Day 34: This week I had the privilege to attend the (Zoom) banquets for both the Notre Dame Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving teams. This is something I have wanted to do for many years, and the virtual nature of the events allowed me to this year. Awards are a part of any end-of-season celebration, and I was invited to present the Beeler-Hipp Award.

The Beeler-Hipp Award “is given to a freshman who best exemplifies the vitality, competitiveness, and love for Notre Dame shown by Meghan Beeler and Colleen Hipp,” and was first presented at our end-of-season banquet in 1992. Since What Though the Odds was published in 2008, I have sent a copy of my book to each of the Beeler-Hipp Award winners, to share with them the history of the Award, the spirit of Colleen and Meghan, and to keep their memories living and inspiring the current team.

As I mentioned to the swimmers and divers at their banquet, I think it is appropriate that this year, 2020, was the first time I was present to announce this Award. Because this year’s banquet was probably very similar to my freshman year banquet when the Award was established. Both banquets were bittersweet. Both seasons had so much to celebrate; and yet, both seasons were filled with such sadness and uncertainty. The circumstances and events are very different, but many of the emotions are the same.

As I sat through both banquets, I had to fight back tears for a season ended too soon. For races not raced and meets not held. For dreams not finished. But I was also comforted by the coach’s words, and reminded of the strength of community: we are better together.

This weekend, I am thinking of all student-athletes and seasons cut short, the races not raced, the games not played, the dreams not finished. You have all my love.