Arms Around Each Other: The Kind of Growth That Matters Most

⚽ Over the weekend, I watched my son play in a soccer tournament — four games, two wins, two losses, and a hard-earned third place. But as I stood on the sidelines cheering, I realized that what moved me most wasn’t the scoreboard. It was a moment between the plays — when the team huddled together at halftime, arms around each other. In that circle, I saw something that every parent hopes their child finds: belonging. This was more than teamwork or leadership; it was trust, connection, and the quiet knowing that they’re part of something bigger than themselves.

As I watched, I thought about the students I coach — many of them high school athletes themselves — who later reflect on these same lessons when writing their college application essays.

They talk about the game-winning goals, yes, but also about the missed passes, the tough losses, and the in-between moments when they learned to encourage a teammate or take responsibility after a mistake.

Those are the experiences that shape character — the kind that can’t be measured by grades or trophies.

What colleges really want to see isn’t just skill or achievement. It’s growth.
They’re looking for students who can collaborate, communicate, and persevere — the very skills that get built quietly in moments like the one captured in that photo: arms linked, hearts aligned, working toward something together.

Because the truth is, sports don’t just teach discipline and determination.
They teach empathy, perspective, and belonging.

And when a student learns to translate that into words — to reflect on what those experiences meant — that’s when their story comes alive.