A weekly blog from Charlotte's Traci Ray.

Thursday, March 25, 2009

Hey Niner Fans!!!

Going to Tennessee to compete in the the NCAA tournament was an amazing experience. The girls and I enjoyed the food, practices, media, and hotel as much as we could. On game day we came out to a lobby full of Gold Dusters, family, fans, and band members cheering us on. At the game we had an entire section of green supporters who never gave up on us. Even though I enjoyed many aspects of that weekend I will never forget the last game of my career. It was a difficult pill to swallow because I know I didn't play my best. I know the team as a whole felt that way as well. I can blame it on the newness of the NCAA tournament, jitters, or external factors but it doesn't take away the disappointment. The plane ride home from Chattanooga was a time for me to stop and think about the season. I was more than upset about our loss to Purdue and I couldn't believe my journey had finally come to an end. I thought about all the girls and how hard we fought this season. Danielle Burgin, my senior sidekick was probably feeling the same way. But then I thought back to our Thanksgiving tournament title victory over SMU back in the Fall. As I started to list off all our accomplishments one by one I realized how far we had come as a team. It was then I decided I couldn't let one game ruin a years worth, a careers worth, of success.

How do I begin to explain the journey I started so long ago? It seems like yesterday I was on my official visit watching Midnight Madness with my future teammates. I loved the campus, team, and everything about Charlotte. I was determined to do something special as a Niner and that feeling has never left me. If someone were to tell me the story of my journey here at Charlotte when I was a freshman I would have laughed and said, "you're crazy!" So much has happened since that summer in 2005. I have endured injuries, practices, transfers, coaching changes, athletic trainer changes, traveling across the world, loss, tears, and so much more. Even with that said I would not change one thing about my time here at Charlotte. I would have missed out on life-long friendships, exposure to different cultures, education, the feeling of accomplishment, team get togethers, summer volleyball at the park, learning how to give rather than receive, how to be a leader, and so much more. All these experiences have taught me valuable lessons that will be useful to me the rest of my life.

I do not think I will understand what it means to be "retired" until I see the girls play without me. Somehow I believe I will be apart of the basketball world one way or another; I think it's in my blood. Who knows... maybe in twenty years I will be back here coaching the 2030 Charlotte 49ers team. Crazy thought! But anyway, I have already tried to fill up my schedule with things. Coach Ortega is going to take a yoga class with me the rest of the semester. Who knows, maybe we can move up to advanced yoga by May.

I have enjoyed writing to everyone this season and my biggest hope is that your support will continue to grow just like our program. Thank you for having faith in our team. You have helped my last year be the best and I wouldn't change a thing.

I'm still wearing green! Go Niners!

Traci Ray