Sports taught me that it is okay to be aggressive, goal-oriented, and tenacious as a woman. It allowed me to be surrounded by like-minded girls who just wanted to play hard and be a part of a family. They allowed me to grow confidence, self-esteem, and navigate the social landscapes of childhood and adulthood. But once college lacrosse and my professional lacrosse season ended, that confidence and self-esteem seemed to go out of the window as well. When you stop your sport cold turkey, your identity ultimately changes. Who I thought I was, was no longer me. I wasn’t just the “girl who played lacrosse” anymore, I was just Sarah. And that scared me. Who was I? I had no clue whatsoever. Ever since I graduated in 2017 and ended my professional season in 2018, I have been reshaping my identity and trying to dive deep into who I really am as a person, what I actually like, and what I’m passionate about, outside of sport. As of 2022 (27 years old), here is what I’ve learned so far, and I think it will help a lot of players leaving their sport: You are still the same person you always were. Some parts of you have just been pushed to the side. Those little hobbies you had after practice? Those article topics you loved to read? Those classes in college you thought were cool? That weird talent you never took seriously? Those are all YOU, and they WILL show themselves once you end your sport. They’re just eagerly waiting for you to give them attention now. Sport is also always there as well. Just because you “ended”, doesn’t mean it’s over. I told myself it was totally over, and it made it worse mentally and physically for me. I had no clue how to eat right, casually exercise, rest adequately, understand my mental health issues and neurological differences, or handle emotional stress after my career. What I know now is that there are so many adult leagues, other sports, and women out there who WANT to play or just pass the ball around with you, and it’s OKAY to give in and do that! You are NOT washed up. You may say you are and make light of it as a joke, but that is only hurting you in the end. I know how much your identity and heart are hurting - let yourself play in anyway you can, and practice treating it as a passion instead of as a job (like it used to be). You are still the same person, there’s just more to you now that you’re finally able to clearly see. That is cause for celebration

I was recruited as a highschool sophomore to the University of Virginia, played freshman season there in 2013-2014 and experienced the Final Four. I then transferred to UMass Amherst and played there until I graduated in 2017 and experienced the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 and won 3 A-10 championships. I was a Division I IWLCA and Inside Lacrosse All-American, 2017 A10 Defensive Player of the Year, 2017 All-Atlantic 10 Conference, IWLCA All-Northeast Region, and All-ECAC First Team, and 2017 ECAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year. After I graduated I played one professional season for the UWLX on Boston Storm, until the league was disbanded shortly after.

But guess what I am now? Something even better, something MORE. I am a businesswoman and teacher. I created and built my own business off of everything I learned in lacrosse and life thus far - Superkid Fitness, a sports and fitness program designed for neurodivergent and autistic children. I am also newly a Preschool Director that teaches many special needs children. My interests, talents, and passions have always been in the background, and now they’re shining through. They will for you too. I have tried sports like boxing, weightlifting, and a new adult women lacrosse league, and I have no regrets! DM me directly if you ever need to talk. I wish I had someone to talk to back then

Cause for Celebration: Sarah Crowley