenging situations. Innovation, flexibility, and improvisation are going to become my new middle name. While this certainly seems daunting to me, it is a challenge I must accept and welcome for my own personal development. Entering a new country where I do not know the spoken language forces me to rise to the occasion. I will acquire a new language skill (Spanish), gain a novel understanding of Panamanian culture, and, most importantly, put my academic and athletic experiences into action.
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My time at Richmond and the sport of lacrosse have taught me priceless lessons that I cannot wait to bring with me to Latin America. From the importance of team solidarity and persistence when things don't go your way, to how anthropology informs our everyday life and the power of sport to brighten a day, these lessons have crafted me into the person I am today. For this and so much more, I am beyond grateful for the opportunity that LtN has made possible and am excited to take the first step towards a lifetime focused on improving the lives of youths around the world.
Â
Every year, collegiate athletes choose to dedicate countless hours a week to playing a sport that they love. For us athletes, this sport is so much more than just an everyday activity; it is test of physical and mental discipline, a conduit for crucial life skills, a facilitator of lifelong friendships, and a game of a lifetime. For me, lacrosse has been that lifeline to get me through all the good and the bad. Now, as my time at Richmond comes to a close, I am bringing the game that has given me so much into the next chapter of my life… to Panama! Â
Â
From Virginia to Nicaragua, and now Panama, the international nonprofit organization Lacrosse the Nations (LtN) exemplifies how the positive power of lacrosse transcends language and crosses oceans. Through partnerships with various local organizations and schools, LtN utilizes sport for grassroots development around the world. Its mission rests on bringing joy and influential change to local youths in resource-limited areas by way of after-school programs, in-school PE classes, extracurricular activities, and daily lacrosse practices. Change is their goal; lacrosse is just their tool. How incredible! What graduating athlete wouldn't want to be a part of this? Fortunately for me, Richmond Women's Lacrosse alum Brooke Wilson, '16, now works for LtN after her own long-term volunteership in Nicaragua two years ago. With her encouragement and my boldness to try something new, we were able to make this happen. Beginning one month after graduation in May, I will be bringing my suitcase and lacrosse sticks with me to Panama to be LtN's next Program Director!
Â
My relationship with LtN actually began several years ago. I first heard about LtN through a teammate of mine back in high school. Her family happened to be very close with the founders of the organization and her mom thought a trip to its original location in Costa Rica would be great way to spread awareness of its mission. Though it was a brief two-week spring break trip, it was one that left a lasting impact. From running PE classes to playing pick-up lacrosse in the evenings and getting a glimpse of what life is like in another part of the world, the memories have stayed with me. Since then, five of my current teammates (Julie Ball, Danni LeServe, Abby Lord, Madison Ostrick, and Maddie Finnen) have volunteered in the summer months for LtN in Nicaragua. And, even better, Richmond Women's Lacrosse has decided to transform our upcoming game against Davidson into a fundraiser for LtN. So, it seems to be my time again to turn my passions into reality.
Â
As an International Studies major seeking to begin a career in the social impact sector, I could not be more excited for this six-month volunteer adventure with LtN. Not only will it provide me with the on-the-ground experience that I need to jumpstart my professional career in international development, but I will discover how small organizations grow and manage in challenging situations. Innovation, flexibility, and improvisation are going to become my new middle name. While this certainly seems daunting to me, it is a challenge I must accept and welcome for my own personal development. Entering a new country where I do not know the spoken language forces me to rise to the occasion. I will acquire a new language skill (Spanish), gain a novel understanding of Panamanian culture, and, most importantly, put my academic and athletic experiences into action.
Â
My time at Richmond and the sport of lacrosse have taught me priceless lessons that I cannot wait to bring with me to Latin America. From the importance of team solidarity and persistence when things don't go your way, to how anthropology informs our everyday life and the power of sport to brighten a day, these lessons have crafted me into the person I am today. For this and so much more, I am beyond grateful for the opportunity that LtN has made possible and am excited to take the first step towards a lifetime focused on improving the lives of youths around the world.
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Players Mentioned
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