Being a university student on it's own is a tough undertaking, imagine doing it when leaving home at 18 or 19, traveling to a new city far from friends and family. Many young adults might find this experience tough and demanding on its own, but now include the added obligations that come from being a varsity student-athlete and its fantastic how on the whole, a majority of individuals are able to successfully complete degrees while competing in athletics.
We all hear about the so-called jocks, focusing just on their sport, being helped with their studies, fake exams, bogus courses, fixed marks. Those athletes who complete one or two years of university ( and complete might be used loosely here) and move on to the pro ranks. However I call tell you with certainty that overall, this is a very small percentage of all the student-athletes across Canada and the US. Few will go on to pro careers and a majority will complete their degrees and become productive members of society in their chosen fields. Student-athletes receive scholarships, public recognition, travel to various places around the country, a closet full of athletic apparel in school colors, and more. This is what the public sees from the outside, the so called glamour and prestige usually associated with being a student-athlete. However athletic participation may not be as glamorous as many perceive it to be. Student-athletes shouldn't complain. Their status does come with some perks and in most institutions with a support structure not available to the average student. But there is no doubt that it is much harder in university to be a student and an athlete. Not only most they carry a full time course load to be eligible (again I am talking about the real student-athlete) need to stay on top of homework, assignments, studying for tests but they practice 4 or 5 times a week, play games, and make time for a social life, Athletes not only have academic responsibilities, but they also spend countless hours outside the classroom doing various activities in their respective sports. For example, many athletic teams return early to campus to begin per-season conditioning which limits potential summer employment opportunities. During the season, morning or evening sessions are completed as needed around daily classes, and there is evening court practice. Some schools have mandatory study hall and then you can add team meetings, video review, and treatment of injuries all taking place in between these activities. Finally depending on the sport and league, the team travels to and from various universities in athletic competition, and when scheduling permits, the team might also add community service work. Also, student-athletes are subject to rule and expectations that while for other students might be considered normal extracurricular activities for student-athletes, these might be frowned upon by coaches, athletic department administration, the university or governing bodies. For example, a regular student goes out and returns to his or her dorm intoxicated at 4 a.m. and does not awaken for class the next day. This is an individual problem. However, when an athlete takes these types of actions, he or she can be suspended for a few games or suspended indefinitely. Don't get me wrong, the life of a student-athlete is amazing, I think it will give individuals enriching experience that they will take with them well beyond the days of their sports participation. However, I think people from the outside don't always recognize all the commitment that goes into being a successful student-athlete and envy them when only looking at the glamour that seems to be associated with it. I always share with my athletes that being a student-athlete is about going to school and playing sports, it is about adopting a lifestyle that is very different from other students and whose rewards might only come long after graduation.
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AuthorAfter many years of coaching at various levels and with different teams, I thought I would share some of my experiences and thoughts about coaching. Archives
January 2023
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