for the love of sport

Sports have always played a significant role in my life. Growing up in Nebraska, sports were and still are the main form of entertainment besides drinking. My first memory of sport took place in our backyard in Omaha… my favorite place in the world as a kid. My dad meticulously mowed the grass, adjusting the blade to create a makeshift soccer pitch complete with boundary lines. It also served as the arena for the ultimate game of catch. With a tennis racket, my dad would hit tennis balls off the back porch to us in the outfield and somehow we managed to never break a window. My brothers and I hosted countless soccer, kickball, and baseball matches on our home turf. As the youngest of three and the kid of a soccer coach, much of my time was spent either on the field or observing from the sideline. I became obsessed with the idea of competing… at any level… it could be a simple game of keep away with my brothers (even though I was always in the middle) or a state championship. Although I am super competitive, for me it wasn’t about the trophies or sibling bragging rights; it was about the moments that made me feel. Sport is a gift and should be treated as such. It has introduced me to communities I might never have encountered otherwise, and my extended sports family has impacted me in ways I could never fully express in one blog post.

 Sports remain one of the few outlets where adults find a way to "play." It transports us back to the carefree days of childhood when all we wanted to do was play with our friends. I often need to remind myself that young Erin would have been stoked if someone had told her she'd be working in the sports industry. I get so caught up in the day to day, I sometimes forget that my job exists because people want to go ride around on two wheels. Whatever sport means to them—whether it's competing on a global stage or taking a few laps with friends—I find purpose in contributing to that experience and a community that celebrates the spirit of sport and adventure.

So, whatever sport looks like to you, make time for it, because if it’s worth doing, do it well. And sports are worth doing.

From the pitch to the trails,

E