The Life of an NCAA athlete

Today I finished my last college assignment ever. I am now OFFICIALLY graduated from college. I capitalize officially because I have been checked out for months. With the turning in of my EXSC 310 Final exam I was hit with a bitter sweet feeling. I started to think back to the previous 4 years at the path my life has taken. I have grown dramatically throughout my years in college. If my high school self met my college self they would not recognize each other. Maturity is a crazy thing, and it took me way to long to get it but it there now. Not sure if by choice or because I have to be mature. It is now time to grow up and step out into the real world. No more 90 blackouts the day before a midterm, no more greek life exchanges, no more lying to professors to get extensions on assignments. You get fired for stuff like that out in the real world.  

Back to the path I traveled, its crazy to me how one little thing can effect someones attitude so dramatically. Four years ago (heck one year ago) if you asked me where I be today, I would have told you getting ready for nationals and olympic trials. But to be honest Im not even sure if I will qualify for either this year. I still have the talent, but somewhere over the course of this year I lost the heart for it. Which really sucks because as a senior I made a promise to myself by giving this pass year a theme and its not YOLO, but it is No Regrets. Looking back on this track season I regret not being 100% invested and it sucks because for those of you who know anything about track, if you dont put in the hard work before the season, when season comes around and your heart gets back into it…its to late, you run like crap. But with that one regret I did make quite a few memories and friendships that I believe will last forever. My no regrets attitude helped to start the creation of the scum squad which is something I desperately needed this year. That strong group of core good friends is essential, most of my best memories from this senior year include someone in the squad. So I’d like to thank them greatly and cant wait to start the next chapter with them.

Some memories that I will never forget my time at USC

1. USC beating Ohio State 35-3 (first ever home game)

2. Pi Kappa Alpha pledge term

3. COACHELLA 2012

4. USC beating UCLA 50-0 (last home game ever

5. USC track take over of USA Junior team 

6. USC track team take over of last PAC 10 afterparty

7. NYE Austin Texas

8. wednesDRAIS, friDRAIS, saturDRAIS, and pool party sunDRAIS

9. DUAL meet Victories 2009 & 2010

10. Qualifying for nationals as a freshman

And many many others

Anyways not like anyone is going to read this but I just want to thank everyone that was apart of my life during this crazy journey. I can not wait to see where my degree takes me but if I learned anything at USC it is that my degree can take me anywhere I want to go, with wealthy important people willing to help at anytime. Trojan Family!!!

Fight ON

Blake Shaw - USC Alumni