Letter of Endorsement: Skylar Stam

To Whom It May Concern,
            My name is Skylar Stam, I am a graduate of Ogden High School and a current student of Weber State University. I played soccer all 4 years at Ogden and continued on to play on Weber State's Women's Soccer team where we were the winners of the NCAA Big Sky Championships in `09. As a child I remember traveling to the Weber State field sitting on the hill and watching the college girls play wishing that one day I could be like them and play on a field like that. I am the first child in my family that has attended college and I know without a doubt that debt is owed to soccer as well as the coaches that met me along the way.

My time at Ogden High not only shaped me as a player but even more so as a person. Every great friendship I have made was created on the field, every practice held a deeper meaning, and each game seemed to be a test of character. My coach built a program centered on respect, hard work and sportsmanship. Respect yourself; respect me, your teammate, your parents, your opponents and the officials. Every opportunity whether it was on the field or off was a chance to work hard at becoming a better player, person or student. "Do not cut corners!" To this day his voice rings out in my head, whether I am out for a jog and that short cut is teasing me or I am finishing a paper for school. "Every class, everyday day, on time!" That short sentence could be recited by hundreds of current or graduated students that have come through this program and had the opportunity to have been coached by Sterling Castle. Many who have that short sentence to thank for without it and this soccer program they would not have walked across that stage at the end of their senior year.

I personally have seen soccer save lives, rescue friends and fellow soccer players from definite sorrow in their lives; not because these people are bad people merely because they have bad or unlucky circumstances. I can personally attest to soccer keeping me on what some say is the straight and narrow. I learned everything good from soccer and all taught by my coach. My senior year I was expected to be a leader, for it was only me and one other senior. I for the first time in my life had a group of 30 other people who were looking to me to do and say the right things. I never truly understood what I was capable of until I had this opportunity and I learned things I will never forget and that will follow me in life forever. They say good things take time; I believe that Ogden and the community have waited long enough. It is time to put the Ogden on the map as a place to create and showcase athletes, people, and a community that we are proud of. A place that all kids like myself will go to and hope to one day be able to play on; that perhaps that one hope and dream will pull them through high school and college as it did for me.

This field will be a real feather in our cap and I believe that the time is now; we can change lives and build an image that people cannot wait to be a part of.  A place to bring our community together as one and share an idea of respect and love for the game as well as each other. We have an opportunity to create something that Ogden has never had. Soccer will only continue to grow and grow, why not give Ogden and Weber County a place to call our own? A soccer specific complex; some may see only that but for those who look a little deeper so much more will be created. A classroom, a safe haven, a place that holds neither judgments nor expectations; place that allows a young child to become something great or perhaps to see what it takes to become or achieve greatness. We all believe in something, someone, or the idea of what could be. I believe that this project holds every opportunity we allow it to.

                                                                                    Thank You,

                                                                                               

Skylar Stam