life of a student athlete essay

• Faculty/Staff
• MyMichiganTech
• Safety Data Sheets
• Website Settings

A Day in the Life of a Student-Athlete

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share via Email

They’re more than athletes and students—they’re both.

The term “student-athlete” is not a squished hyphen, a juxtaposition, a default by proximity; it’s a deliberate collaboration between coaches, faculty, prospective students, and current students. What makes Michigan Tech Athletics different is the University’s culture as a whole: This is a great place for both mental and physical might, and the University focuses on preparing student-athletes for their futures. Every school says it; we do it.

What Gets You Out of Bed in the Mornings?

• Lizzie Bloch: Can I say coffee?
• Vicky Quinde: Making my family proud.
• Gaspard Cuenot: First thing I do is open the window and see how the weather is.
• Jacob Wenzlick: Coffee. And I get up and go.

Student-athletes often wake up tired like the rest of us, but the most successful ones—like the Huskies in this story—have discovered a few of life’s secrets during their time at Michigan Tech. They have learned that the “balance” our culture obsesses over in work, life, hobbies, joys, and trials is not found by building a static and carefully constructed fulcrum, but by practicing a dynamic mindset every day. Starting with the motivation to get out of bed.

Abbie Botz plays for the Michigan Tech Women’s Basketball team and is majoring in exercise science . She says motivation comes from making her family, team, and community proud and that she gets through the day-to-day grind by planning ahead.

“Put your headphones in and focus. You get good at doing that anywhere,” Botz says. “In my freshman year, I was really sleep-deprived and that affected my ability both on the court and in the classroom, so I’ve learned to prioritize going to bed earlier, and I’ve noticed that I’m more successful and attentive if I wake up a bit earlier, so I work on my homework then.”

Her coach, Sam Hoyt , says being a mentor means helping students build those individualized habits and demonstrating that a student-athlete represents the University at all times: “It means saying no to a lot of things in order to prioritize your sport, your grades, and your family. Your grades and your athletic performance reflect your program.”

And this isn’t bluster. According to stats provided by American universities, the national average GPA at public universities sits around 3.1 and GPAs for student-athletes have tended to be lower. But the Michigan Tech Women’s Basketball team upholds a 3.7 GPA, the highest across all divisions in the NCAA, and earned several Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) honors this past academic year, including Botz, who was named First Team All-GLIAC. It’s not just basketball players slam-dunking academics. Overall, the 370 student-athletes on 14 competitive teams all keep a GPA above 3.0—averaging a 3.4—and many students receive academic honors, including the 139 on the 2018 Dean’s List.

How do they do it?

How Do You Handle Class and Studying?

• Abbie Botz: It's a learned skill.
• Laura De Marchi: Google calendar.
• Tyler Rockwell: I have this planner here, which is my whole life.
• Lizzie Bloch: Attitude and schedule.

Most student-athletes have morning classes followed by afternoon practice. They make sure to schedule time to eat, work out, study, and rest. Many travel on the weekends during season—though some sports travel less, it can be up to 10 trips for hockey and 17 trips for basketball that can run Wednesday to Sunday.

Mechanical engineering major Vicky Quinde is a tennis player.

Rhys Edwards is here to help. As the director of NCAA compliance and student-athlete services, he teaches a fall course called Student-Athlete 101 and he sees every single incoming student, 110 of them in the 2018 class, who participates in Michigan Tech sports. Edwards tutors them on study techniques—good habits form from practice, not talent—and offers advice to navigate classes, majors, travel, life.

Coaches and staff recruit student-athletes who are prepared for the rigor of a Michigan Tech education and athletic experience. It’s a partnership: Athletics provides the facilities, quality coaching, tutoring, mental health support, and leadership training so the student-athlete can be successful; recruits commit to be the best they can as both students and athletes. Top-notch learning happens at the edge of comfort zones, so the expectations are high, but realistic, and fully supported.

“We break the stigma—if someone needs help, we want them to come to us, we want our students to succeed,” Edwards says. “Taking care of their mental well-being and physical well-being makes them all-around student-athletes.”

Being both a student and an athlete is what brought Gaspard Cuenot to campus. A former skier for the national Swiss team, Cuenot is a senior majoring in marketing who is willing to brave sub-zero temps for winter Nordic ski races around the region.

“There is the same intensity in the classroom as there is on the trail. I know what my goals are and I don’t waste time,” he says. “I know there is no shortcut, so I get to work and do my best.”

What Keeps You Going During a Hard Day?

• Jacob Wenzlick: A ton of water.
• Lizzie Bloch: One task at a time.
• Tyler Rockwell: Sauna after practice.

Student-athletes seem to smile and laugh and joke as much as any other student, but there is an intensity about them. They’re the personification of Michigan Tech values.

“Taking shortcuts is not an option at Michigan Tech. It is not enough to be prepared for athletic competition; it is just as important to be prepared for the academic rigors of the classroom, and it takes a well-rounded and focused person to do that,” says Dan Mettlach , associate head football coach. “Mental toughness for a student-athlete at Michigan Tech is crucial, because the challenges you face go well beyond the field.”

More than half our student-athletes are engineering majors like football player Jacob Wenzlick.

Football player Jacob Wenzlick says that teamwork carries over from time spent on the field.

“Being around other players who have the same challenges in school helps,” says Wenzlick, a mechanical engineering major in his junior year. “When you see other people studying, then it’s easier for you to go do your homework, too.”

Another part of the intensity is counter-intuitive: Performing well takes deliberate rest. Several student-athletes spoke of their first-year tendencies towards perfection and how they’ve learned to focus in on what really matters to them.

“Taking time for yourself helps you keep your concentration and keeps you happy because it’s easy to get lost and frustrated,” says volleyball player Laura De Marchi, a biomedical engineering major. “Many people focus on how their body is doing, but we also need to check in on how our minds are doing, too.”

Afternoon naps, cooking, stretching every night for 50 minutes, taking a phone call from Dad every Saturday morning in the hotel lobby while traveling between games. Everyone has their own way to retreat and recharge. And they’re hard-earned lessons.

“Everyone will struggle,” says cross-country and track runner Liz Bloch, a graduate student in biomedical engineering. “You’re not going to come in and have everything go perfectly, just understanding the important things to get done matters. In the end, it’s all important, but the focus of my education is being a student and being healthy.”

What Do You Eat?

• Vicky Quinde: Plain oatmeal for breakfast. Protein, rice, and vegetables for lunch.
• Jacob Wenzlick: I should probably eat more vegetables.
• Lizzie Bloch: All the vegetables. I hate it but it's true.

Good food and rest are essential to student-athlete performance. And being both a student and an athlete are key ingredients in the recipe for success.

“I know I’m stressed, I have so much to do—but if I don’t go to practice or work out, then I can’t focus. I really need the exercise,” says tennis player Vicky Quinde, a senior studying mechanical engineering with a minor in aerospace and another minor in economics; next year, she will be an assistant coach. She adds that external motivation is a good pressure that also helps her focus: “You commit.”

Commitment is about finding complementary practices. Kristen Monahan , assistant coach with the Nordic ski teams, explains that “more is not always better in regards to training,” she says. “Being a student-athlete requires you to truly be all-in in every aspect of life, every single day; time management, health, sleep, recovery, performance. Being a student-athlete is not easy but is an incredibly rewarding opportunity and an honor.”

