On the Blueline: Team Building Done, Now it's on to the Games

The following article, written by former Harvard standout Caitlin Cahow, appeared February 10 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. 12 - Feb. 7, 2010

The day we have been waiting for is finally here! We are once again sitting in the Denver International Airport, moments away from boarding our flight to Vancouver! For many of us, this represents more than another departure. It is an ascension out of the years of hard work and sacrifice into the promise of great achievement. In the last few games we have played, we have looked more like a team than ever before. Our passes are crisp, our efforts are true and we are skating like a team possessed by our shared quest for gold. Today we move one step closer, by getting on the plane. Last night we spent our last few hours in the cafeteria at the Olympic Training Center. The staff set up a special late meal for us after our game against Finland. They cooked all of our favorites and decorated the tables for a special send off celebration. We may be the ones on TV representing our country, but it is the ones who go unmentioned like the staff members at the OTC who are the real heroes for helping us be the best versions of ourselves.

Even though our schedule is hectic right now, we try to stay in touch with the communities that support us. Just this week Gigi Marvin and I ventured out to Pioneer Elementary School in Colorado Springs where we participated in their Olympic Reading Program. The kids can earn gold, silver and bronze medals by completing chapters, books and other reading assignments. The students we spoke to were all Olympic champions in reading. I couldn't have been more impressed by these kids, and, I have to admit, a little jealous of them. When I was their age (I can't believe I just used this expression. My mother says this all the time and now despite my best efforts, I am turning that corner), and had my nose perpetually stuck in a book I could have used this sort of validation. I didn't have any medals to wave at the taunting hordes while I was walking around in a matching sweat suit with braces and a book in hand with what would charitably be called unkempt hair (more like the beginning of dreadlocks). Yeah, middle school not my most attractive phase. Some might argue things have not changed nearly enough, but at least at this point, I have a real Olympic medal to distract from my bad hair days. In any event, Gigi and I had a fantastic time talking to all the kids not only about the importance of reading, but the importance of discipline and perseverance. My favorite topic when I speak in this sort of setting is always about the importance of school and learning. I know that I won't be playing hockey forever, and some of the greatest memories I will keep will revolve around my time as a student-athlete at Harvard. My dream for every kid is to experience that same opportunity.

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