Colin Shaffer - Senior Reflection 2015

When I arrived on campus as a freshman for my first preseason, I was anxious, excited, and nervous at what the following four years would bring. What I learned throughout my time here, no matter what challenges or uncertainties came about, athletics was a constant. My time as a member of the men’s soccer program has been incredible. Every year presented new obstacles, opportunities to grow, and more memories. I will miss the people, the program, and competing for my university the most.

Through my four years, I had the opportunity to play in two NCAA tournaments, win a UAA Championship, and compile a tremendous record with my classmates. Our class became known for our hard work and dedication to our team and its success. We are an extremely tight knit group, and if it wasn’t for my athletic career at Carnegie Mellon, I would not have been introduced to my closest friends.

If I was asked to pass along one piece of advice to upcoming athletes at our university, I would tell them to attack whatever they do with passion and commitment. Our time as athletes and students here is finite, and we should make the most of that opportunity. My proudest, individual accomplishment is becoming captain of our team, a voted upon honor, from the practice squad my freshman year. I think commitment to the team, commitment to excellence, and individual goals is what drove me to become a leader in our program and in the athletics department. It takes passion and commitment to reach individual goals and team goals, no matter what sport or what endeavor one tackles in life. My soccer career at CMU taught me this lesson and I hope future athletes are able to learn lessons like this through their athletic career.

My classmates and I have helped to create a program that is destined for long-term success, and I am excited to see how the team will succeed in the future. I will miss playing for my university, for my coaches, and for my teammates, but I will constantly look back at this time with fondness. I am grateful for the opportunity to have represented my university at a high level athletically and academically, and I hope I made an impact on our athletic department. I am fortunate to have been a part of something special, and I look forward to continuing to be a part of the athletic family and soccer program in my new position as an alum. It always has been, and will continue to be, a great day to be a Tartan.