What it’s like to transition from being an athlete to a NARP
I can finally have a winter break that’s longer than six days
Disclaimer: This isn’t about whether it’s harder to be an athlete or a NARP at an Ivy League school – they both have their ups and downs. This is not a guide to whether you should “retire” from your sport or not – well maybe this could help, I don’t know. This is not even an article about my experience as an athlete at Brown – no comment. This is simply a story about my transition from an athlete to a NARP…
I could be considered the Hannah Montana of Brown – I’m living a double life as an athlete and a NARP (Non-Athletic Regular Person). I realize that some people may find offense in the acronym NARP, but as an athlete, I was once called a NIRP (Non-Intelligent Regular Person), so we’re even.
After playing hockey for 13 years, I have decided to hang up my skates this year. This was not an easy decision by any means, but I am happy with my choice. Playing a Division I sport at Brown was my dream, but two years was enough for me. I wanted to be able to experience Brown as a “regular student.” So, here’s to the next two years of being a NARP. Cheers!
This has been an interesting transition for me. I thought going from an athlete to a NARP would be detrimental to the identity I’ve always known, “the hockey player.” Turns out, most people don’t even know that I’m not on the team anymore (well, I guess they will now).
Lucky for me, I get to be known as an athlete and a NARP – the best of both worlds. I can still wear sweats to class. I can still be dumb. I can still get into sports’ parties. I can still bask in the memory of the first time I wore a Brown jersey.
But, I can do a lot more now. I can spend my weekends going on a road trip with my sketch comedy group and eating donuts along the way. I can be in a play where I need to do a Jewish mom accent. I can suck at IM soccer, be OK at IM volleyball, and actually be pretty good at club field hockey. I can go to meditation everyday for Zen. I can have a winter break that’s longer than six days. I can start the Ivy League’s first donut club (Brown Donut Club is pending approval). I can start my roller blading club (Bruno’s Blading Club is pending approval).
I can now do whatever the hell I want to do. This, I am grateful for.
What’s next? Becoming a sorority girl?