• 370 student athletes
• 3.4 student athlete cumulative GPA
• 139 student athletes on the Dean's List
• 14 all 14 teams had a team GPA above a 3.0

Loading. . .

At the End of the Day, What's Special About Being Here?

• Vicky Quinde: My teammates come from around the world; here, we feel like family.
• Abbie Botz: Seeing that people really do care.
• Tyler Rockwell: Professors work with us.
• Gaspard Cuenot: We work well as a team to do well as individuals.

Gaspard Cuenot and other Nordic skiers brave subzero temps at 6 a.m. for races.

Student-athletes themselves are incredible individuals, but on their own they couldn’t thrive and flourish. As much as they personally need sleep, veggies, tailored workouts, and a winning mindset, their collective success grows from the culture established at Michigan Tech by faculty, coaches, fellow students, and the local community.

At the heart of student-athletes’ motivation is the importance of their futures. They decided to play for Michigan Tech as much for the academic drive as the athletic. Tyler Rockwell, a second-year studying finance who plays on the Michigan Tech Hockey team , explains why student-athletes are willing to be both.

“It’s what we love. You can be good at something if you don’t like doing it, but you’re never going to be great at it if you don’t love it,” Rockwell says. “That gets you out of bed for a 7 am workout; it keeps you awake at night to study; it keeps you going after a seven-day road trip when you’re both physically and mentally tired. It keeps you going.”

Professors are a big help in that regard. They proctor exams at odd hours, post lessons online, encourage tutoring, and don’t skimp on feedback, grading, edits, and challenges for their students who also happen to be athletes. Student-athletes here are expected to be competitive in the classroom and smart in the game—and they know it because they’re thinking long-term about their careers, well-being, and happiness.

“As long as there is this passion burning inside you, you can make the magic happen,” Nordic skier Cuenot says. “At the end of the day, if you’re able to find a job that motivates you, then you won’t look at your weekly horrors, you’ll do it because you like it.”

Lizzie Bloch

• Major Biomedical Engineering.
• Favorite Workout Trail runs!
• What does it mean to be a student-athlete? Resilience.
• Dream Job Clinical Engineering.

Tyler Rockwell

• Major Finance + Minor in Economics.
• Favorite Workout Anything but prowlers. On a serious note: Pull-ups.
• What does it mean to be a student-athlete? Dedication.
• Dream Job Venture Capitalist.

Laura De Marchi

• Major Biomedical Engineering + Minor in German.
• Favorite Workout I really enjoy any workout that involves a volleyball.
• What does it mean to be a student-athlete? Commitment.
• Dream Job Building prosthetic devices for paralympic athletes.

• Major Exercise Science + Minor in Psychology. Pursuing Master’s in Kinesiology.
• Favorite Workout Circuit with prowlers.
• What does it mean to be a student-athlete? Privilege.
• Dream Job Physician Assistant.

Gaspard Cuenot

• Major Marketing
• Favorite Workout Speed training at the Tech Trails.
• What does it mean to be a student-athlete? Opportunities.
• Dream Job Entrepreneur in sustainable solutions.

Jacob Wenzlick

• Major Mechanical Engineering.
• Favorite Workout Back squats.
• Dream Job Working at Milwaukee Tool.

Vicky Quinde

• Major Mechanical Engineering + Minor in Aerospace Engineering + Minor in Economics.
• Favorite Workout Running, preferably at the beach.
• What does it mean to be a student-athlete? Honor.
• Dream Job Writer.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.

Related Stories

Subscribe to Michigan Tech News

Essay on Life Of An Athlete

Students are often asked to write an essay on Life Of An Athlete in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Life Of An Athlete

Introduction.

An athlete’s life is full of challenges and rewards. Athletes are individuals who participate in sports professionally. They train hard, follow strict diets, and compete in events.

Athletes spend a lot of time training. They often practice for hours each day to improve their skills and stay fit. This requires a lot of dedication and hard work.

Besides training, athletes also focus on their diet. They eat healthy and balanced meals to provide their bodies with the necessary energy and nutrients. This helps them perform better.

Competitions

Athletes compete in various events. They strive to win and often travel to different places for competitions. Winning brings them joy, fame, and sometimes, financial rewards.

In conclusion, the life of an athlete is a mix of hard work, discipline, and passion. Despite the challenges, the joy of winning and the love for the sport keeps them going.

250 Words Essay on Life Of An Athlete

An athlete’s life is full of challenges and rewards. They are people who play sports, often professionally. Their life is not just about playing games, but it requires a lot of hard work, discipline, and dedication.

The life of an athlete starts with rigorous training. They have to wake up early in the morning and train for hours to keep their body fit and healthy. They do different exercises like running, lifting weights, and practicing their sport to improve their skills.

Eating healthy food is very important for an athlete. They follow a strict diet plan that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, and proteins. They avoid junk food because it can harm their health and performance.

Athletes take part in competitions where they play against other athletes. These can be local, national, or international events. Winning these events brings them fame and recognition.

The life of an athlete is full of hard work and sacrifices. But the joy of playing their sport and the thrill of winning makes it all worth it. They are role models for many people because of their dedication and never-give-up attitude.

500 Words Essay on Life Of An Athlete

Being an athlete is not just about playing a sport. It is a way of life that requires hard work, discipline, and dedication. This essay will give you an insight into the life of an athlete.

Training and Discipline

Nutrition and health.

Athletes need to take care of their bodies to perform at their best. This means eating a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, and proteins. They also need to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Avoiding junk food and unhealthy habits like smoking or drinking is crucial. Their health is their wealth, and they must take care of it.

Competitions and Pressure

Athletes often participate in various competitions. These can be stressful and challenging. They have to deal with the pressure to win and the fear of failure. But, they learn to cope with these feelings and use them to push themselves to do better. This helps them develop a strong mindset and resilience.

Success and Rewards

When an athlete wins a competition, the feeling of achievement is immense. They get rewarded for their hard work and dedication. They might win medals, trophies, or even financial rewards. The joy of winning and the recognition from others make all the hard work worth it.

The life of an athlete is challenging but rewarding. They have to work hard, make sacrifices, and cope with pressure. But, they also get to enjoy the thrill of competition and the joy of success. Their life teaches us the importance of discipline, hard work, and dedication. It shows us that with effort and commitment, we can achieve our goals.

This essay gives a glimpse into the life of an athlete. It shows that being an athlete is not just about playing a sport. It is a lifestyle that requires hard work, discipline, and dedication. It is a life full of challenges and rewards. It is a life that teaches us valuable lessons about dedication, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Important Addresses

Harvard College

University Hall Cambridge, MA 02138

Harvard College Admissions Office and Griffin Financial Aid Office

86 Brattle Street Cambridge, MA 02138

Social Links

If you are located in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway (the “European Economic Area”), please click here for additional information about ways that certain Harvard University Schools, Centers, units and controlled entities, including this one, may collect, use, and share information about you.

• Application Tips
• Navigating Campus
• Preparing for College
• How to Complete the FAFSA
• What to Expect After You Apply
• View All Guides
• Parents & Families
• School Counselors
• Información en Español
• Undergraduate Viewbook
• View All Resources

Search and Useful Links

Search the site, search suggestions, life as a student athlete.

If you’ve followed my stories before, you’ll know that I row for Harvard Men’s Heavyweight Crew team.

Due to the nature of the commitment, it is a big part of my life at Harvard, and has had a defining role in my time at the college. Having never given a specific focus to this part of my life at Harvard however, I thought I would give you 5 questions I most commonly get from both Harvard and non-Harvard students a like:

How often do you practice?

