Returning to GoCrimson.com for a second season, "Around The Yard: Life As A Harvard Student-Athlete" explores life away from the playing fields for select Harvard student-athletes through their own first-person narrative. For a full list of blog entries, click here.
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Chris Egi
October 20, 2015
As a sophomore member of the basketball team, I feel like I learned some of the most important life lessons from my head coach, Tommy Amaker. For example, a favorite saying of coach's is, “focus on getting better today.” I feel that I have really taken that to heart this year. While it's still only October, my sophomore year at Harvard has definitely been one to remember. It truly is an exciting time as I find myself stretching beyond the constraints of freshman year, and becoming more engaged in campus life. With activities ranging from my first French class in years, to a marketing internship with an on-campus start up, this is definitely a great time to experiment!
One major change for me this year was starting my first college job. As a 6'8 (and still growing) student-athlete with a big appetite, having a way to get a little pocket money is crucial! I applied to work as a tutor with the Bureau of Study Council, and I tutor introductory level courses in statistics, mathematics and economics, my favorite classes from freshmen year. It has been an extremely rewarding experience, and I feel that I have really helped the tutees I work with! I can't wait to continue working with them as the year progresses.
Another refreshing experience has been working with my teammate, Zena Edosomwan, on his #HarvardBlackIs project. The project works to dispel negative stereotypes associated with black identity, and replace them with images of self love and value. Right now we're working on expanding the message of positivity to other colleges around the country. With all the recent happenings and tension surrounding the discussion on race relations as of late, this positivity is definitely much needed. Wish us luck!
Despite all the great things I have had the pleasure of doing outside of the basketball team this year; my favorite memory so far is associated with the team. Earlier this month, we attended the W.E.B. DuBois Medal Ceremony for African American Excellence, where we had a chance to hear from civil rights leader Marian Wright Edelman, Attorney General Eric Holder, boxing great Muhammad Ali, and several other extraordinary medalists. The medalist who had the team most excited, however, was Nasir Jones, better known as Nas, one of the world's most famous rappers. Some guys on the team were lucky enough to take a picture with him after the event and Nas posted it on his Instagram account! I'm still kind of jealous I missed out. On a more serious note, having the opportunity to stand witness and watch as these incredible people were rewarded for their outstanding accomplishments was very humbling in my eyes. Maybe one day, I'll be walking across the stage receiving my own award! You'll be surprised what you can achieve when you focus on getting better today.
