Northwestern University Athletics
"Dear Northwestern" - By Sydney Supple
6/14/2023 3:38:00 PM | Softball
Dear Northwestern,
Where do I even begin? You took me in with open arms as a 13-year-old girl and showed me immediate unconditional love. I committed to Northwestern for a multitude of reasons, from sports to the journalism program, but it was truly because of the love they showed for me as a person and my family. Everyone I talked to always said how special this University and program was, and I was so curious to experience it on my own, but never could I have imagined how truly one-of-a-kind this University and program would be.
I spent five years being committed to Northwestern from eighth grade through high school, and my parents and I would drive down to Northwestern every Monday night after I finished school in the Fall and Winter for the evening softball academy camps. This usually resulted in us rolling back into Oshkosh, Wisconsin, around 1 am on a Tuesday morning and going to school that same morning after a few hours of sleep. People thought we were crazy, but to me that drive was beyond worth it. As I look back on that as I get older, I am still in awe of the sacrifices my parents made for me to chase my dreams because they knew I wanted to do whatever I could to prepare myself for college and build relationships with the team. During those five years, I lived and died with each team and player that came through the program (from ages 14 to 18 I always asked for my birthday if we could fly out to whichever pre-conference tournament Northwestern was playing in). To me, the greatest gift has always been being a part of the Northwestern team, and I felt that even as I was by going to those tournaments before I was an official member of the team.
Then–after all of the waiting–my time finally came in the fall of 2019, when I stepped on campus as an official student and player. From that moment on, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world (even during a worldwide pandemic) for four-straight years that I got to be a part of this special team. I still remember the first time I picked up my jersey before my very first fall game and how my arms were immediately covered in goosebumps as I ran my fingers over the #26 stitching, just holding the uniform in my hands with a heart filled with gratitude that I would be able to wear Northwestern across my chest. The most amazing thing is that even through countless games, that special feeling never went away. Every time I walked into our locker room and saw the uniform hanging ready to be worn on a game day, it always stopped me in my tracks and took my breath away that I was living out my dream.
Everyone always says four years fly by in the blink of an eye, and wow they were not kidding. The days may have felt long at the moment, going from morning lift, sprinting to class, running back to practice, and then cramming in as much homework time as you could before you had to go to bed and do it all over again, but those were also the best days. Being able to push your body past limits you didn't even know was possible because you were surrounded by people whose belief in you pushed you to new heights, and you were inspired by the person to your right and left, was when the true magic happened and I went home every day proud of the work my team, and I put in. Call me crazy, but the six weeks of Phase II, when the workouts and runs are at an all-time challenge building us up for our final 150s run on our last day before break, is what I lived for. Overcoming that physical and mental demand of six weeks and crossing the finish line of your very last 150 is the strongest I have ever felt in my life. Which is very ironic because, at the moment, my body feels tired and ready to collapse, but the fire inside my soul is lit from the very message Kate teaches us every day: that we can do hard things, and that run test is a testament to that. I have to pause and give a quick shout-out to the two lifting coaches we have had during my time, Tyler Jorgensen and Ben Jaeger. My time spent with both of you in the weight room has always been a bright spot in my day, no matter the week or time of the lift. The two of you managed the best balancing act I have ever seen between pushing us as a team while supporting us as well.
I said this in my speech for the senior athlete graduation this past weekend, and I will say it forever: what makes Northwestern special is not only its world-class education and top-notch athletic opportunity...It is also the people.
From Jane Wager to Scott Woodruff and Scott Arey who as sports administrators would show up to practice just to be with us players, to staff members such as Carrie Forsman, who drives to campus late on a Sunday evening just to be there for when our team's bus gets back to campus. To Meli Resendiz and Courey Schaetzle who go to the ends of the Earth in the equipment and training room doing everything they can for us. Zach Simons and his entire field maintenance crew who somehow make a field that is covered in snow for months on end, look more beautiful than any other field in the country. Zach Wingrove and Casey Woodman who tell our team's stories in the most beautiful way, but also travel with us just to be a friendly and supportive face. To the countless families, friends, and fans who fly or drive across the country to cheer on our team no matter where we are playing. To have coaches and staff members tell us players they love us and to mean it from the bottom of their hearts, for you all who have read these blogs and listened to my podcast and taken the time to follow my career off the field, and lastly to my team who has always loved me as a person first and player second.
All of those moments and more, from the people in the academic office, to the people who pack The J every weekend no matter the temperature, and countless others, are what have made Northwestern so special. Evanston and this community have become my home, and that is what has made my decision for this upcoming year so challenging.
These past four years have been nothing short of a remarkable ride. I can truly say that I have fulfilled all of my softball dreams, from winning the Big Ten to helping bring our program back to the Women's College World Series. I have been blessed to have played on the biggest stages that this sport offers, alongside the most talented group of strong women. Beyond that, I spent four years making memories and building lifelong relationships that I will cherish forever.
I was five years old when I gave this game my heart and since that moment, this game in return has given me a life that was beyond my imagination. This game has opened up doors for me that have allowed me to play for a University that I love, for coaches that I love, and besides players that I love. Recently, the game has gifted me with an opportunity that, a year ago, I would have never seen coming. An opportunity to love the game in a different way in the booth with headsets on, interviewing other players by giving them a voice and platform to be heard, and championing this sport by being a devoted advocate on the highest platforms to grow the game. The path to achieving that is by pursuing a Master's Degree in Sports Broadcast & Digital Journalism at another prestigious journalism school, Newhouse at Syracuse University.
This, by far, has been the hardest decision of my life and only showed me even more how I am so fortunate to play for Kate, Caryl, and Michelle as I have gone through countless hours and days talking with them in terms of how to make this decision. Every step of the way, they have loved me, supported me, and encouraged me to take this leap of faith. They have taught me during this time what it truly means to give unconditional love. While I struggle even getting the words out of what may seem like a goodbye, please know I will never say goodbye to this University, this program, this team, this sport, and most importantly, to you all.
They say it takes a village and I am lucky that I have had the very best one. To my family, thank you for not only helping me chase my dreams in softball, but for chasing them with me. To my parents, who never missed a game and especially my Dad who wrote me a good luck gameday note every game these past eight years, you both are my greatest rocks. To my team, thank you for loving me through all the great and challenging times; you became my family, and I am forever proud of the way we played the game and loved each other. Friendship always wins. To my coaches, thank you for believing in me and growing me just as much as a woman as a softball player, you are my greatest role models on how to lead and be successful in a career while being Mothers. To you all, thank you for being the most loving supporters; you have no idea how much hearing "great game" or "great blog" meant the world to me.
Nine years ago, the very thing that I told Kate on the day I committed was that there are over 171,000 words in the dictionary, but only one that perfectly describes Northwestern, and that is home. That remains true for me, Northwestern will always be home today, tomorrow, and forever.
Thank you for letting me share our story, it has been an honor to share the journey together. From the bottom of my heart, I love you.
With Love,
Sydney #26
