3 athletic excellence requires dedication commitment, application, diligence, industry, resolve, enthusiasm, zeal, conscientiousness, perseverance, persistence, tenacity, drive, staying power; hard work, effort. antonym apathy, laziness.
dedication |ˌdediˈkā sh ən|
|ˈdɛdəˌkeɪʃən| |dɛdɪˌkeɪʃ(ə)n| noun
1 the quality of being dedicated or committed to a task or purpose : his dedication to his duties.
2 the words with which a book or other artistic work is dedicated
