Athletics can be tied to every aspect of one’s existence, say Seasider Sports supervisor and two BYUH students
For BYU–Hawaii students Jarom Notarte and Ashton Finau, standing on the sports field instills them with invaluable lessons that guide them not only through strategic gameplay but also through life’s storms. Every joint of their body has been familiar with strenuous physical activity since childhood, and they said it’s something that has always filled them with a sense of satisfaction and pride.
Notarte, a sophomore in psychology from the Philippines, said this synergy between fatigue and fulfillment helps him weather crazy semesters, deal with frustrations and rest from daily stressors. “It puts me in a different place. It’s like an escape for me when everything is stressful,” he expressed.
Finau, a senior in political science and Pacific studies from Tonga, echoed the same sentiment. For him, all the time and effort he commits to athletics equip him with both physical and mental fortitude—a state of well-being he finds necessary in other areas of life. “Participating in sports makes me feel happy and, at the same time, keeps me healthy,” he shared.
Seasider Sports supervisor Leiloa Malala-apo affirmed by emphasizing the irreplaceable role of athletics in the whole BYU–Hawaii experience, especially given the university’s enduring mission to support all aspects of students’ growth and discipleship. “Sports help build unity, resilience and school spirit so all students can remember they’re forever a Seasider. It reminds them that wellness isn’t just academic or spiritual but also physical and social,” she said.
Sports and stress-relief
From the very first dribble he made against the basketball court at 11 to the first football he kicked towards the goal at 12, Notarte said his passion for sports evolved from an activity done simply for fun to a vital aspect of his overall well-being. Now a sophomore at
Notarte said he has always turned to physical activities, such as sports and exercise, whenever he starts feeling like the burden of emotions and mental fatigue are becoming too much to handle. “Sports and activities like running give me an outlet for my emotions and help me express myself better,” he shared. “There are emotions that I can only be open about in the field.”
Similarly, Finau’s athletic history runs deep and can be traced back to his childhood—back when he was 14 and fervently pursuing his passion for rugby, be it in Tonga or New Zealand. Even though he said he decided to pause from playing to begin his academic journey at BYU–Hawaii, he said he eventually found his boot-clad feet back on the rugby field again. “I think I just like it. It motivates me. Instead of doing things by myself, I can do it with a team. Having teammates around me also inspires me to be more competitive as opposed to competing on my own,” he expressed.
“I go to the gym a lot,” Finau shared, “and although every weight I lift makes me tired, I enjoy it.” Even the saddest days are tolerable, he said, because the entire process of setting his body into motion and letting fatigue set in helps him regulate his emotions. “It helps me open my mind and think about what I’ve been going through, and it gives me a better way to find solutions to the challenges I face every day,” he explained.
“Studying is not easy,” Malala-apo said, “so I find it important for students to recognize the power of physical activity in reducing stress and improving overall mental health.” She said an active lifestyle triggers the release of endorphins, an important bodily chemical that serves as mood elevators and assists the body in coping with both physical and mental stress. That’s why Seasider Sports’ efforts revolve around this dynamic, she continued. “I’ve witnessed students walk away smiling, happy and wanting to come back again for our sports events. They leave feeling like they’ve had a good time. You can tell they’ve released their stress,” she shared.
[Playing sports] puts me in a different place. It’s like an escape for me when everything is stressful.
Lessons from the field
Community, collaboration, strategic planning and communication—these are just a few among the abundance of principles people can foster in athletics, according to Notarte and Finau. “That’s how sports connect to my life. These things help individuals, especially me, to become better and do better in the future,” Finau shared.
“My football team’s name for this semester is ‘Just For Fun.’ My teammates are easy to communicate with, and we play mainly to have a good time,” Notarte shared. He said his attitude towards sports would have been far different if his teammates had been too critical and overbearing. His experience with his current team, he continued, taught him how central having a community is to one’s quality of life. “Playing sports has become more fun for me because I have them,” he expressed.
Meanwhile, Finau said he values the diverse stories he hears from teammates hailing from different cultures. “During breaks, we would share stories and ideas. Whenever I feel burdened, listening to their perspectives and to the lessons they have in their stories wash away my frustrations,” he shared. He said he seeks to foster the same spirit in other aspects of his life, because that’s what community and teamwork is all about: sharing and unity. “You learn from their perspectives, fuse them with your own, and together you can produce stronger results.
Planning and communication are also of paramount importance, Notarte emphasized. “I map out my days and weeks the same way my team captain strategizes efficient assignments and positions before a game, and I try to communicate effectively with my peers the same way I do with my teammates on the football field,” he shared. He said refining these skills gives him a competitive advantage not only in sports but also in every other path he aims to pursue.
Promoting sports on campus
Seasider Sports, according to Malala-apo, was established to cultivate the very same principles Notarte and Finau emphasized: community, teamwork and a balanced lifestyle that supports every student’s overall wellbeing. “Our events are designed to help students recharge in a healthy way and connect socially because it’s always important to socialize. It goes beyond competition. It’s about building a community,” she explained. BYU–Hawaii, she continued, is first and foremost about bringing students together and fostering a strong sense of belonging among individuals from all walks of life.
“We build wellness by creating a positive space where students can stay active, de-stress and grow together as a community,” Malala-apo stressed. She said they focus on encouraging students to uplift each other through friendly competition. “We want them to remember this is for fun. We want them to both play hard and empower each other,” she expressed.