University of North Carolina Athletics
I'm A Tar Heel: Mark Rizzo
March 29, 2017 | Men's Lacrosse
Dear Tar Heels,
Thank you for everything. For your endless support, your incredible devotion to this university, and for your constant belief in us even when the odds may not be in our favor. Time and time again, you are there to propel us toward unforgettable victories, along with always picking us up when we are down. Your belief in our capabilities both on and off the field is what motivates us to reach unimaginable heights.
To say that I am a Tar Heel and a member of this UNC community gives me an indescribable sense of pride. I love being a Tar Heel and everything associated with that feat. Thanks to the incredible people here and the lasting memories we've shared together; Chapel Hill has become home for me.
Looking back, my athletic career wearing Carolina blue was not what I had envisioned it to be. The human anatomy is a complex thing. Rather than running up and down Fetzer on Saturdays, I often found myself following rehab protocol off to the side, working tirelessly for an opportunity to be able to join my teammates.
There were dark days, no doubt about it, but that's what makes the victories that much sweeter. I came to this university to become a part of something bigger than myself. Donning the Carolina blue and representing the University of North Carolina with utmost excellence is something that I strive to do every day. Through the setbacks, defeats and failures, this university and its amazing people give me strength and support to keep pushing, keep fighting.
While the human anatomy and injuries may be difficult to understand at times, my love for UNC has never wavered. This ride that has become a journey of wondering what will come next for me in my athletic career has taught me one thing, and that is the thing that I am most grateful for: seeing the beauty in little things and celebrating the details. I am hopeful that I am leaving UNC as an even better place than when I got here, as hard to imagine as that is.
My coaches, teammates and fellow Tar Heels have had such a large hand in shaping the man that I've become. The laughs we've shared, the tears we've shed and the 'Hark the Sound's' we've sung will forever be etched in my memory. And to my family, thank you for instilling in me the value of loyalty, and what it means to stand with courage while giving yourself up for something you love.
My name is Mark Rizzo, and I will forever be a Tar Heel
Go Heels!
