Student athletics. Is it worth the stress of being gone every weekend and missing classes to compete in a sport that you will most likely not do once your graduate from college?

There are pros and cons to the student athlete life. However, I feel the pros out weigh the cons. I always tell my athletes to give the collegiate athlete life a chance…if you don’t like it, you can always quit after the first season. BUT GIVE IT A SEASON before you give up on the sport.

If you are anything like me, I practiced my sport at least 5 hours a day, 6 days a week. After putting in all that effort, you at least owe it to yourself to try college athletics.

Coaching and competitions are a whole different experience compared to the high school athletic ways you are use to. It is harder. It is more competitive. It will break you down before you see it build you back up. You have meets every weekend, usually requiring you to miss classes on occasion.

That is what the athletic tutoring services are for and usually (key word) the professors are very understanding of you being obligated to miss class due to competitions.

Other perks for being a collegiate athlete? Well, you get lots of free things. Such as athletic gear…normally schools will be sponsored by brands such as Nike or Under Armour. Free shoes….free shirts…free sweats. AWESOMENESS!

Another perk. People recognize the athletes around campus and praise your awesomeness. You are totally 100% taken care of, which is fantastic. You need something, they get it for you. They bend over backwards to make your life easier.

All together, although two-a-day practices were stressful and getting all your work done for classes at away meets every weekend caused lots of anxiety, it is totally worth it. When being a student athlete you make your own little family on your team. They cry with you, they cheer for you, they laugh with you…they are your everything and if it was not for them, student athletics would be a horrible thing. All the athletes stick together to make one big, happy family.

“Athletic competition clearly defines the unique power of our attitude.” – Bart Starr