This story initially appeared on Behind the Whistle, the official blog of the IWLCA, and is being republished with permission from the organization. Kelly Downs is the head women's lacrosse coach at Worcester State.

Why do we spend hours breaking down film? Why do we eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in the office or on a bus? Why do we have numerous charges from Dollar Tree, the supermarket, Target, etc., week after week? Why do we do it all in torrential downpour, 20-degree weather, in a pandemic?

• For the excitement of the defense killing the 90-second shot clock

• The endless amounts of swag and apparel

• Bus ride snacks

• Smooth transition from goal line to goal line

• Fast break goals

• Finally shooting around the goalie

• Your senior captain saying exactly what you were about to say during the halftime talk

• The pregame practices and getting excited for your league rival

• The feel of that first night game

• The smiles of game day in the locker room

• All of the eye black … getting all over the uniforms and avoiding your equipment room director all season

• Underdog wins

• Team-high GPA

• The traditions

• Adding to the record books

• The cheers from the stands

• The sideline goal celebrations

• The selfies and all of the Tik Toks

• Postseason accolades

• Tailgates and family-favorite postgame snacks

• Spring break trips

• Bus rides with the music going from Celine Dion ... to Katy Perry … to Cardi B

• The last game of the season filled with tears, all kinds of emotions, sadness, happiness, appreciation, gratefulness. Seeing a member of your family playing their heart out for one last time.

You provided them a safe home for the last four years where they have felt vulnerable to be their true selves. You gave them a shoulder to cry on. You were their biggest cheerleader.

They have become part of your family. You have grown with them, seen them at their highest and lowest, taught them much more than the X’s and O’s and have seen them become something much more than an attacker, midfielder, goalie or defender.

They have become part of your family and are about to enter into the “real world,” forever grateful for the past four years. They will represent themselves for the rest of their lives with resilience, dedication, selflessness and the ability to overcome adversity each step of the way. You have been empowering them to be the person they have become.

This is the why.