Completed Event: Women's Basketball at Eastern Kentucky on March 19, 2026 , Loss , 58, to, 72
Final Score
Women's Basketball
58
at Eastern Kentucky
72
The University of Utah Athletics
Dear Freshman Me: Erika Bean
5/23/2018 1:24 PM | Women's Basketball
The Utah women's basketball seniors wrote letters to their freshman selves this summer in a series called "Dear Freshman Me", starting with Erika Bean.
Dear Freshman Me,
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It has been a long journey, but you've made it. While you are reading this, I am embarking on my final year at the University of Utah. The decision of what college to attend wasn't easy, but I guarantee you, you made the right choice. At the University of Utah you will find change, growth, struggle, hope, setbacks, opportunity, doubt, and destiny. This is a place that is perfect for you! Everything that happens here is all a part of God's greater plan.
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Many people asked, "Why Utah?" trying to impose their opinions on your new experience, but I cannot wait for you to experience Utah for yourself. Utah is a beautiful place! It is not Sacramento, but I promise you waking up to the golden sun peaking out over the Wasatch Mountains during the hot summers, or the blankets of snow coating the streets of Salt Lake in the winters will be something you'll come to love. You will discover the majestic scenery, the delicious food found throughout Salt Lake, amazing teammates, great coaching staff, and the adventures that await, is why Utah!
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You will never forget your time as a Ute. You will experience new friendships and create long-lasting relationships and memories like: trips to Italy and the Bahamas, a tough Chemistry class, playing in Gonzaga's rocking McCarthy Athletic Center, a hard-fought battle against USC, "roomie talks," Sunday dinners with teammates, long hours of studying, and that's just part of it. You'll even dive into a pool for the first time (yikes!). You will have a blast! Let me reassure you, everyday won't be easy, but it will be worth it. These next four years will fly by quickly so it's important that you cherish everyday, the good and the bad, because times like these only come once in a lifetime.
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You came to Utah because of your academic success and your basketball skills. These two things will consume a lot of your time over the next four years, but that's nothing new to you, as that has always been since you were younger. I want you to know there is more within you. You'll discover a passion and be able to put the camera your mom gave you to good use. Photography will create a space for you to unleash your creativity and "get away" from some of the stresses of college. You'll enjoy exploring the world around you through a lens and capturing the beauty of the people closest to you. College provides the opportunity to discover who you are. You'll become a student, an athlete, a sleeper, and even a photographer.
Â
Here is my advice to you, believe in yourself. You fell in love with the game of basketball at a very young age and never looked back. Watching Candace Parker at Tennessee, Maya Moore at UCONN, Kristi Toliver at Maryland, the Ogwumike sisters at Stanford, and many others sparked that dream of yours to play at an elite level—Division 1 Basketball, while earning an elite education. This dream is now a reality! You are at the University of Utah, playing in one of the best conferences in the nation and working to achieve your degree. You are here for a reason. Believe in that! Believe in you! Utilize that confidence that brought you here to overcome every challenge, face every doubt, and enjoy every moment on and off the court.
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And when you finish up your last year at the University of Utah, make the most of it. You're doing what you love while living out that dream that a little girl once had. Now don't stop dreaming because you were destined for greatness and even greater things are in store. Believe in you!
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Dear Freshman Me,
Â
It has been a long journey, but you've made it. While you are reading this, I am embarking on my final year at the University of Utah. The decision of what college to attend wasn't easy, but I guarantee you, you made the right choice. At the University of Utah you will find change, growth, struggle, hope, setbacks, opportunity, doubt, and destiny. This is a place that is perfect for you! Everything that happens here is all a part of God's greater plan.
Â
Many people asked, "Why Utah?" trying to impose their opinions on your new experience, but I cannot wait for you to experience Utah for yourself. Utah is a beautiful place! It is not Sacramento, but I promise you waking up to the golden sun peaking out over the Wasatch Mountains during the hot summers, or the blankets of snow coating the streets of Salt Lake in the winters will be something you'll come to love. You will discover the majestic scenery, the delicious food found throughout Salt Lake, amazing teammates, great coaching staff, and the adventures that await, is why Utah!
Â
You will never forget your time as a Ute. You will experience new friendships and create long-lasting relationships and memories like: trips to Italy and the Bahamas, a tough Chemistry class, playing in Gonzaga's rocking McCarthy Athletic Center, a hard-fought battle against USC, "roomie talks," Sunday dinners with teammates, long hours of studying, and that's just part of it. You'll even dive into a pool for the first time (yikes!). You will have a blast! Let me reassure you, everyday won't be easy, but it will be worth it. These next four years will fly by quickly so it's important that you cherish everyday, the good and the bad, because times like these only come once in a lifetime.
Â
You came to Utah because of your academic success and your basketball skills. These two things will consume a lot of your time over the next four years, but that's nothing new to you, as that has always been since you were younger. I want you to know there is more within you. You'll discover a passion and be able to put the camera your mom gave you to good use. Photography will create a space for you to unleash your creativity and "get away" from some of the stresses of college. You'll enjoy exploring the world around you through a lens and capturing the beauty of the people closest to you. College provides the opportunity to discover who you are. You'll become a student, an athlete, a sleeper, and even a photographer.
Â
Here is my advice to you, believe in yourself. You fell in love with the game of basketball at a very young age and never looked back. Watching Candace Parker at Tennessee, Maya Moore at UCONN, Kristi Toliver at Maryland, the Ogwumike sisters at Stanford, and many others sparked that dream of yours to play at an elite level—Division 1 Basketball, while earning an elite education. This dream is now a reality! You are at the University of Utah, playing in one of the best conferences in the nation and working to achieve your degree. You are here for a reason. Believe in that! Believe in you! Utilize that confidence that brought you here to overcome every challenge, face every doubt, and enjoy every moment on and off the court.
Â
And when you finish up your last year at the University of Utah, make the most of it. You're doing what you love while living out that dream that a little girl once had. Now don't stop dreaming because you were destined for greatness and even greater things are in store. Believe in you!
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Players Mentioned
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