The pen hits the paper, the cameras flash and, with one signature, a dream becomes a reality. On Nov. 14, senior Emerson Mustard officially made her commitment to play lacrosse at the University of Tampa.
For Mustard, this moment was years in the making. Since childhood, she dedicated herself to athletics, excelling in both basketball and lacrosse—she has now played basketball for 10 years and lacrosse for eight. She has been a varsity athlete in both sports since her freshman year, earning recognition at local and national levels.
Mustard’s achievements include earning All-District honors in both sports, being named First-Team All-Region for basketball and receiving a nomination for the McDonald’s All-American Basketball Games. Despite her basketball resume, Mustard’s journey took a turn.
“Growing up, my dream was to play basketball in college,” Mustard said. “But after my freshman season, I got burnt out and began to not enjoy the sport as much as when I was younger.”
Burnout is a common challenge for student athletes. According to the NCAA, it results from excessive training, stress and insufficient recovery, leading to physical exhaustion, mental fatigue and decreased motivation. Without balance and rest, many athletes struggle to maintain their passion for the sport they once loved.
“I didn’t enjoy playing sports anymore,” Mustard said. “Jumping into lacrosse was like a whole new beginning, and it made me happy. I realized that lacrosse was a positive outlet that I didn’t want to give up after high school.”
Mustard’s decision to pivot from basketball to lacrosse came as a surprise to many, including her family and coaches. Lacrosse had always been her second sport, but as she rediscovered her love for competition, it quickly became her priority. She began attending lacrosse tournaments and college camps, dedicating herself to the recruiting process, while still fulfilling her commitments to basketball. After making the decision to commit her time to lacrosse, she was selected for the D.C. Metro Team in the USA Lacrosse National High School Tournament twice, playing for the D.C. Burn Team in the 2023 New Balance All-America tournament.
“Balancing two varsity sports has not been a major challenge for Emerson, but it does prevent her from attending the off-season lacrosse Green Days,” girls lacrosse coach Rebecca Wills said. “Her commitment to both sports means she has to prioritize her schedule, which leads to her missing those off-season sessions.”
Even though Mustard decided not to pursue basketball in college, she stayed dedicated to her high school team, earning the role of team captain. She embraced the leadership role, balancing her responsibilities while continuing to support her teammates.
“The hardest part about committing was managing all of my responsibilities,” Mustard said. “Every weekend, I was either at a tournament or at a college camp. I was a high school student who still had to focus on getting good grades, being in season for both basketball and lacrosse and making sure I still had a social life. On top of all those commitments, I was having to play my best in front of hundreds of college coaches and learn to communicate with them.”
Ultimately, Mustard chose the University of Tampa, a school with a dominant women’s lacrosse program. Her decision was influenced by her cousin, a 2024 Tampa graduate who played on the team and introduced her to the program. Witnessing her cousin win multiple championships, including a national championship, inspired Mustard to follow in her footsteps.
“Once I stepped foot onto the campus, I saw how beautiful it was and that it was close to the beach.” Mustard said. “The climate of Tampa and the school’s strong academics, I knew it was the perfect place.”
While Mustard believes in hard work in and out of sports, her teammates recognize it as well, viewing her as a captain and leader. Her dedication has not gone unnoticed by her teammates and coaches.
“Emerson is a skilled athlete who brings a positive energy to the team with her kindness and approachability,” Wills said. “Her natural talent and supportive attitude make her a valued teammate. She is always friendly and encouraging, making her someone others enjoy being around.”
Beyond her athletic abilities, Mustard is known for her leadership and kindness. Former basketball teammate, close friend and senior Reese Acocella describes her as an uplifting presence both on and off the court.
“Emerson is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met,” Acocella said. “She always puts others before herself and isn’t afraid to stand up for others. She has a genuine heart, and to know Emerson is to love her.”
Mustard balances sports, school, and other commitments while meeting the demands of the college recruitment process. She managed her schedule to maintain her academic performance, compete in multiple sports, and participate in tournaments and college camps.
“I knew what my end goal was and how badly I wanted it,” Mustard said. “I had to sacrifice parts of my social life and basketball career, but in the end, I reached my goal.”
