Why I Won't Stick To Sports: Tyler Trott
Stand up for yourself, but also stand up for others
Tyler Trott
Why I Won’t Stick to Sports is a first-person series written by Colorado State student-athletes. Nationally, athletes are told to “stick to sports”, but as members of the community, they have ideas, motivations and a passion for creating meaningful change in the world. Their talents and knowledge are not limited to fields of play. In their own words, this is why our student-athletes will not stick to sports.
I am human, and my decisions affect the future. It is inevitable that I will fail, but it is also my duty as a member of the community and activist for this country to learn from those failures.
I have been taught throughout my life that it is important to stand up for yourself and what you believe in, but one of the most important lessons I was taught was to stand up for others, as well. It was made clear to me to stand up for the underdog and to reduce the amount of torment for my peers. As a young girl, it was instilled in my head to fight for those who need it or are being beaten down by society. Now 20-years old, I still strive to better the world around me.
Although women’s rights have progressed immensely, I still unfortunately see women being treated as if they are inferior. My parents ingrained in my head that I am a strong young girl who would soon become a strong young woman, and seeing women treated less than males is disappointing. I have the excellent opportunity of being a collegiate athlete, which means I also have a target on my back. I have chosen to use this target to my advantage while also understanding that this will result in some criticism from outside viewers. I have a cultural platform granted to me because of sports, and it is my responsibility to use it to the best of my ability. Sports are a major part of the United States, and as an athlete, I have made the conscious decision to stand up for those who are unable to use their voice and for myself. Considering that it is both an election year and my first time to vote, I have set the expectation for myself to do what is right and help create an equal country by exercising my voice and right to vote.
Not long ago, I was told a story that resonated with me as an activist. A young girl visited a Holocaust museum and was silent throughout the tour. At the end, there was a book where you could sign your name and write a comment based on your experience. In the comment section, she simply asked, “Why did no one say anything?” This was especially astounding to me because it applies to current situations. Even if I am wrong or make a mistake, what stops me from saying anything, criticism or hate? What is astonishing to me is the “what if” of saying something. There is one “what if” that sticks out to me in particular: What if I can make a difference? Making a difference in the world is a goal of mine and is very important to me. I have been fortunate enough to play a sport that grants me the ability to have a platform and become an activist for society.
I will not stick to sports because that does not define me as a person. My purpose in life does not rely on my success in softball, instead it is deciphered on the differences I make. It is my duty to use my voice that God has granted me and speak up for what is right. I choose to make a difference in the world and to create an equal fight for those who are oppressed, treated differently and are unable to use their voice, as I am able to. I am not just an athlete, I am human, and my decisions affect the future.
Tyler Trott is a junior on the softball team. After transferring from Baylor, she played in 23 games, starting 20 at catcher.