Have you ever stopped to ask yourself why you play? What do you want to accomplish? Is it worth the time and effort? Is all the talk about hard work and discipline just a waste of your time? Wouldn't you really rather be somewhere else like at a party or on the beach... The overwhelming majority of those who play will never see that million dollar contract... but there is still something very special in being able to call yourself an athlete.... The following piece of literature says it better than I could ever have done....

The Athlete It's not about playing in the NBA, WNBA or 1.Bundesliga.... getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making Sports Center.

It's a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat, to compete.

We do it all for our teammates. We don't lift weights with a future Olympic Participant; we lift with a future doctor or teacher.

We don't run with a future Wimbledon champion; we run with a future Lawyer or Business Administrator.

It's a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand. Sometimes we play for 20,000 fans, sometimes for 25. But we still play hard. You cheer for us because you know us. You know more than just our names. Like all of you, we are still regular people.

We don't sign autographs for money. But we do sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams, and voter registration ballots. When we miss a lay-up, or drop a pass, we don't let down an entire state. We only let down our teammates, coaches, and fans.

But the hurt in our hearts is the same. We train hard. Lift, throw, run, shoot, dribble, and lift some more, and in the morning we go to school or work. The Day after the game, we are nothing more than regular people.

It's about pride; in ourselves, in our Team, in our Club. It's about our love and passion for the game.

And when it's all over; when we walk off that court for the last time, our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves.

We will forever be what few can call... Athletes.