Our practice schedule tends to vary depending on the semester. Rowing doesn’t really have a season as such; we tend to train all year round apart from a quick break in the summer. In the fall the workload is typically a bit lighter, as the mean racing part of our season comes in the spring, and the fall is more dedicated to technical work. That being said, we still practice around eight times a week, six afternoons and two mornings, for around an hour and a half/session. We transition inside in the winter, due to the Charles freezing over, and we may go up to nine indoor sessions in February. Once the ice thaws with the coming of spring we get back out on the water, and the number of sessions stays the same but get longer, stretching out to two hours.

How do you find that much time?

Racing in Boston

As I said, rowing at Harvard is a big commitment, as any varsity sport is: you certainly get good at time management. When you have morning practice at 7am, you can’t afford to be up until 4am writing a paper, so such a busy practice schedule helps to keep you focused on getting work done. In this way being a student-athlete does give you some resemblance of structure to your day, one of the biggest advantages of being part of a team. The time spent practicing is also a nice way to escape from work for a couple of hours: when we get out on the water, there’s no point in worrying about the pset I have to do that night, as I can’t do it then, so you switch off and give your brain a bit of a rest. It’s a great stress relief.

We re you recruited?

Training in Florida

I myself wasn’t, and I feel this a common misconception: you don’t have to have been recruited to compete at a varsity level at Harvard. I myself had rowed for 4 years prior to coming to Harvard, and so walked on with the guys who were recruited, but equally I have rowed with a couple of guys who picked up the sport from scratch and are now a firm part of the team. Rowing might be unique in this sense, I don’t know to what extent the likes of the football team take walk-ons, but if you have the drive to make it, it’s certainly possible.

Isn’t the whole team international?

Racing the Head of the Charles (Photocredit: row2k)

This goes hand in hand with the question about recruitment, and I suppose being a British rower is probably the reason I get the question I just answered above. It is true that a large proportion of our team is international, probably around 50% in total. The most common nationalities you’ll find are Australian, British, and South African, although we also have guys from Estonia and Germany as well. We still have a strong contingent of Americans on the team, but the international flavour of the team really helps to make the atmosphere in the boathouse a special one, with so many different perspectives and previous experience.

What’s the biggest challenge about rowing at Harvard?

Team stretching in the boathouse

One of the biggest challenges I’ve already touched on, that of time management. It really is tough to try to stay on top of work with a busy practice schedule, especially when you come out of a gruelling afternoon practice sessions and all you want to do is sleep, not write a paper (it’s a standard joke that HUBC runs on Dunkin’). However, I’d say the biggest challenge is juggling the emotional as well as physical highs and lows. When you’re rowing well and in good shape, it’s fantastic and being on the team feels like the easiest thing in the world. When you feel like you’re not rowing well, when you’re pushing to make the boat and unsure about whether you will, or if you’re injured, as I currently am, being part of the team can become tough. This is where team spirit really helps to lift you, but it can be had to leave those thoughts in the boathouse and not bring them into your everyday work.

So there we are, five questions that I am most commonly asked as a member of the crew team. If you have any more questions that I haven’t listed here, post them below and I’ll answer them for you!

Rob Class of '16 Alumni

Student Voices

Denzel Class of '24

Walking Onto the Sailing Team

Emily Class of '24

My Harvard Bucket List

Jania Class of '23 Alumni

Student-Athletes and Socialization Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Admittedly, many high school student-athletes strive to enter a college or a university to pursue their athletic career (Sanders et al. 23). Many of these students dream of a professional career. Some see their athletic achievements as the way to obtain higher education. However, it is important to note that often college years fall short of student-athletes’ expectations.

One of the greatest issues concerning student-athletes’ education is that this group of students is often isolated. Another problem concerning student-athletes is that they as well as educators often pay little attention to these students’ academic performance.

Thus, student-athletes turn out to be unprepared to become successful members of society as they lack the necessary knowledge and skills while their past athletic achievements are not taken into account any more.

Fortunately, educators have acknowledged the major issues in this sphere and many steps have been made to solve the problem. Thus, many schools implement policies aimed at involvement of student-athletes into the mainstream of students.

Apart from this, specific educational programs and approaches are being designed to improve student-athletes’ academic performance (Schellhase 18). Therefore, student-athletes can be sure that even if they do not pursue athletic career, they will be prepared to find their place in the contemporary world.

Some people believe that athletes can succeed in their sport careers only. Likewise, student-athletes are still often regarded as those who should defend the school’s honor and who are not required to achieve some academic goals. There is still a kind of classification of students where successful students and successful athletes are in different camps.

Nonetheless, this classification leads to unfavorable outcomes especially when it comes to student-athletes. In the first place, student-athletes are often alienated from the rest of the students.

Many student-athletes focus on their athletic performance and often try to succeed in their athletic career at the expense of their academic performance. These students set limits and this becomes quite a difficult problem to solve in their after college life.

Some may argue that student-athletes should only blame themselves as they fail to study properly. However, the problem is much deeper than that. It is necessary to admit that student-athletes often lag behind their fellow students. Nevertheless, it is not about their being too lazy or narrow-minded. Athlete students often have to endure a lot of tension on the part of their coaches.

These young people also face such challenges as “time constraints” and “career choices”, “physical and emotional fatigue”, “institutional policies, discrimination; marginalization” (Simiyu 16). Reportedly, graduation rates “are on increase” nowadays (Simiyu 16).

However, the data also show that student-athletes’ performance largely depends on such factors as race, gender and sport (Simiyu 16). Admittedly, these factors should also be taken into account when developing teaching strategies and educational programs.

Apart from this, student-athletes are expected to achieve certain goals and they simply have no time to attend classes or focus on their academic performance. Besides, many young people are concerned with their present and they do not think of certain future perspectives.

Therefore, educators are responsible for this vulnerable group of students. Educators should make student-athletes understand that their athletic career is only a part of their life and that they need to acquire certain knowledge and skills to fit their future career goals.

Luckily, now educators pay more attention to student-athletes’ constraints. In fact, there have been much done in this sphere so far. In the first place, educators started paying attention to challenges such students have to face (Simiyu 18). This is a great step forward as now educators can shape educational programs to address needs of student-athletes.

For instance, many scholars suggest particular programs that can help student-athletes to improve their academic performance (Schellhase 19). For instance, Schellhase analyzes Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory and tries to adjust it to student-athletes’ needs (19).

By demonstrating potentialities of this approach, Schellhase contributes greatly into the development of specific programs for student-athletes. Such attempts confirm that educators have, finally, started paying more attention to student-athletes’ needs.

It goes without saying that special training programs and teaching approaches alone cannot solve the problem as a lot depends on the students’ commitment. When it comes to student-athletes, there can be no lack in commitment as these people have developed strong volition during their athletic career.

Admittedly, those, who have already achieved considerable results in sport, will have courage to address certain academic challenges. Nonetheless, some students may fail to understand the importance of academic effort. Therefore, educators should be able to explain this matter to student-athletes. Student-athletes should be encouraged to obtain as much knowledge as possible to better fit the rapidly changing world.

In fact, it can be effective to include special course into the curriculum for student-athletes. This course should focus on these students’ career goals. It is essential to show the ways student-athletes can choose. These young people should be told about successful athletes and alumni of different schools. Thus, student-athletes will be aware of successful stories.

