Aug. 28, 2001

At the annual Athetics Director's Address & Barbeque held on Monday, Aug. 27, 2001, in The Pavilion, Wildcat women's soccer standout Dyane Noonan addressed the student-athletes, coaches and staff of Villanova. A senior defender on head coach Ann Clifton's women's soccer squad, Noonan has been a standout both on the field and in the classroom during her career on the Main Line.

The following was Noonan's address at the 2001 Student-Athlete Barbecue:

"Good evening everyone. I would first like to thank the athletic department, especially my head coach Ann Clifton, for this opportunity to represent the Women's Soccer team and address all our student-athletes. The athletic department does tremendous things for every athlete in this gym, and I think it is important to appreciate events such as this one that the Villanova staff puts together.

When I was recently asked to speak to all of you, I went through all the familiar emotions of that class we all love so much called "Public Speaking". It is easy to inform or persuade an unfamiliar audience of strangers, but what do you say when you are given the chance to speak to 500 people who are just like you? I think a good place to start is to answer a question that someone asked me a few weeks ago, a question I think all of us have been asked, or even asked ourselves, sometime in our athletic career: Why do we play? When someone asked me why I play soccer, it dawned on me that I couldn't give a good answer, I couldn't exactly put my thoughts into words. Interestingly enough, I came across a poem that a teammate had given us to read this summer and I think it expresses all the emotions that give an answer to the question of why we play.

WHY WE PLAY

It's not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted or making Sportscenter. It's a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates, and sometimes for that hot guy or girl in our classes we don't even know. We don't practice with a future Twins first baseman, we practice with a future sports agent. We don't lift weights with a future Olympian, we lift with a future doctor. We don't run with a future Wimbledon champion, we run with a future CEO. It's a bigger part of us than our family and friends can understand. Sometimes we play for 4,000 fans, sometimes 400, sometimes 4. But we still play hard. You cheer for us because you know us. You know more than just our names. Like all of you, we are still students first. We don't sign autographs. We do sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams, and student body petitions. When we miss a shot, kick or strike out we don't let down an entire state. We let down ourselves, our teammates, our coaches and our fans. But the hurt in our hearts is the same. We train hard. We lift, throw, run, hit, kick, tackle, block, shoot, dribble and lift some more....and in the morning we go to class. Still that next day in class we are nothing more than students. It's about pride - in ourselves, in our school. It's about our love and passion for the game. And when it's all over - when we walk off the court or the field for the last time - our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves. We will forever be what few can claim: COLLEGE ATHLETES.

To me, that gives an answer to the question of why I play soccer, and why the Villanova athletic experience is so unique and special. I have realized that the label of Villanova student-athlete brings with it an automatic level of respect, admiration, and responsibility. There are thousands of young adults across the country who would do anything to be in the position that we are in at this very moment, and it is because of this that we must be careful to value the position we hold.

As much as I may not want to admit it yet, I am on the way out of my role as a Villanova student-athlete. Like many of you sitting out there, I remember this night three years ago as a freshman who wondered what my four college years were going to bring. Now as I reflect back, I realize the most important thing I have come to understand in the past few years, and that is this: Never take for granted what you have here, and do your best to cherish every moment and every aspect of your college athletic experience.

Everyone knows someone who has had their career cut short due to injury, so in honor of all those athletes it is our duty to treasure the opportunity that we have all been fortunate enough to earn. So how do we do this? How do we remember these amazing years of Villanova Athletics? My answer is this: Slow down. Slow down every second of the day and think about what is truly important in your sport, but more importantly what is important in life. It's not about scholarships or awards or media attention, and it's not about being the best on your team or being liked by everyone you meet.

What it is about is being proud of yourself, and proud of those people with which you choose to surround yourself. It is about remembering where you came from, and thanking the people who helped you along the way. For me it's about thanking my parents, who are the very reason I am where I am today.

It's about that feeling - I know all of you know what I am talking about - when you push yourself over the finish line on that last sprint or do that last rep in the weight room. It's about the look on your teammate's face when you tell them what a great job they did or the look on your coaches' face after your team has played a terrific game.

I'm sure all of you know what I am talking about, but my challenge that I give to you today is this: Never go through the motions. Whether you have four years left or four games try your best to notice all the little things such as these that make being a college athlete such an amazing experience. I honestly wish I could bottle up the feelings I've had over the past few years because I'd be the richest person on earth. All I can do, however, and all I can ask all of you to do is to never let a day pass without realizing how lucky we all are to represent such a prestigious university while having the time of our lives playing the games that we love.

So be true to yourself, and I guarantee you will never take your collegiate athletic experience for granted. Be true to your weaknesses, your strengths, your loves, and your desires. Create a package inside of you so strong that it will never be broken - tested yes, but never broken. Be concerned about your character and not your reputation, for your character is who you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

In closing, I would like to ask each one of you to make the most out of your time here because, as any senior can tell you, the time flies. Expect more of yourself than any coach or teammate expects of you because the real coach is going to be standing right along side of you for the rest of your life. Support each other this year and let's help one another notice all the little things that make our experience one that only we, as student-athletes, will ever be able to understand.

Good luck to all fall teams starting their seasons this week. And I can't leave here without putting in a special request for everyone to come see the best Women's Soccer team Villanova has ever had play on Friday, August 30th at 4pm on West Campus.

Thank you again and let's all make our best effort at making this school year one that will stick with us for the rest of our lives."