Homesick

The stress put on by a college athletic season drives many athletes to miss the city that helped raised them. I would venture to guess that most of the Lehigh population does not travel very far to attend the school. Traveling back home is not a problem for the majority.

The point of this post is to showcase a sacrifice made by college athletes. Giving up your school breaks is seriously one of the worst part about athletics. Depending on the sport you could get a break, maybe two throughout the year. As an athlete with a sport that stretches across all seasons I don't get any breaks. No pacing, winter, spring, Thanksgiving etc. Being from Baltimore, MD I am lucky enough that i can take day trips home or have my family visit me. The trip is about 2 1/2 hrs one way. I really feel for the kids that don't live within a short drive and go without see their family or hometown for such long periods of time.

I'd say the worst part about being here working out over break is seeing everyone come back. Of course there is the ever waiting question, "What did you do over break?" and you give them the same boring answer , "Well I was here working out the whole time."The worst part is the actuality that sits in when you realizes that you will be stuck in Bethlehem for another large chunk of time.

The every so familiar feeling that overtakes many of the athletes here and across the nation has no name. I have taken it upon my self to fix that problem and I think for this region, the term "The Bethlehem Blues," fits well.

Since I am a junior, I would consider myself a seasoned veteran handling the "The Bethlehem Blues." I understand the importance of making frequent visits to Blockbuster, and taking every opportunity you can to eat someone other than the Subway in South Beth. Snacking up at Pantry 1 is essential to survival.  As someone that never eats breakfast, I have the luxury to use some extra meal money we receive to treat myself. This involves exciting things like getting two gatorades at  The Goose instead of one or playing a video game or two in the arcade at Starters Riverport.

The moral of the story is basically the Bethlehem Blues gets to all of us and whether it be due to athletics, long traveling distance etc. it is equally as miserable. It makes the summer that much sweeter.