Apart from successful stories, students should understand threats and challenges they are likely to face during their college years and their after college life. These challenges include fatigue, drug abuse, isolation, possible failures, etc. Admittedly, when one knows what exactly can happen, he/she is ready to react accordingly.

Therefore, student-athletes should learn more about various situations. Student-athletes should participate in various discussions on such topics. These discussions will help student-athletes to work out their own successful behavioral patterns.

Furthermore, student-athletes should also critically assess their athletic and academic performance (Schellhase 19). They should be able to prioritize their activities when the time comes.

Student-athletes should understand that their college life presupposes acquisition of certain skills. Therefore, student-athletes should always remember about the major academic goals. Admittedly, educators should help these students to remain focused.

On balance, it is possible to state that now educators understand that student-athletes require special attention. More so, educators do pay much attention to this group of students. For instance, scholars work out various educational programs and teaching techniques to address student-athletes’ needs. However, this is not enough as these students should also be encouraged to focus on their academic performance.

They should be ready to face certain challenges in their college years or in their after college life. This will enable young people to better fit the society. It is necessary to note that academic success depends on the student’s commitment.

Luckily, all student-athletes are committed to achieve the highest results in sport and are ready to overcome difficulties. Therefore, educators only need to encourage all of these students to be also committed while pursuing their academic goals.

Works Cited

Sanders, Victoria L., Henry A. Gardner and Jeffery Jones. “Recruitment, Admission, and Retention of First-Year Student-Athletes.” College Student-Athletes: Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Implications . Ed. Daniel B. Kissinger and Michael T. Miller. Charlotte, NC: IAP, 2009. 23-36. Print.

Schellhase, Kristen C. “Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory in Athletic Training Education: A Literature Review.” Athletic Training Educational Journal 2 (2006): 18-27. Print.

Simiyu, Njororai Wycliffe W. “Individual and Institutional Challenges Facing Student Athletes on U.S. College Campuses.” Journal of Physical Education and Sports Management 1.2 (2010): 16-24. Print.

• NCAA Bylaws Potential Violation
• College Athletics: Should College Athletes Be Paid?
• Sports Coaching Philosophy and Types
• Athletic Administration and Coaching: Statement of the Problem
• How College Athletes Deal with Stress and Manage Time
• The Coney Polar Bear Club
• Olympic-Style Lifts and Power Lifting Lifts
• Athlete's Performance: External and Internal Factors
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2019, May 28). Student-Athletes and Socialization. https://ivypanda.com/essays/student-athletes-essay/

"Student-Athletes and Socialization." IvyPanda , 28 May 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/student-athletes-essay/.

IvyPanda . (2019) 'Student-Athletes and Socialization'. 28 May.

IvyPanda . 2019. "Student-Athletes and Socialization." May 28, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/student-athletes-essay/.

1. IvyPanda . "Student-Athletes and Socialization." May 28, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/student-athletes-essay/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Student-Athletes and Socialization." May 28, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/student-athletes-essay/.

Essay Service Examples Life Athletes

Sports In The Life Of Students Athletes

Introduction

• Proper editing and formatting
• Free revision, title page, and bibliography
• Flexible prices and money-back guarantee

What is Student-Athleticism?

What is academic performance, student-athleticism’s quantitative effects on academic performance, the qualitative explanation behind the quantitative effects, 1. student-athleticism promotes good and healthy lifestyle and proper exercise, 2. student-athleticism promotes interpersonal skills, discipline, and camaraderie, 3. student-athleticism promotes more efficient time management skills, 4. student-athleticism improves the chances of getting scholarships, 5. student-athleticism makes sure that being a student comes first, 6. student-athleticism helps improve focus and grades.

Our writers will provide you with an essay sample written from scratch: any topic, any deadline, any instructions.

Cite this paper

Related essay topics.

Get your paper done in as fast as 3 hours, 24/7.

Related articles

Most popular essays

• Competitive Sports
• Perspective

Stress is inherent in competitive sport where athletes invest so much time and energy in their...

• Transgender

Just over a year ago, in June 2018, a 27-year-old South African ran a record-setting race at the...

• Carbohydrate

The nutritional considerations that athletes need to be aware of in order to improve their...

• Sports Medicine

Whilst females in sport are becoming a lot more common and accepted, female athletes must take...

Athletes have struggled over the years with the pressure of having to deliver results in...

• Jackie Robinson

The key idea for my intertextual study is about breaking the colour barrier in American sport and...

The Principles of Training help to guide athletes and coaches in creating training sessions that...

According to the World Health Organization, an estimate of 300 (three hundred) million individuals...

To run faster than anyone ever before, is the dream of every athlete… To hold a medal and to stand...

Join our 150k of happy users

• Get original paper written according to your instructions
• Save time for what matters most

Fair Use Policy

EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Should you have any questions regarding our Fair Use Policy or become aware of any violations, please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected].

We are here 24/7 to write your paper in as fast as 3 hours.

Provide your email, and we'll send you this sample!

By providing your email, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Say goodbye to copy-pasting!

Get custom-crafted papers for you.

Enter your email, and we'll promptly send you the full essay. No need to copy piece by piece. It's in your inbox!

Student Athletes and Mental Health Essay Example

Student-athletes often are looked at as people who are “living the dream” as they are able to play a sport they love while also receiving their education. In reality, being a student-athlete comes with overwhelming responsibilities, high expectations, and countless hours devoted to being an athlete. Receiving a college education is difficult enough as young adults are adjusting to being on their own while still needing to meet obligations and fulfill responsibilities. When you add in the responsibilities that come with being an athlete, it is almost too easy for mental health to plummet. Sports are looked at as a great way to relieve stress, but many overlook the tension and stress they contribute to everyday life. While at first it may appear most student-athletes should benefit mentally from athletics, most experience a more harmful impact due to the long hours, overbearing responsibilities, and high expectations. 

At first glance, athletes are fortunate to have a sport as a stress reliever with teammates and a coaching staff there for support. What many people overlook is the amount of time put into being an athlete. Being a college student is already time consuming; an expected guideline for a student is to spend between 2 and 3 hours studying for every hour of class they attend. In other words “a student taking five 3-credit classes spends 15 hours each week in class and should be spending 30 hours on work outside of class, or 45 hours/week total” (Nelson). This is a lot of time, dedication, and stress for anyone, but now add being an athlete on top of these hours. When it comes to athletics, it is more than just showing up for practice every day. Weight-lifting, film sessions, conditioning sessions, team meetings, traveling for games, and going to the training room to maintain a healthy body as well as prevent injuries, are all activities that are included in being an athlete but many people often do not think of. A survey done by the NCAA, which is the National Collegiate Athletic Association, revealed that athletes are putting at least 30 hours and the majority of the time 40 hours a week toward their sport (Wakamo). With these numbers, student-athletes total 85 hours dedicated to both their academics and athletics. This leaves them with 83 hours left in the week, a little under 12 hours per day, for them to sleep, eat meals, have a social life, spend time with friends and family, in some cases work a job, and have free time to do what they chose. When having this much on their plate, student-athletes can quickly feel overwhelmed since they have so much to do and so little time to do it. As soon as someone feels overwhelmed, feelings of stress, anxiety, and worry pour in, all of which contribute to a decline in mental health. Being a student-athlete can be very tedious and time consuming, so athletes have to quickly learn how to prioritize and manage their time. Time management is a difficult strategy to learn for anybody, but it is especially difficult to learn for a young adult who is adjusting to living on their own and learning how to be independent. 

