My name is Mason Smiley, and I am from Thornton, Colorado. I am a transfer freshman at UD, and I am a flight major with aspirations to become a commercial pilot for a major airline. I also compete on the football team at UD. As a transfer, the transition has not been easy. It has been a quick turnaround for me and my family as I had to move out of my old institution and move into UD, communicate with many different people about what needs to be done before I get to campus, and also starting fresh on a new team, at a new school, and in a new state far from home. My parents and coaches have implemented the idea that we were students before we were athletes. And with that comes mental and physical health priorities. Staying healthy, both mentally and physically, is very important to succeed not only on the field, but in the classroom as well. I’ve played football, baseball, and wrestled since I was six years old, and my biggest takeaway over the last 12 years is that being confident and mentally prepared is the most important part. Above all, to maintain a balance between my mental and physical health, I focus on the controllables. By focusing on what I can control, I am most successful both on the field and in the classroom as it is easier to accomplish tasks. This helps me push myself to be better every single day, and lead others to success as well.
