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Discovering 50 Things Before I am 50: Sports

[additional-authors]
April 27, 2017
50 before 50: Sports with Lisa Niver

Hello from NYC! I am here to celebrate a milestone family birthday and wanted to share some of my progress on my project of 50 New and Adventurous Things Before I turn 50.

I went to my very first hockey game with JNTO. I loved being in the suite and learning about a whole new sport. I had never watched a hockey game on television or in person before. You may asking yourself, “Did she live under a rock?” Nope! I grew up in Los Angeles and never knew that I LOVE hockey! What a great sport. I love the non-stop action and the giant men jumping over the short wall to get back on the ice. They keep playing even when their sticks break. It was incredible. I cannot wait to go again. Thank you to the JNTO for introducing me to the L.A. Kings. I loved sudden death overtime and a shoot out to ELEVEN! AMAZING!

Video: My first LA Kings hockey game

I went to my very first NCAA Basketball game and saw my own college team, University of Pennsylvania, play at Pauley Pavilion at UCLA. The Quakers were incredible for three quarters. I loved being there, cheering on my team and singing the Red and the Blue. The final score against Texas A&M (63 – 61) did know show that how well they played for most of the game.

Video: My First NCAA Women’s Basketball Game 2017

In the last year, I started a new sport. I am learning to play tennis. My coach recently said, “It is too bad we did not take video of you when you started.” I said, “Why? So people could see how much I sucked?” He said, “No, to see how much you have improved.” Once when I was very new with him, he said, “Lisa, What are you watching? Because it is definitely not the ball.” I had an eye issue for most of my life that was only recently diagnosed and treated.  I always thought I was uncoordinated and kind of wimpy. It turns out I could not hit a baseball or tetherball because I could not see the ball properly. After many months of weekly therapy, my eye doctor recommended I try tennis lessons. I said, “That sounds frustrating.” Dr. Brodney said, “You have learned new skills and now you have to challenge yourself to use them.” I have made great progress and continue to work on my hand-eye coordination.

Video: Lisa Niver’s Tennis Lesson: 15 Months of lessons

It has been exciting to try out new activities like tennis and enjoy sports where I can follow the ball or the puck when others are playing. I recently went on the Olympic Bobsled in Utah. I am on the look out for more new and adventurous activities, let me know any suggestions for my 50 new things list!

Video: Lisa Niver, Adventure Correspondent for The Jet Set, in Utah on the Olympic Bobsled and skiing with the National Ability Center. (starts 16:45)

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