While student-athletes are feeling overwhelmed with their time, they also bear the burden of the responsibilities and expectations that come with being an athlete. Athletes are put under a microscope; they are being watched by their coaches, the NCAA, and the general public. They have to be conscious of their actions at all times, particularly when wearing their college name. Aside from attending practice, athletes are responsible for maintaining a certain GPA in order to be eligible to play, and they must show respect to coaches, their teammates, their opponents, and referees during games, practices, and even on social media (Imm).  Social media is a very common and easy way for athletes to get into trouble. Athletes need to be careful of what they post because posts that include foul language, inappropriate posts on school property or in school clothes, trash talking other teams, complaining about their coach or team, and any posts with inappropriate content such as nudity or partial nudity and alcohol or drugs can get them in trouble (Fore). Another major responsibility and expectation of being a student-athlete is avoiding alcohol and drug use. The NCAA has no tolerance for possession of any illegal drugs, tobacco use, and minors in possession of or drinking alcohol. Athletes over the age of 21 are allowed to drink alcohol, but in moderation and only in their off-season (Alcohol, Tobacco, and drug policy). In order to enforce these rules, the NCAA conducts drug tests at least once a year per team. A failure to pass the drug test or refusal to take the drug test results in consequences which include “community service (on or off campus), reflective paper, game suspension(s), counseling, expulsion from the team and/or department” (Alcohol, Tobacco, and drug policy). The responsibilities alone are enough for a college athlete to worry about, but the fear of the consequences is even more overbearing. Athletes are penalized for these actions, while a regular college student is not subject to the same consequences or any consequences at all. If an athlete fails to fulfill any of their responsibilities and they suffer the consequences, their mental health will be affected. The consequences of an expulsion or suspension could lead to an athlete feeling depressed and disappointed in themselves, ruining their mental health. Depression is a serious mental disorder that many people struggle from, but “student-athletes suffer from depression more often than their non-student-athlete peers” (Gill, 85). Athletes struggle more than others realize, which is why it is important to bring attention to their mental health. 

Athletes are not only held to high expectations from the NCAA, but they are also held to high expectations from their coaches, their teammates, their families, their supporters, and themselves. The pressure of being a student-athlete is difficult and it is often not talked about. Recently, a 22-year-old Women’s Soccer player, Katie Meyer, from Stanford University, tragically committed suicide. Her mother told the press “There is anxiety and there is stress to be perfect, to be the best, to be number one” (Sulek and Lin). Athletes hold themselves to a higher standard because of what is expected of them. When adding up their responsibilities, what they are expected of, and the time they spend on athletics, tragedies such as suicide are more prone to occur. According to the American College of Sports Medicine “Approximately 30% of women and 25% of men who are student-athletes report having anxiety, and only 10% of all college athletes with known mental health conditions seek care from a mental health professional ” (The American College of Sports Medicine Statement on Mental Health Challenges for Athletes). Athletes are suffering from depression due to their activity, and they are unlikely to seek help for their mental health. Mental health is a critical issue that must be addressed in athletics or else the number of people suffering from depression will continue to rise, resulting in more tragedies like Katie Meyer.

Despite its initial glance, the life of a student-athlete entails many more responsibilities, expectations, and dedicated hours than most people imagine. Due to their overloading schedules and overwhelming responsibilities, it is very simple for the mental health of student-athletes to plummet. Once mental health decreases it leads to feelings of depression and in extreme cases, suicide. It is important to encourage better mental health in student-athletes to prevent tragedies from occurring. There are a number of ways to help student-athletes have better mental health, starting with coaches dedicating time that benefits mental health. This could be as simple as a 5-minute meditation session or breathing exercise after practice to allow athletes to decompress. Coaches should have check-ins biweekly with their athletes to ensure they are handling the balance of academics and athletics well. Also, many schools have resources on campus that athletes can utilize when they need to talk to someone about all of their concerns. These are small steps that can make a big difference in student-athletes’ mental health. Mental health should never be overlooked, and should always be a top priority to avoid the tragedies that might result from poor mental health.

A Student Athlete Life: Balancing Academics and Sports

Written by Raphael Uribe

 Tips & Tricks Tips & Tricks  · --> January 25 2016

• January 25 2016
• Written by  Raphael Uribe
• Published in Tips & Tricks

Every student athlete has the invariable task to study and compete, it's like having two daytime job according to life Fitness magazine. Princeton University has plenty of student athletes , nearly 20% of undergraduates are athlete. At Princeton “being a student athlete is both a challenge and an opportunity” to develop one’s leadership and organization skills.

Organize 

 Balance is crucial for any student athlete because competitive sports and academics work side by side the life of a student athlete. Balance is a real challenge because education is crucial to a young athlete's’ life. However one has to organize and prioritize objectives correctly. The most important for a student is to figure out when his exams and midterms will be. For an athlete the most important is to find out when competitions are. The most efficient method is to firstly go at tackling the calendar.

 When you tackle your academic calendar the timetable of exams has to be known in advance. A student has to simply ask a teacher,professor or teaching assistant for more information on that end. You can plan ahead and revise ahead of time for the best score possible. It is crucial that a student gives their best effort in exams just like an athlete would give their best during a competition. But for the best to come out preparation is key.

 Once you have your schedule sorted out it is important to prioritize your time. If you have an exam coming up and a competition further away then obviously you would have to study first. You have to plan a study schedule which will help you optimize your exam score. The mindset of an exam like a competition has to be about perform to the very best of your ability, anything below is not acceptable. Once your exam is over then you can start to focus on competition but not before. When a competition is coming up build your training schedule and your routine to best prepare for it. It is important you don’t forget your academic work as well. Just because your sport schedule is intensifying it does not mean academic work should be left behind. It is important to plan your homework around the training schedule.

Remember to have balance

 A student’s social life is also very important to their well being and it helps them relax. If a student athlete only had sports and academics in their life then a mental and physical burnout would become very probably. From time to time a student athlete should meet up with friends, go to the movies , go for a nice meal or whatever relaxes the mind. This reduces stress and relaxes the athlete both physically and mentally.  Also, be mindful and don’t go overboard with food and alcohol.

 Time Management is another focal point of a student athlete. This provides organization and discipline to a student athlete’s life. How long one does a certain task or assignment allows the days to be organized in a certain way. Sports plays its time during the day and academics plays its role as well. Its part of the balance of a daily schedule.

 To conclude, the success of a student athlete comes down to one’s ability to manage one’s time efficiently with social life, academics and sports. A student athlete has to be always attentive to not overwork himself beyond certain limits so as to reduce the potential for mental and physical damage. Balance, discipline and organization are the pillars for a student athlete and optimises one’s success.

https://www.lifefitness.com/blog/posts/balancing-act-being-a-student-and-an-athlete.html

http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S31/42/85O51/index.xml?section=featured

Raphael Uribe

Golden 2016 Rio Olympics for MAKEACHAMP

Going Viral Just Got Easier

How to plan your expenses for the upcoming sporting year 2016 in 3 quick steps

You might also like:

 Success Stories

David Ancor

 Tips & Tricks

Latest from Raphael Uribe

• NCAA: None Can Argue Anymore, Crowdfunding is Permissible & Approved
• Hilary Herman: I have overcome
• Lynda Kiejko- Shooting for Rio
• Muhammad Ali: The Transcendence of Sports
• The Golden State Warriors: How to bring success as a team

Get the best tips, tricks follow the stories of our athletes, teams and clubs. Understand the power of crowdfunding with the MAKEACHAMP blog. Our best articles, delivered straight to your inbox.

