Learning to swim is a skill that can save lives. Knowing how to swim increases the chance you will teach your kids to swim as well. There are a few universities that require passing a swim test to graduate, but UT does not have swim test. UT does have some physical education programs that involve swimming, but no programs that focus on learning to swim. I have not been able to find any statistics about the number of students that know how to swim versus those who do not, however I believe it is safe to assume there are students who do not know how to swim. As a team we could create opportunities for students to learn how to swim. We would have to work with Rec Sports for the chance to use the student aquatic center and the outdoor pool, which are shallower than Allen Jones, and would be a place where people who are not comfortable in water could learn with less apprehension. Teaching people to swim would also raise awareness about the importance of water safety. UT has three pools, so the entire student population should be able to safely swim in them. The swim team could make campus a safer place.
The swim team is comprised of sixty people, all who have different connections throughout UT. We have people majoring in business, engineering, nutrition, kinesiology, and linguistics, thus there are many different swimmers interacting with a wide range of the student body. We have people that are involved in clubs and the church, in addition to volunteering at the hospital and the Boys and Girls Club.
With all of those connections in mind, our actions while representing the University of Tennessee Swimming and Diving has the ability to affect the people around us in a positive or negative way. In order to create positive change, we must start within the team. We can do this by establishing values and standards that are worthwhile such as respect, hard work, dedication, loyalty, positivity, authenticity, and many more. From there, we must be congruent and hold each other responsible for modeling the standards we set for ourselves. This will create a culture of positivity and hard work within the team, which can then be transferred to UT and the community. I know that people who have clear-cut goals, and a vision on how to achieve them inspire me. If sixty swimmers and divers had this culture and passion, we would be able to positively affect and change the mindsets and attitudes of all of the other people that we associate with throughout UT.
A massive part of UT is the pride and tradition associated with it. I truly believe people live in a “vol for life” manner. A huge part of Tennessee’s traditions and pride are represented through sports. It is a humbling experience to hear kids say that we are their idols. Or, to hear fans who I have never met before, proclaim that they are following our season and rooting for us. Equally as humbling is how my fellow classmates seem to look up to me and other athletes as though we are somehow above them in ranking. No matter who it is, as athletes, we have an ability to impact the people around us. Additionally, our team takes pride in academics. Therefore, if students see soccer players, or other athletes, attending class, being respectful, making good decisions, etc., then perhaps, they too, might be more likely to attend class and make good decisions. A huge reason why soccer can impact UT is the fact it is a team sport. You have to rely on your teammates and work together if you want to be successful. This can be done in the classroom as well. My team and I have the opportunity and ability to demonstrate the knowledge and discipline we learn on the field onto campus and into the classroom through group work or helping others. Additionally, by attending class, serving the community, being kind to others, and setting a good example overall, I think the soccer team can help spark positive change at UT.
Learning to swim is a skill that can save lives. Knowing how to swim increases the chance you will teach your kids to swim as well. There are a few universities that require passing a swim test to graduate, but UT does not have swim test. UT does have some physical education programs that involve swimming, but no programs that focus on learning to swim. I have not been able to find any statistics about the number of students that know how to swim versus those who do not, however I believe it is safe to assume there are students who do not know how to swim. As a team we could create opportunities for students to learn how to swim. We would have to work with Rec Sports for the chance to use the student aquatic center and the outdoor pool, which are shallower than Allen Jones, and would be a place where people who are not comfortable in water could learn with less apprehension. Teaching people to swim would also raise awareness about the importance of water safety. UT has three pools, so the entire student population should be able to safely swim in them. The swim team could make campus a safer place.
ReplyDeleteThe swim team is comprised of sixty people, all who have different connections throughout UT. We have people majoring in business, engineering, nutrition, kinesiology, and linguistics, thus there are many different swimmers interacting with a wide range of the student body. We have people that are involved in clubs and the church, in addition to volunteering at the hospital and the Boys and Girls Club.
ReplyDeleteWith all of those connections in mind, our actions while representing the University of Tennessee Swimming and Diving has the ability to affect the people around us in a positive or negative way. In order to create positive change, we must start within the team. We can do this by establishing values and standards that are worthwhile such as respect, hard work, dedication, loyalty, positivity, authenticity, and many more. From there, we must be congruent and hold each other responsible for modeling the standards we set for ourselves. This will create a culture of positivity and hard work within the team, which can then be transferred to UT and the community. I know that people who have clear-cut goals, and a vision on how to achieve them inspire me. If sixty swimmers and divers had this culture and passion, we would be able to positively affect and change the mindsets and attitudes of all of the other people that we associate with throughout UT.
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ReplyDeleteA massive part of UT is the pride and tradition associated with it. I truly believe people live in a “vol for life” manner. A huge part of Tennessee’s traditions and pride are represented through sports. It is a humbling experience to hear kids say that we are their idols. Or, to hear fans who I have never met before, proclaim that they are following our season and rooting for us. Equally as humbling is how my fellow classmates seem to look up to me and other athletes as though we are somehow above them in ranking. No matter who it is, as athletes, we have an ability to impact the people around us.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, our team takes pride in academics. Therefore, if students see soccer players, or other athletes, attending class, being respectful, making good decisions, etc., then perhaps, they too, might be more likely to attend class and make good decisions.
A huge reason why soccer can impact UT is the fact it is a team sport. You have to rely on your teammates and work together if you want to be successful. This can be done in the classroom as well. My team and I have the opportunity and ability to demonstrate the knowledge and discipline we learn on the field onto campus and into the classroom through group work or helping others. Additionally, by attending class, serving the community, being kind to others, and setting a good example overall, I think the soccer team can help spark positive change at UT.