My name is Chase Cooke, and I am a freshman at the University of Dubuque doing a double major in Applied Aviation Technology and Mathematics. I have the honor to be a defenseman for the UD men’s Hockey team and have had the privilege of playing the sport of hockey for the past 18 years. While some of my greatest life lessons and memories have come from hockey, it has all forced me to deal with some of my toughest battles in life; including overcoming a season ending injury that required a major surgery in 2023. Hockey has allowed me to form long lasting relationship with not only teammates and coaches, but also the different billet families that had graciously opened their homes and welcomed me into their families during my past 5 years of junior hockey. In my recent years as a high-level athlete, I have been able to relate a strong connection between my physical health and mental wellness. The ability to let go of every issue, worry, struggle, or negative event that is happening in my life while my skates are touching the ice is the greatest form of therapy anyone could offer me. Hockey serves as an outlet for many of my emotions that can be a struggle to understand and navigate. It allows me to control and regulate everything happening in my life and create a healthier mindset and allow me to be the best version of myself at the rink and away from the rink. Lessons and characteristics that I have learned while partaking in my sport have helped me substantially off the ice; either by focusing in the classroom, developing good time management skills, creating a competitive work ethic, and gaining the attributes to become a good. The importance of reaching a well-balanced level of physical and mental health is something every person should strive to find; however, this can be a daunting task for many college students and athletes. I would preach to always reach out to the countless support groups and staff whenever needed and remember that there are peers just like you and they’re going through the same difficulties – so just remember, you are never alone.