Click below to sign in using your social networks:

Don't have a MAKEACHAMP account? Sign Up here

By clicking Register, you agree to our terms of use and that you have read our privacy policy including our cookie use .

MAKEACHAMP.COM/

This URL is in use already, please modify it.

Already have a MAKEACHAMP account? Log in here

Student Athlete - Essay Samples And Topic Ideas For Free

The term ‘student-athlete’ reflects individuals pursuing both academic and athletic excellence within a collegiate environment. Essays could delve into the challenges and opportunities associated with being a student-athlete, such as time management, the pressures of performance, and the potential for personal and professional development. Discussions might also explore the institutional support systems available for student-athletes, the impact of sports scholarships, and the societal perceptions surrounding the dual role. They may further touch on the broader implications for educational and athletic institutions, policy considerations, and the interplay between academic and athletic identities. A substantial compilation of free essay instances related to Student Athlete you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Student Athletes’ Money in Addition to their Scholarships

Did you know that the NCAA made more than 1 Billion dollars profit in 2017 from basketball coverage, while many of the players struggled to pay for food when playing away from home? According to NCAA rules, college athletes cannot be paid to play their sport beyond the educational scholarship. Most scholarships cover their education and books, campus housing and cafeteria meals when on campus. The student athlete is responsible for all other expenses including personal items, clothing, food while […]

I am a Student-athlete

 As far back as I can remember, sports have been a part of my life. Anytime I kicked a soccer ball, bounced a basketball, or swung a bat I found happiness and joy. My introduction to sports and athletics changed me for the better. Some people have little regard for sports and athletics. They ignore how difficult it is to participate in sports activities, or what that sport may offer a person. Regardless of what anyone else thinks, being a […]

Tell Us about yourself

Ever since I can remember, sports have always been a part of my life. Anytime I kicked a soccer ball, bounced a basketball, or swung a bat I found happiness and joy. My introduction to sports and athletics changed me for the better. Some people have little regard for sports and athletics. They ignore how difficult it is to participate in sports activities, or what that sport may offer a person. Regardless of what anyone else thinks, being a student-athlete […]

We will write an essay sample crafted to your needs.

Fear of Failure as a Reason of Anxiety

The exponential rise in anxiety throughout the youth in behalf of the morally accepted fear of failure has overwhelmed various concerned individuals. The pressure of maintaining a presence among social media, being an exceptional athlete, as well as a scholar puts constraints on the adolescent. The concern of deficiency submerges the youth until anxiety is prevalent in every daily task. The apprehension, dread, and panic may be perceived as a normal human reaction to an undesirable situation; however, with the […]

Colleges Athletes should be Paid?

In most Universities, athletes are a big source of income to the institution and making the millions of dollars they do from these athletes; You would think they would be paid. College athletes dedicate their lives to their school and sport, they put lots of stress on their bodies both physically and mentally, through the hard work they put in to compete in games and tournaments; these colleges receive high amounts of revenue and recognition. It is not fair to […]

Time to Pay College Athletes

There has been a running debate over the past couple of years on whether college athletes should be paid or not. There are a lot of points to think about when considering if they should be paid. These college athletes play for a league called the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or the NCAA for short. The NCAA makes a large sum of money off these athletes. The student athletes are generating revenue for their colleges and the NCAA, but they […]

About Paying College Athletes

Paying college athletes for years has been a hot topic among the sports' arena. Young men and women for years have worked hard to achieve their goal of becoming a full or even partial scholarship athlete on the college level. Training for some starts as early as three years old and they continue through recreation center ball, middle, and high school. The dedication to their craft is endless and to them, the next level prize and that is a full […]

National College Athletic Association Athletes and Compensation

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (The NCAA) is a multi billion dollar organization that was founded in 1910. The NCAA makes billions of dollars annually off of student athletes that receive no compensation for their hard work. One of the biggest sources of revenue for the NCAA is March Madness; the college basketball championship tournament. The NCAA signed a new contract for the broadcasting rights for the tournament that will make them an enormous amount of money over the course […]

College Athletes Continuing Education while Relinquishing Pay

Imagine having an occupation that involves entertaining a crowd for about forty minutes with slight breaks in between. Sounds easy right? Let's add a constant switch between sprinting and light jogging back and forth on a 94 foot long by 50 foot wide rectangle. Place a ball in your hand, and now you must figure out how to get this ball inside a circle measuring 18 inches in diameter; did I mention that this goal sits 10 feet off the […]

Compensation of College Athletes

The grand debate of whether to pay college athletes or not is ongoing; however, there are so many amenities that are provided to college athletes that they are paid through those. The whole debate can hinge on one thing and that is amateurism; people should not receive any material award when participating in a sport. Many don't understand the commitment and passion required when becoming a college athlete. They can succumb to the narcissistic personality disorder, which could lead to […]

Leadership, Conflict Resolution and Communication in Sports

Whether through high school or a club team, sports consume the majority of teenagers’ lives. Teens actively involve themselves in fall, winter, spring and even summer sports on top of school. Due to the time requirements of both, many argue whether or not society should promote playing a sport (or multiple sports) in high school. Many also argue that sports are dangerous but there are many benefits to teen participation in sports that outweigh the potential danger. As a result […]

Problem with Paying College Athletes

There are over 460,000 student-athletes that compete within the NCAA across the United States. Of those 460,000 participants, not one of them received compensation for the money they grossed through various events and games the student-athletes participated in. As of right now, it is actually illegal to pay college athletes through the NCAA. This generates not only a lot of hardship for the athletes but creates a constant reminder that college athletes will not see any of the money they […]

A Worth of the Athletes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association

The athletes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) are worth a lot more than many people think. They are without a doubt probably the most diligent individuals on the planet. In addition to the fact that they are carrying on with the life of a normal student, they have an enormous workload with their sport. For example, in 2017, an article by Powell on the NCAA website reported that collegiate athletes grossed in a revenue of over 1.1 billion […]

Money Making College Athletes

10,800,000,000. Ten point eight billion dollars. I had to write it both ways because I had trouble reading that number out loud, and you probably will too. Think about the amount of zeros in that number. With that amount of money you can buy buy 74 Bugatti hyper-cars, stay 5,731 nights in the United States America's most expensive hotel room, or if you like to party lavishly you can buy 390 bottles of million-dollar whisky. That number is what The […]

College and African American Male: Basketball Athletes

As a freshman in college, I acknowledge and recognize the fact that college can be a challenging experience. The college experience can become even more challenging when you factor in sororities, clubs, fraternities, sports and other school activities. The article that I have decided to use for my analysis is, “College and the African American Male Athlete by Stephen Brown.” Stephen Brown’s main source comes from the book Closing the Education Achievement Gaps for African American Males by Theodore S. […]

Is Athletic Training Too Intense for High Schoolers 

No, I don't believe that athletic training is too intense for high school. The reason is that the athlete signed up for this sport and committed himself/herself to train hard. The coach should arrange a workout that is at your speed or at the intensity level you are comfortable with. I also think that the athlete should work out to stay in shape to make it easier for the coach during the off-season. Take care of yourself, stretch, and tell […]

