I wrote my first article for The Setonian’s Sports section three years ago in the spring. It was a women’s basketball game where the Pirates won 84-58 against Butler. Now, as I try to write this editorial years later, around the same time, I can’t even begin to fathom how to put my time here at Seton Hall on a single page. So, I won’t. I’ll write about the biggest lesson I learned through four years of covering sports in college.
My final game working at the Prudential Center was not a storybook ending. It was a brutal loss for the men’s basketball team that likely crushed their hopes of making it to the NCAA Tournament. The press conference was awkward, I asked a stupid question, and I got home super late. When I pulled into the lot of the Rock that day, I wanted to have my last game at Prudential end on a high note. I wanted to watch a great game, write an amazing article, and ask an insightful question during the press conference.
It didn’t end that way. And that’s ok.
The one thing I can say about these four years in college is that things didn’t go the way that I planned them to go. It was far from the ideal college experience. I may not see some of the people I met here ever again. There were times I should have worked harder, times I should’ve taken care of myself, and times when I lost sight of what I’m doing this for. And yet, another day awaits me when I wake up tomorrow.
That’s the most beautiful thing about sports.
A great baseball player always steps up to the plate again. The best shooters aren’t discouraged after a miss. The best running backs always move forward.
The Setonian gave me the opportunity to learn lessons from sports. I got to see players cry, to see players smile, and most of all to see those players get up and fight when they get knocked down. SHU isn’t exactly known for elite sports. In fact, we lose a lot. And that’s ok.
I’ve watched so many games in college that I can’t possibly remember every single one. But what I do remember are the lessons I learned from those games. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.
Graduation is right around the corner, and for me, that is a sign that I didn’t give up. Because I stepped up to the plate no matter what. Today, I can say that I’m happy with who I’ve become— because when I step up to the plate after a failure, I do it with the help of my best friends, my family, and Jesus Christ.
I want to end this piece with a motto that summarizes my whole college experience.
Hazard zet Forward – In spite of hazards, go forward.
To The Setonian and SHU, thanks for giving me a shot.
Christian Hui is the assistant editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at christian.hui@student.shu.edu.
