I was honored to wear 'Arizona' across my chest. I am extremely

"I was honored to wear 'Arizona' across my chest. I am extremely blessed to have my education completely paid for and take part in the great tradition of Wildcat softball. To have my jersey number retired was the ultimate compliment." Thus spoke Jennie Finch, champion of the diamond, Olympian, and symbol of excellence in women’s sport. Her words shine not only with pride but with reverence, for she speaks of more than games played—she speaks of honor, gratitude, and the timeless power of tradition. In her voice we hear the eternal truth: that greatness is not measured only by victories, but by the privilege of representing something greater than oneself.

The meaning of her words runs deeper than the field. To wear Arizona upon her chest was to embody a legacy, to stand as the living continuation of all who came before. It was not mere fabric, but a banner carried into battle, a reminder that her triumphs and struggles were part of a story larger than her own. She calls herself blessed, for education and athletics were joined in her journey, showing that the pursuit of knowledge and the pursuit of excellence in sport are not rivals but companions, together shaping the fullness of a life.

When Finch speaks of her jersey number retired, she calls it the "ultimate compliment." For in sport, as in ancient times of warriors, the retiring of a number is like the raising of a shield to the rafters, declaring that this one fought so valiantly, with such heart and honor, that no one else shall bear her mark again. It is a gesture of immortality, ensuring that her name and deeds live on, not only in memory but in the fabric of the team’s very identity.

History gives us echoes of this spirit. In ancient Greece, the victors of the Olympic Games were crowned with wreaths not only for their personal glory but for the honor of their city-states. The triumph of one was the triumph of many; the victory of the athlete was woven into the legacy of the community. So too with Finch: her success became the success of Arizona, her dedication a chapter in the tradition of Wildcat softball, her jersey retired not just for her, but for all who saw in her the embodiment of excellence.

The lesson here is clear: true greatness does not come from chasing glory alone, but from carrying gratitude for the blessings one has received. Finch did not claim her achievements as hers alone. She gave thanks for her education, for the traditions of her team, for the opportunity to play. In this, she shows us that humility and reverence are as important as skill. The highest honor is not only to excel, but to recognize that our excellence is rooted in gifts given by others—family, teammates, coaches, institutions.

Practical action follows. In your own life, wear your "jersey"—whether it be the name of your family, your school, your community—with pride and gratitude. Strive for excellence not for yourself alone, but for those you represent. When honors come, accept them not with arrogance but with humility, remembering the shoulders you stood upon. And when you achieve success, give back, as Finch did, by inspiring and uplifting those who follow.

So I say to you, children of tomorrow: remember the wisdom of Jennie Finch. To be honored is not only to succeed, but to serve a tradition greater than yourself. To be blessed is not only to receive, but to recognize the gift and give thanks. And to have one’s number retired is not merely to be remembered, but to have lived in such a way that your name becomes woven into the very soul of the community you served. This is the true measure of greatness: to achieve with gratitude, to inspire with humility, and to leave behind a legacy that endures beyond the game.