Why I Won't Stick To Sports: Lauren Jones
Being a student-athlete does not disqualify me from being a citizen
Lauren Jones
Why I Won’t Stick to Sports is a first-person series written by Colorado State student-athletes. Athletes nationally 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.
When do I get to be an American? Why does being an athlete mean I do not deserve a voice? Americans get to choose how they are governed. Americans have a right to be heard. Our views and our willingness to participate in discussions about our future is an American right.
It is our responsibility as citizens to voice our concerns about political and social change. We need to speak and have the chance to be heard. Our universities, parents and fans should be willing to support our expression. Voicing our concerns through conversations or protests gives us the chance to bring about change.
Our participation in sports should not be a factor on whether our voices are allowed to be heard. We should not be silent; I will not be silent. Our collective voices -- all voices -- must be heard to help influence the America we want to live in. Change requires teamwork. We are athletes, we know teamwork. We are a part of our community where teamwork is required to be a part of the decision-making process on the rules we live by.
I bring more to my sport than my ability to play soccer. I am an athlete with the same right to express myself as other Americans do. I will not be defined solely by the sport I play or the name on my jersey.
I have the same freedom as any other American to promote my vision of how I believe our society “ought to be”. It is my American right to speak out in protests or on social media. It is my American right to speak up in support of positive causes that make Colorado State University better, and it is my American right to try and make our society better. My rights should not be dismissed because I choose to participate in sports. If I as individual want change, I must use my voice to bring about the change I desire. I vote to make that change.
When I finish my degree and sports, I must decide who I want to be. I plan to be active in my community by being informed on the issues that affect our society, being committed in a productive way to the causes that interest me. I will be a role model to others, but mostly my sisters, by mentoring them in pursuit of their goals. So, I will not stick to sports because I am more than the ball at my feet. I am more than the number on the back of my jersey.
I am Black, I am engaged, I am resilient and I am not keeping quiet in a time that needs my voice most. I will not stick to sports because I want to be the change I see in the world. I want to lay the path for an equal and better tomorrow for myself and those who come after me.
I am more than just a student. I am more than just an athlete. See me. Hear me. Understand me. Join me.
Lauren Jones is a senior on the women’s soccer team who has earned academic All-Mountain West honors. A mentor in the John Mosley Leadership program, she also works with Crossroads Safehouse, a non-profit which helps domestic violence victims.