Leaving a Passionate Legacy
Written By Everett McKee
UH Hilo junior and Kinesiology major, Ashley Duyao after practice with three up and coming athletes. Photo courtesy of Ashley Duyao.
According to the Oxford dictionary the word “Passion” is defined as a strong and barely controllable emotion. Ashley Duyao used this word to describe her compulsion towards the sport of basketball. As a junior who is a part of the Lady Vulcans basketball team here at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Duyao has her mind set studying in the field of kinesiology. “As an athlete it is always good to know both the technicalities of the sport as well as bodily function knowledge. The information goes hand in hand,” stated Duyao.
Originally a native of California, Duyao has used her knowledge to support up and coming athletes. “At the end of the road, for an athlete, you want to be able to look back on your career [and] see the legacy you have left for future generations,” Duyao stated. With this belief, Duyao had found a selfless way to be remembered in the eyes of the future generations of basketball players.
“I began coaching youth basketball with athletes in the second and third grade. There is a huge difference from being able to play a sport as opposed to teaching it,” said Duyao. As a student looking for a future in exercise science, Duyao spoke on the many lessons she has learned through her interactions.
“Two things that are the hardest lessons I taught were patience and humility. For both [myself] and upcoming athletes, having the ability to patiently examine and take information is a hard thing to do when you are so young and rambunctious. Humility is also an important lesson to learn as an athlete. I have always been instilled with this lesson that those who perform need not speak because actions always speak louder than words.”
Youth basketball practice held at UH Hilo Gymnasium. Photo Courtesy of Ashley Duyao.
Not only has she coached athletes at such a young age but, Duyao also made her way into high school coaching and applying these same lessons to older generations. “The real goal of coaching, I have learned, is that you not only want these kids to be better athletes, but better human beings. Teaching lessons like humility and patience are critical to approaching the arduous issues in life. I think the best legacy I could leave for myself is knowing I helped mold not just great athletes but extraordinary individuals. [Individuals] who are able to continue using these lessons in their own personal lives,” said Ashley.
Personally, Duyao noted the effect these lessons have had on her as an individual. “To truly know something one must be able to teach it. But, I think through this I’m still learning to grasp this lesson of patience myself. It takes a lot of time and dedication to get these kids to understand everything they need to know. Planning for a future with such a social environment these are just a few of the major lessons I am slowly learning through these interactions that I believe are critical to my future that I foresee,” concluded Duyao.
For those interested in getting involved in athletics or just a physical lifestyle the student life center has not only paid student positions but volunteering opportunities. For more information contact the Director of the Student Life Center at mooreta@hawaii.edu.
