On the Blueline: Cahow on the Emotion of Unveiling the Roster

Photo by Phillip MacCallum

The following article, written by former Harvard standout Caitlin Cahow, appeared December 18 on the USA Today Web site.

By Caitlin Cahow
Special for USA TODAY

USA women's hockey national team member Caitlin Cahow, a 2006 Olympic bronze medalist, will document her experience for USA TODAY as she prepares to compete at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Entry No. 5 — Dec. 18, 2009

Holla all of you out there for the ladies of the 2010 US Olympic Women's Hockey Team! Yesterday was the official roster revealing at the classically chic Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. Personally, that place gives me the heebie jeebies. Typically, I don't love confined spaces with large crowds, but today I was on cloud nine standing onstage with my 20 teammates as our names were read and our jerseys made truly our own. The whole day went off without a hitch, which was remarkable given the fact that six confetti cannons went off right behind us, bringing us within an inch of our lives and hearing in a massive ticker tape explosion. It was a highly patriotic moment, a little too reminiscent of the battle of Bunker Hill in my opinion, but we emerged no worse for wear and the effect for the crowd was downright outstanding.

My favorite part of the whole day was watching the 15 of my teammates who are headed to their first Olympics. Don't get me wrong, I had goosebumps and was on the verge of tears multiple times, but there is something about realizing that you have made it for the first time that is so provocative. Playing in the Olympics is as good as it gets in women's hockey. There is no "WNHL." Add to that the fact that the Olympics only happen once every four years, and as an Olympian you are representing your country in the greatest event in sports. That is a recipe for some serious emotion, and what I like most about my sport. Every one of my teammates is in it for all the right reasons. There is very little glamour, and a lot of hard work in empty rinks, when no one is watching. You have to hold yourself and your teammates accountable for three years in order to get one shot at history. And it is the absolute greatest life I can imagine.

Complete article can be accessed via the USA Today Web site by clicking here.