Here’s the Real Crime by Rick Reilly Related to Athletes in High School

In the op-ed, "Here’s the Real Crime," Rick Reilly suggests that athletes who break the law should be denied the ability to play their sport. He develops this argument by giving the example of Brandon Jackson from Lancaster High School, who, despite being accused of "six counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon" (Reilly, par. 2), was allowed to play on his high school football team. Reilly believes these accusations should be enough to "end his high school football […]

Person who Inspires Me: Embodying Caring, Athleticism, and Responsibility

Introduction “There are no limits to what you can accomplish, except the limits you place on your own thinking”(Brian Tracy). My name is Natalia Stachura, and I’m in 8th grade. I am athletic; I enjoy playing sports and working out. I am also very kind and caring; I like to make people feel happy, especially when they're upset. Most importantly, I am responsible; I turn everything in on time, clean my room, take care of my siblings, and do anything […]

Additional Example Essays

• Reasons Why I Want to Study Abroad
• Homeschooling vs Traditional Schooling
• About My Goals In A Study A Nurse Practitioner
• A Cultural Value
• Moving to a New School
• My favorite toys as a child
• Why Phones Should Not Be Allowed in School
• Advantages and disadvantages of active listening

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

True Life of a Student-Athlete

According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), there are more than 460,000 student-athletes who compete in college sports every year. These student-athletes all come from different cultural backgrounds and work hard to bring pride to their schools, their families, and themselves through both athletic and academic achievement.

However, over the years they have been a stigma that has been placed on student-athletes, an assumption that they receive special treatment as a result of their student-athlete status. In the eyes of regular students and some professors, our lives may seem like we have it all and we are spoiled because we have access to resources that traditional students do not get.

As a women’s basketball player at the University of Central Florida, I know being a student-athlete comes with the good and the bad. While the lives of a student-athletes may seem glitz and glamorous, in reality it comes with different struggles. Despite of all the misconceptions, student-athletes face many obstacles when it comes to juggling their academics, their sports, and their social lives.

As a student-athlete, I have priorities that motivate me every day to do what I am here to do, which is to play basketball. My top three priorities as of now is academics, sport and my social life. The first priorities in most student-athlete’s lives is academics. I choose to talk about academics because, there are some professors who automatically have that mentality that student-athletes aren’t in school for their academics but more of their sports.

Proficient in: College Education

“ Thank you so much for accepting my assignment the night before it was due. I look forward to working with you moving forward ”

Stereotypes can be defined as ‘qualities perceived to be associated with particular groups or categories of people’ (Schneider, 2004, p. 24).

In an article called Student Athlete Perceptions of Academic Success and Athlete Stereotype On campus by Jennifer Parsons, she talks about student-athletes and the stereotype they receive on campus. Some stereotypes are not always negative, but in the case of student-athletes it is usually negative and inaccurate by many people. When it comes to academics there is a type of “dumb jock” stereotype that professors perceive some student-athletes as. The dumb jock stereotype assumes a lack of academic ability and motivation (Simons et al., 2007) even though studies have demonstrated conflicting results regarding athletes and academic performance when compared to their student peers.

Students and faculty do not realize the pressure of doing well academically while trying to balance your position on their team. First to be qualified to have a full athletic scholarship your GPA must be maintained. Not only does the stereotype goes towards NCAA Division I collegiate athletes but also to NCAA Division II students and “the faculty members at the private college held prejudicial attitudes toward male athletes concerning special admissions policies, scholarships, academic support services and media exposure.” (Pearson, 2016) In the study, there were 252 student-athletes that were asked to participate. It was mixed with male and females; all participants were undergraduates on different levels from freshman through seniors.

The results of their GPA by the athletes was a 3.01 which was slightly lower than the GPA (3.17) of all undergraduate students attending the institution. This proves that there are certain stigmas that limit the success of student-athletes. This stereotype has even invaded the mind set of coaches and practitioners who often encourage athletes to choose what they believe to be non-challenging courses.

As a result, student-athletes are largely underrepresented in the Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) program. According to the article, Undergraduate Experiences of Division I Athlete Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Graduates, “academic support centers steer Division I athletes into athlete-friendly majors or academic paths of least resistance in order to maintain their National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletic eligibility” (Comeaux, 1). This is another obstacle that athletes have to face. It is relevant because it shows how the institution and society can limit the full potential of a student’s education and their opportunity to succeed academically. Furthermore, the obstacles that student-athletes face are more than just stereotypes. There are many barriers student-athletes face academically, including previous educational backgrounds and cultural tendencies.

Many of the students attending Division I schools came from different environments, as a result the transition into the new type of academic environment can be difficult. To help ease the transition, Academic Services for Student Athletes (ASSA) has provided athletes with the opportunity to receive assistant in the form of tutoring. To get a closer look at this, I decided to interview one of the student-athlete tutor who works at the University of Central Florida. Libby Kofman, a tutor who helps with writing has noticed many of these obstacles during tutoring session. According to Kofman, “many student-athletes come to UCF without the pervious academic experience needed in order to succeed. It is not that there are incapable, rather they are just unfamiliar with this type of academic structure.” Kofman notes that these issues are more than just pervious high school experience.

For many of the athletes she tutors, English is not the first language, making it even more difficult for some athletes to comprehend material. According to Kofman, “it is a really difficult adjustment for student-athletes and a huge time commitment especially considering all the time they must dedicate to their sports.” What many people do not realize is that playing a collegiate sport is like having a part-time job.

For many student-athletes a day can start off with early lifts, then probably a team breakfast, then those who have class and tutors are rushing to make those appointments. After their classes comes a 2-3-hour long practice. Then comes the mandatory treatment and cold tub, a form of mandatory treatment required after every practice. Again after treatment, some athletes rush to make it to their evening classes and still have to make time to get a nutritious meal to fuel the bodies after long intensive practices.

For many student-athletes finding a time to cook a well-balanced meal is nearly impossible. As a result, student-athletes spend more time and money on eating out due to their busy schedule. This can be a bad thing because quick convenient food is not always the healthiest option and can be detrimental to the health of student-athletes. For some student-athletes there is only one free day a week. It is essential that student-athletes spend this time sleeping and resting. However, this is not often the case for these busy students. Many student-athletes spend this time catching up on their missed school assignments and attending tutor sessions. With so much on the athletes’ plates with school, practices, travel and competitions, many student athletes do not find sufficient time for rest.

Sleep is important not just for student-athletes but for everyone. There is a reason why sleep is needed. Without sleep, the mind and body may not function while awake. According to an article by NCAA, “Sleep is not a passive state of rest, but an active state of rebuilding, repair, reorganization and regeneration.” (NCAA,1). Many student-athletes do not get the adequate amount of sleep that is required.

This is important for many student-athletes because sleep can lead to a better performance both academically and athletically. If there is lack of sleep, it puts a toll on the body and mind. An American College Health Association survey found that on average, most student-athletes report four nights of insufficient sleep per week. This is largely due to the timing of practices, travel and competition.

Joslyn Massey, a 5th year senior and an engineering major on the UCF women’s basketball team was able to provide insight into the huge time commitment that accompanies being a student-athlete. When asked how many hours of athletic related activities she put in a week, she answered, “In season we put in around 30 hours a week. This includes practices, weights, film seasons, extra workouts/shooting, meetings, and games.” Many of these games and practices take place on the weekdays and weekends which can make it difficult for student-athletes to balance their sports and academics. With missing so many class days due to travelling, student-athletes have to plan ahead just to get their work done. With travelling so much during the season, it can be very hard to stay Intune with the class and what is being taught. It is the student-athlete responsibility to make up any work they missed while on the road, which can build up for many student-athletes, especially for Joslyn.

