My name is Grant Paetzold I am from Cameron Wisconsin. I am a junior at UD majoring in Criminal Justice with aspirations to be a police officer. I also play on the UD Men’s basketball team.
Coming from a small town, the jump to a big college campus where you do not know everyone by name can be challenging. Being on the basketball team here I immediately felt welcomed and it gave me a sense of belonging and purpose. My teammates, coaches, and teachers have all pushed me daily to be the best student athlete I can be. This experience has boosted my confidence, showing that I can thrive even when I’m far from home.
Beyond the physical benefits that come with being on a college basketball team, it has given me emotional balance and confidence. Being part of a close-knit team at the University of Dubuque makes me feel supported, especially during the stressful times that come in college. Sharing the victories and setbacks with teammates has helped me build resilience and a positive mindset. When I am on the court, I can release all the stress and focus on playing the sport that I love, this keeps me mentally grounded and happy. I am thankful that basketball and my time in college has helped me take care of myself mentally and physically.
I encourage others to learn to start small and to build to something big. Just as I came from a small town to a bigger college community, I had to start small by building relationships, developing myself physically, and working through my daily struggles. From there, I was able to develop the skills and connections to push myself beyond what I thought was possible in a small town in Wisconsin. I now see a lifetime of possibilities laid out in front of me and grounded in my physical and mental health.
