By Devon Russell
When thinking about what motivates me, I am instantly reminded of my teammates. Whether it’s youth, high school, or college, I often find that when times get difficult, or I’m enduring something hard or tiring, I always use my teammates as my “why." I think one of the joys of playing a team sport is the fact that you get to share experiences outside of just yourself. To know that you are experiencing all of the great things sports has to offer, like championships or comeback wins, but also the really hard things, the times where adversity is thrown your way, is something really unique and special.
Growing up I’ve always been surrounded by people who knew how to work hard and pushed me to work hard, while also understanding the importance of support and positivity. My parents are the first example. My mom is a badass – the hardest working person I know – and my dad, having played collegiate lacrosse, was always encouraging me to pick up a stick and get on the bounce back in the backyard. But my parents never placed pressure on me to succeed, which I played a pivotal role in allowing me to develop on my own terms, and work towards success in lacrosse because I wanted to, not because they wanted that from me. I’ve always felt that I’ve been my harshest critic; which has its pros and cons. What initially motivated me to work so hard at lacrosse was simply because I loved the sport. I remember coming back from soccer practice, still in my pinny and knee high socks, and I would spend hours in my back yard shooting or using the bounce back.
As I got older, I never changed this habit, and over time, my parents were still my biggest fans, showing up to absolutely everything, whether it was a BC vs. UNC game, or a New Canaan vs. Norwalk game. It allowed me to get excited about what I was doing, knowing they’d be there always. I think that's the mistake many parents make these days, is that they push their kids to sign up for every showcase and clinic possible. But when I look back at my career, I remember I’d have the most fun when I was just messing around in the backyard. That's what made me love TTL so much. It reminded you that lacrosse, at its core, is about passion, having fun, and making everlasting friendships.
I’ve been told a lot of my life that I play with an intense hunger and relentlessness, often being compared to a bull dog (or a mule, as my dad likes to say). A part of being a midfielder is making an impact all over the field. But to me, I’ve found that I’ve leant towards this style of play because I’d always been inspired and infatuated by the players who were making the hustle plays. The players who were getting a key ground ball or draw control that led to a goal being scored, or led to a turnover being caused. Or the players that didn’t need to score four goals a game, but would always step up and score a diving goal in the most crucial moment in the game. Being able to step up and be someone your team can rely on to do their job in the most crucial parts of the game, or in the toughest practices, is the player I’ve always strived to be.
But lacrosse is not a linear path, for anyone. I’ve definitely experienced my fair share of confidence issues throughout my lacrosse career. It feels really inhibiting when you show up to play the sport you love and instead of excitement or passion, you feel afraid. Afraid to make mistakes, or afraid that you won’t show up in ways you or your teammates or coaches want you too. This biggest thing I’ve learned is that the only way to gain confidence is to practice being uncomfortable. Put yourself in those hard moments. Fight to always be up against the best attacker or defender on your team. Be unafraid to have those difficult conversations with your teammates or coaches, and ask them what it is they need from you, and be able to take that feedback as motivation. Once you learn how to do that, you’ve got the hard part over with. The only thing you can do from then on is show up ready to work.
Throughout high school, I remember playing with girls like Dillyn Patten and the Hardens and being so inspired by the way they led with fearlessness and a drive that pushed you to work just as hard, while also knowing how to incorporate positivity and lightheadedness. Having that exposure as a young high school athlete gave me the confidence to perform at a high level, and is largely how I try to lead even now. Becoming a captain my senior year, and having a large leadership role even my junior year, I learned ways that people respond to leadership and how to motivate others to work hard. To me, that was always channeled directly through my play. If you show others just how badly you want it and how hard you're willing to hustle, in every game and every drill, it will inspire others to follow. Even more than that, I’ve learned how important your voice is. The way you treat your teammates and push them to be their best, especially in a leadership role, could be the difference between them having confidence on the field versus not. I’ve always tried to be a voice others can rely on for support and energy. When times are difficult, being realistic and understanding what the team needs is critical, but positivity is everything. I try to be a light for others as much as I can, and everyday I try to think about how I can make someone else better, or get something else through this moment. Once you learn to shift the attention off of yourself and your own performance, and onto your teammates, you’ll see how pressure subsides, because the moment becomes about contribution rather than self-evaluation. It facilitates your play, while also supporting someone else's.
Especially now being a sophomore at BC, I’ve always felt that if I can’t directly lead others through experience, or my voice, or as a captain, I would set an example for others through my play, emphasizing hustle, grit, and intensity. To me, I’m endlessly inspired by the girls on my team who do this as well, and who can bring their best whenever the moment demands it. It's hard to not be motivated by your teammates who put forth their best and who you can see want to win so badly. When you surround yourself with these people, who push themselves so hard to succeed, they’ll also push and challenge you to succeed as well. It's hard to not want to play your heart out for them. This was a large reason I was so attracted to coming to Boston College.
BC has a history of success and national championships. I was motivated to win, absolutely. But more than that, what drew me to BC and continues to be my reason for playing here is just how much culture and relationships are valued. Being a good lacrosse player is one thing. But an even larger component of success is measured in how good of a teammate you are. At BC, culture is so essential to our success and our chemistry. We take as much time as we do developing as players on the field as we do developing as people off of the field, because culture can carry you farther than skill ever will. When I think about right now, what motivates me to carry on, to continue working everyday and playing this sport that I love, I think about all the people who have gotten me here. Family, teammates, and coaches. I think about those people who are in my life right now, and I think about how much time, effort and attention they put into themselves, into me, and into those around them. It's hard to think of that and not be motivated to work your ass off for them, and for all they’ve done to get to where they are, and it's even more special to think about where you could be with them in the future by staying committed, consistent, and most importantly, motivated.