Embodying the Spirit of "I Will" Try Through Athletic Communications

Arriving at Norwich University in August marked the start of two new journeys at once: life in the Corps of Cadets and my first semester on The Hill. Before classes even began, Rook Week introduced us to the expectations of Norwich with early mornings that started at 4:50 a.m., constantly moving on a tight schedule, and learning from cadre who demanded focus and accountability. More than anything, Rook Week grounded us in the values that define Norwich: I Will Try and Service Before Self.

As Rook Week came to a close, the campus club fair gave me my first chance to look beyond the barracks and learn about other opportunities to get involved on campus. I knew Rookdom would be demanding, but finding a work-study job was still important to me. One table immediately stood out — Athletic Communications. Having done communications work in high school, I stopped by the Athletic Communications table, introduced myself to Associate Director of Athletic Communications Ben Zacher and the AthComms team, and shared my background. Some of the responsibilities sounded familiar, while others were completely new, but I was eager to learn. That conversation became my first step into Athletic Communications.

My first game day brought plenty of excitement. Everyone met in the office before the first women’s soccer match of the season to go over assignments and get introduced. From the start, the environment felt friendly and focused on learning, while still holding everyone to professional standards. I had experience operating cameras for live streams, but I wanted to push myself and learn how to spot for statistics. The AthComms team took the time to teach me what to watch for and how to record it, making sure I felt prepared before the game started.

Once we moved to the press box, the atmosphere shifted. Everything became more focused and professional. I made a few mistakes early in the game, but as play continued, I settled in and became more accurate. By the second half, I was much more confident. After the match, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications Adam Salisch provided feedback focused on what I did well and where I could improve, which helped me learn quickly. Over time, I began spotting for multiple home sports. Each one was different. Football, for example, was the most intense because of the number of people involved with various individual responsibilities to provide information to Mr. Salisch, but by living out "I Will Try," I kept improving with every game.

Around the beginning of October, I started taking on more responsibility. For large events like football games, Athletic Communications requires significantly more people, many of whom have never done communications work before. With so many moving parts before kickoff, I tried to help where I could, including working with some of the newer individuals on what they would be doing. That experience reinforced what I was learning in the Corps — putting service to the University ahead of personal convenience and helping the AthComms team succeed.

My role continued to grow beyond game-day operations. While preparing for the Hockenbury Classic, I was responsible for collecting starting lineups and headshots for opening graphics. A few days before the classic, Mr. Zacher asked if I would be willing to call play-by-play for the livestream. That opportunity pushed me far outside my strong suit. Being on the microphone meant representing Norwich University in real time, knowing that mistakes would reflect on both me and the institution. I said yes because the department needed help and because I wanted to challenge myself. In doing so, I discovered a role within Athletic Communications that I truly enjoy.

Being a part of Athletic Communications while going through Rookdom was not easy. After long workdays, while other members of the AthComms team might relax or socialize, I returned to the barracks and reimmersed into the Corps. Although there were challenges, I am glad that I was a part of it because it reinforced Norwich’s values. In the middle of the multi-day Hockenbury Classic, my Rook class was recognized. During the ongoing celebrations after recognition, I returned to AthComms because I had committed to help. In all, it was an experience that truly drove home what Service Before Self means. 

Through my time in Athletic Communications, my understanding of "I Will Try" has grown. I thought I knew what it meant, but it wasn’t until the end of the semester that I learned a more personal meaning. It no longer means just giving something a shot — it means giving 100% effort, especially when the task is difficult or unfamiliar. Athletic Communications has shown me how much Norwich University can shape an individual’s character, confidence, and leadership. It has helped me to understand the motto I Will Try, grow beyond my capabilities, and better understand the kind of person I want to become.