Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Motivation. Determination.
9/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | General
Sept. 21, 2004
Motivation. Determination. We hear these words often, particularly in the sports world, but what do they really mean? When do they turn in to results and accomplishments? When do faraway dreams become a reality? Well, the fact that Trisha Doyle is even here to tell us about her sports career thus far just proves that some of her goals and dreams have already been achieved. Do you think you could make it to the collegiate level if you had to train with your coach over the telephone? Well, that's just part of what Trisha had to do to make it to where she is today.
Click here to find out what else our new cross-country runner did to make it all the way from Saskatchewan, Canada to Boca Raton, Florida.
Trisha Doyle is a success story already. Although she is just a freshman, she overcame some gigantic obstacles to make it to this level in her career. First of all, she grew up in a small Canadian town, on a farm with 250 cows and brutal winters. The entire population of her school totaled 100, and her graduating class contained a whopping 12 people. With those numbers it is difficult to form any kind of sports teams. However, since Track and Field was an individual sport, Trisha decided that she would give it a try, especially since her mom used to run and held many district and division records herself.
When she started running, she needed a coach, but he was so far away that she could only meet with him once a week. So, being motivated and determined, they decided to train long-distance, via the telephone. This meant running in freezing temperatures and on gravel roads, as he directed her. Many times friends questioned why she liked to run so much, since she frequently turned down offers to hang out with them and take part in normal teenage activities.
After attending track camps, and training on her own, she started competing in the Provincials, (our equivalent to state), and then qualified for Nationals in 2001. She said that after that "amazing experience", she wanted to make it every year and break all of her mom's records. That also started a little friendly competition, and she broke nearly all of their records.
Trisha was offered many scholarships, but chose to come to FAU because of the "warm climate, the generous team...who made her feel welcome right away, and the comfortable atmosphere." Of course, her family is proud of her, as she is the first to leave for college, and she looks forward to "running with a team, having facilities, and competing at the collegiate level."
I think you would agree that motivation and determination are just two of the words that describe this young lady, and I'm sure that we will have more positive words to describe her as she develops her cross-county career here at FAU! If you would like to help support athletes like Trisha, shop our very own ONLINE BUYING CLUB with over 1,000 stores and 1,000,000 products at your fingertips!
Sincerely, FAU Athletic Department
