One of the most important things in life is the achievement a good sense of self perception. One of the best ways people have found how to achieve this self perception is to be a part of something that is much larger than you are. This can be done in a multitude of ways, from donating a few hours a day at some sort of soup kitchen or even by joining one of the many branches of the military.

For many people, like Junior Austin Brummett, they find self perception when they join a sports team. People like Brummett realize that being a part of a team-teaches people how to work efficiently with others, while all fighting towards and having one common goal. That is what Brummett has learned while playing the offensive line of Millikin University’s Football team.

Brummett discussed what it means for him to be a part of a team; especially how being a part of a team has helped to shape his life for the better. “Being part of a team has taught me discipline. As a member of a team of any kind you have a responsibility and people rely on you to do your job and to not let them down. I feel like playing a team sport has made me into a more responsible person and will benefit my life not only in the classroom but in the future when trying to get a job and start a career,” said Brummett.

Being a part of a team takes 110 percent of effort, not only for the individual, but also to the team as a whole. Discipline is exceptionally important, because most often almost every decision the individual makes affects the team before anything else.

Discipline, when on a collegiate team, accounts for two different purposes, if not more. Being on a team requires great physical discipline, as you becoming out of shape on a team is inconvenient and detrimental to both the team and the individual. At Millikin, academic discipline is exceptionally important, because the University is foremost a student-athlete school. If an athlete does not have good grades, they could become ineligible to play, which could greatly affect the team as a whole.

During the interview, Brummett also discussed the importance of being a complete team player. “When you’re part of a team have your peers rely on you and you can’t let them down because you’re a part of something and have a responsibility to do your job,” said Brummett during the interview. The whole concept of being a team player also falls back into discipline, as, by being a part of a team, everything you do affects other players and the team as a whole. So, in order to be a good team player, you have to work as hard as you can in all aspects of academic and social life, in order to ensure the good of the team.