Lifelong bonds formed in sports shape our friendships, sense of belong...

Lifelong friendships forged through sports offer a unique sense of belonging, loyalty, and understanding that can be hard to find elsewhere, shaping personal growth and lasting connections beyond the field. This past weekend, I visited my college teammates for our annual gathering. The seven of us were the same age at Duke, and we have clicked very well since we began our freshman year. When I talk to my parents about my teammates, I often describe being around them as being around “my people.” Stoic philosopher Epictetus once said, “Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.” To me, what makes this crew my “people” is that I’ve never felt the need to explain myself to them because we have very similar philosophies in life. We all like to work hard, to feel challenged, to feel that we are growing as people, athletes and professionals, and we like to take time to slow down and be around the people we love to fill our cups. We were technically celebrating a bachelorette trip for one of us who gets married in a few weeks, but it was definitely not your typical bachelorette. When we all woke up one morning, one of them said, “Can we please go do a team lift (weight training)? I have missed those.

“Lifelong friendships forged through sports offer a unique sense of belonging, loyalty, and understanding that can be hard to find elsewhere, shaping personal growth and lasting connections beyond the field.”

Summary: The piece highlights how shared athletic experiences cultivate enduring bonds, personal growth, and a deep sense of belonging among college teammates, reinforcing the idea that “my people” emerge from mutual effort, growth, and support.

Author’s note: This reflection captures how sports create lasting ties and a supportive community that extends beyond competition, reflecting on growth, loyalty, and togetherness.

The Wilson Times — 2025-11-20

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