For many athletes, quitting a sport often feels like giving up. They are expected to push through challenges, stay committed, and never walk away. However, for some, stepping away can be one of the best choices they make. Veryl Burns and Mason Fleisher decided to quit and found peace with that choice.
For Burns, the decision didn’t happen overnight. It built up over time.
“I first started thinking about it during the unofficial season,” Burns said. “I stopped liking it. I used to love going to practices, but it started to feel like a chore.”
What was once enjoyable slowly turned into something they dreaded, making it harder to continue in the sport.
Several factors contributed to Burns’ final decision. A significant one was a shift in priorities.
“I didn’t enjoy playing anymore, and I also wanted to focus on my grades while picking up more shifts at work,” Burns explained.
As school and other responsibilities became more important, continuing volleyball no longer seemed right. Burns also mentioned that their mental state played a role, realizing they needed to focus on what mattered most in their life at that time.
After quitting, Burns felt immediate relief.
“When I first did it, I felt like a weight had been lifted off me,” Burns said. “It made me feel less stressed.”
This sense of freedom showed that the decision positively impacted their well-being. However, the experience wasn’t entirely without downsides. Over time, Burns missed their teammates, who had become close friends. Still, Burns stood by the choice, saying there was no regret because it was ultimately what was best for them.
Burns also noticed improvements in other areas of life almost right away.
“It was directly after I quit because it relieved so much stress and made me feel more focused on more important things,” Burns said.
With fewer pressures from practices and games, there was more time and energy to focus on academics and work.
When asked what advice they would give to others in a similar situation, Burns’ message was clear:
“If it is still enjoyable and you love doing it, stick with it. But if it doesn’t bring you joy anymore, then quitting is okay. Don’t let other people sway you, do what’s best for you in that moment.”
Their response underscores an important idea that often gets overlooked in sports culture. Personal happiness and well-being should come first.
Fleisher’s experience, while similar in outcome, stemmed from a different set of pressures. As a Criminal Justice major who had just finished the police academy, he understood that balancing sports with his career would be challenging.
“I sort of knew my time on the team was going to be short lived,” Fleisher said. “I think I could’ve made it work, but it would have been very stressful, and I wanted to prioritize my career, which is going to outlast Neumann volleyball.”
His decision reflects a long-term mindset, choosing stability and future goals over short-term participation.
Work obligations played a significant role in Fleisher’s choice.
“The biggest factor was definitely my work that had a lot of conflicts in my schedule,” he explained.
In addition to scheduling issues, he also voiced frustrations within the team environment.
“I was also not pleased with the coach’s communication failures and felt a level of disrespect from it,” Fleisher said.
These combined challenges ultimately pushed him to step away from the team.
Unlike Burns, who felt immediate relief, Fleisher felt conflicted at first.
“I was pretty conflicted the day of our first in-season practice when I ultimately made the decision,” he said. “I love the guys and wanted to have that time with them, but the pros couldn’t outweigh the cons.”
Despite that initial uncertainty, his perspective changed over time.
“Later, I was fully satisfied with my decision, being able to enjoy a much more flexible schedule and time to myself when I’m not working.”
That clarity became more apparent as the season went on.
“A few weeks into what would have been the regular season, the free time was obvious,” Fleisher said. “Being able to just focus on school and work was very freeing.”
Like Burns, he found that stepping away allowed him to better manage his responsibilities and reduce stress.
Fleisher’s advice to others was straightforward and personal.
“Don’t do something just because other people want or expect you to do something, and stand up for yourself,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of self-respect and prioritization, even when it’s tough.
“Although playing with my teammates another year would have been great, I needed to prioritize myself, my needs, and my schedule. Be selfish and do what is best for you.”
While Burns and Fleisher had different reasons for quitting, both experiences highlight a common theme. Walking away from a sport is not always a sign of failure. Instead, it can be a thoughtful decision based on personal needs, mental health, and future goals. In a culture that often celebrates pushing through no matter what, their stories offer a different perspective. Sometimes, knowing when to step away is the strongest decision an athlete can make.
