Life as a Student Athlete: Never Easy, But Always Rewarding

Student athletes live very different lives that the rest of the student body. From 6 a.m. lifting sessions, to 6-hour bus trips, time is precious for this segment of the population. I would know, because I have been a part of both.

I quit playing soccer for my college team just after my junior year season had wrapped up. Every time people ask me why I quit with just one year left, I respond one of two ways: “It’s not just the senior year season. It’s the spring season. It’s summer training. It’s preseason. I just could not invest all my efforts into that single activity for one more year.” Or, “There were too many opportunities I was missing out on. I just enjoy other things. I had a spring term internship. I enjoy being active in a sorority, working on my school newspaper, and going on weekend vacations. “

Do I regret playing college soccer? No, I had great teammates and I needed the structure for the majority of my college career. But eventually, I grew out of the desire to play everyday, to attend numerous athletic events, and to be held back from other things. Suddenly, the sport I had played since age 4 turned into an obligation, not an extracurricular activity.

Student-athletes at every level must carefully balance their sports with academics, relationships, and their careers. It requires a huge commitment, but it also generates great rewards. Meet three student athletes at three very unique schools: Jennifer Motylinksi, a freshman, players field hockey at Johns Hopkins, Alison Whitaker, a sophomore, plays golf at Duke University, and Jenna Benigno, a junior, plays volleyball at Quinnipiac University. All three have something in common: they love their sport and love to keep busy.

The student-athlete

Benigno, a nursing major, is under constant academic pressure because of her clinicals and challenging science classes. “I make sure that my academics come before anything,” Benigno said. “‘I live by the saying ‘I’m a student athlete, student comes first.’ So that means every spare moment that I’m not playing volleyball, I’m studying.”

When Motylinski arrived at college this fall, she was overwhelmed at first. As an engineering major, she felt like she had more homework and classes than her teammates and roommate. But, once she found a group to study with and ask questions, her workload seemed much more manageable.

Whitaker learned a great deal about time management last year. She and her teammates use school breaks to catch up on work. “For me, I am better off being an athlete because if you only have one hour to do work, you use every inch of that hour,” Whitaker said. “If you had four hours, you might only get two hours of work in.”

The three student-athletes try to plan their class schedule so that they miss a minimal number of classes, but sometimes it’s impossible to work out. Whitaker plays year-round, so she can’t rely on an off-season to take more difficult classes. She has traveled to New Mexico and Tennessee so far this year and will travel to Florida, California, and Arizona later on this season. She misses a lot of class because of her three-day tournaments, but the teachers understand and she does a lot of work in transit to competitions.

Benigno and Motylinski have shorter travel plans, but the two to five-hour bus ride can take their toll. “My school is helpful toward athletes,” Benigno said. “Many of my teachers say that they like athletes more because they know we get things done and do our job as students because we have little time to waste during the season.”

But do you have any fun?

Yes, college athletes still have time to devote to the “typical” college activities, though their opportunities are more limited. “I enjoy the party/college scene but I don’t feel like I am missing out, nor could I really afford it,” Whitaker said. “We have so much fun when we travel. Golf tournaments are kind of crazy. Traveling is away time that I enjoy.”

Benigno got a taste of the typical college scene spring of her freshman year, when her volleyball program was temporarily cut from the athletic budget. They fought for the team and convinced the administration that the program should not be cut.

“First semester freshman year I thought I was missing out, but then second semester I got to live basically like everyone else,” Benigno said. “I was bored and I hated it. I could not imagine going to college without playing a sport. I still have friends and I still have time to hang out, but I don’t just sit around like some of my friends.”

Motylinski works hard at her academics, but does not want to miss out on the fun of college. “Even though my work is very time-consuming and difficult, I make time for me and time to go out and have fun.”

The power of teammates

The three value their teammates and can’t imagine what they would do without them. Whitaker, an Australian, relies on her six teammates like family since her parents aren’t always just a phone call away. “Golf is such a solitary sport,” Whitaker, who hopes to join the LPGA tour, said. It’s nice to play on a team for a few years. It’s a really enlightening experience.”

Athletes seem to stick together, too. Motylinski built close friendships with her teammates soon after moving in because of all the time she spends with them. She said she is a mostly friends with other athletes and they cheer on each other at games. Whitaker enjoys hanging out with the baseball and lacrosse Duke players. Benigno admits she feels a certain prestige about being on the volleyball team. She likes to be part of the team and be different from everyone else on campus.

Advice for potential/current student athletes

Benigno, Whitaker, and Motylinski had many tokens of advice for potential and current student athletes. Here are a few:

1. Recruiting. Start researching colleges and contacting coaches very early. Attend showcases and, if appropriate for the sport, record a game and send it to coaches. Unless you are a star performer, you must contact coaches.

2. Responsibility to your institution. Understand that your school expects more from you than the majority of the student body. You represent the university and are expected to be appropriate. This includes Facebook and partying. Be responsible, or your scholarship could be at stake.

3. Academics. Just like the NCAA commercial says, “Most college athletes go pro in something other than sports.” Take your classes seriously because even if you do plan on being a professional, you could get hurt and never get to play again.

4. Value your health. Make sure to get adequate sleep, eat healthy and relax. This is important for your sport, but it is also important for your general health. If you don’t sleep enough, your playing will suffer, your academics will suffer, and you will probably be upset. Athletes expend a lot of calories, so make sure you eat often and eat healthy. Relaxation is also important. Take the time to slow down and have some time to yourself.

5. Enjoy! As a student-athlete, you life may be stressful, but sometimes it helps to remember why you play the sport in the first place. As a kid, we started playing sports for fun and friends. These two things should still matter most.

(Photo: Jennifer Benigno, courtesy of Quinnipiac University Media Department)

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