As an engineering major, she has to struggle to keep with her extremely difficult courses such as, Calculus 1-3, Solid Mechanics, and Structures and Properties of Materials. It is difficult for her to balance her intensive classes with her sport. According to Massey, a typical school day can be extremely tiring. She has to wake up early for 6am weights three times a week. Then after weights she has to attend her morning lectures while rushing to get bite to eat. At 12:30pm she is expected to be at practice till 3:30pm. Here she will have to remember the different plays and work on some skill work.

After long hours of practice, she has to attend tutor session then head over to her evening class. Since she is also an active member on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) she has to attend meetings after her long class days. With all of her busy schedule, she will still have to find time to eat her meals, so she can prepare her body for the next hectic day. Massey has some professors who are strict on making up assignments, quizzes, and exams. In the case she receives a 0 on an assignment, she will have to play catch up when she comes back from competition.

As a result, Massey tries to plan ahead for her test days. She knows when she comes back she has to schedule a day to retake the test. This act of creating a schedule in advance is also a time commitment that can be difficult to maintain. As season goes on, the schedule may become even more rigorous.

For example, college athletes may have a game on Tuesday night, then practice on Wednesday afternoon, then a test in class on Thursday and then another game later in that evening. Some athletes may have to miss that class and that test on game day due to shoot around during their class times. This can build plenty of stress within an athlete because of so much extra late nights studying that they may have to do.

They are behind on the lessons and have to catch up on their own, which can be challenging at times because they are not in class to hear the lectures. It is difficult to be an engineering major without having to worry about playing a sport, so with her playing a sport that last most of the school year and an engineering major she struggles to get past the school year. College athletes are prone to high risk injuries.

There is no telling with any sports when there will be an injury. A chance of injuries does come with any sports you play whether it is football, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, rowing, tennis, etc.… athletes and trainers try their best to prevent injuries from happening, but there is a saying that anything can happen at any time. The longer and harder an athlete play, the more they put themselves at risk for long-term injuries. With an injury, it causes an athlete to have to spend more time with their trainer doing physical therapy which can take up most of your day on top with everything else. Athletes try not to get injured because it is a setback for them physically. I read an article titled, ‘College Athletes Putting Themselves at Risk for Long-term …’ According to Dr. Tonino, “former athletes reported worse physical function, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances and pain interference than non-athletes.” Those athletes who push themselves to the extreme are the ones who are prone to long-term effects.

Concussions are one of the top injuries also with broken bones, torn ligaments, etc.… This may cause problems for young athletes later on in their lives. As a young athlete, I’ve encountered some injuries that as affected the way I walk. Also as a young athlete, I am diagnosed with arthritis in my left knee, already as a young adult! For many student-athletes a bad injury can severely alter their lives. This can be seen in the example of Francesca Fischer, a young lady on the UCF women’s soccer team who had one more year left of eligibility to play soccer. Unfortunately, she was medically released due to a sufficient amount of concussions she received over the years. Fortunately for her, she was able to become an undergraduate assistant for the Women’s soccer team instead of completely losing her scholarship.

Nevertheless, this was a blow to her athletic career and Fischer expresses disappointment as she watches her teammates play the sport that she loves. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “among women’s sports, soccer accounted for the highest estimated number of injuries per year (15,113), and the highest competition injury rate” (CDC, 1). Fischer is just one of the many student-athletes to experience a long-term injury. As a Women’s basketball player, I am experiencing arthritis in my knees as a result from an ACL injury playing basketball. This is a common injury for athletes who play contact sports. These injuries can sideline players for months, threating their positions on the team and future opportunity for professional play.

Even players who do not feel pain or injury while playing are prone to experience it later on in their lives. With all the academic and athletic areas that student-athletes struggle to balance, there is almost no time for a healthy social life. Student-athlete should also have a time for a social life, with all the stress that they receive, sometimes just hanging out with friends and unwind can be a difference in their lives. With that being said there are some school held activities that athletes have to miss due to their travelling, practice and competitions.

For example, my commitment to the women’s basketball team has forced me to miss out on the biggest tradition at UCF: Sprit Splash. Spirit splash is a tradition and is an essential part of being a UCF student, it is also an event that many athletes simply do not get to experience. This lack of inclusion further isolate student-athletes making them feel excluded. Furthermore, being a collegiate athlete in a division I team leaves little time for partying or doing the things that traditional college students are able to do on a daily basis.

This includes going to clubs, and just having the time to relax and talk with friends. Having a social life is important for all students, including student-athletes. Moreover, student-athletes come under scrutiny for partying more than an average student would. This is because student-athletes are expected to make sure their bodies are healthy and in shape in order to play and to stay eligible for their sports. Family time is also reduced while being a student athlete.

Becoming a student-athlete requires sacrifice. UCF football player, Tristan Reaves, expresses his unhappiness over not being able to spend as much time with his mama as he likes due to his football schedule. When asked what were three things he felt like he missed out on because of his student-athlete status, he responded by saying, “It’s a big time commitment, we had a bowl game after Christmas, so I was not able to see my mama. In fact, I have to miss out of many of the fall and winter holidays. I’ve also missed out on a couple of school held activities that I wanted to attend but couldn’t because of practices or games.”

Reaves is not the only athlete who have missed out on school held activities due to practices and competitions. Missing family events like birthdays, weddings, baby showers, birth of a baby, etc.… are all things that student-athletes may have to miss because of their commitment. Depending on the coaches, there are a few who allow them to go home for a certain holiday break if it do not interfere with the playing schedule. This lack of family time can be especially difficult for student-athletes who are from foreign countries. According to the NCAA, “more than 17,000 international student-athletes studying and competing at NCAA member institutions” (NCAA,1).

These students struggle to adapt to life alone in a new country on top of all the other obstacles that student-athletes face. Many of them also, struggle to learn English as for many of them it is not their first language. According to Kaufman, language barriers can add extra hurdles to international athletes. “I tutor a student from Ghana and from South China, they’re both very smart and capable but must dedicate more time to school in order to stay eligible.” Not only is there stereotype and pressures coming from professors, but also non-athletes are trying to peer pressure the athletes into doing things that is not right.

There is also some stereotyping with students on campus. Some students just assume that student-athletes are lazy and will not do any work if there was a group work assigned. In an article called, Studying Is Lame When He Got Game by Czopp, Alexander, it discussed about the “positive stereotypes” and how it can have some negative impact on student-athletes. For example, “Male participants who personally endorsed positive racial stereotypes discouraged the Black student (but not the White student) from academic-related goals and behaviors.” (Czopp,2) there will always be that one friend who is negative in life, and do not care about the important in life. Student-athletes have to handle the pressure coming from their coaches, professors, and now their peers that surrounds them. In life you have to choose the right friends who will send you positive vibes and be there for you no matter what. Those are the types of friends who realize what you have to do as a Division I athlete and will not tempt you to do anything you do not want to do because they know that any dumb decisions made can cause that athlete to lose their opportunity. Those are the ones that will look out for you and not put them down.

There are some friends like that who are not selfish but supportive in the things their friends do, surrounding those athletes with those types of friends can make their lives a little much easier, because they do not need to worry about any judgment or pressure coming their way. Just like non-athletes, student-athletes have their own personnel issues as well. There are many factors that plays a role in a student-athlete well-being.

In an article called A Systems Approach to Understanding and Counseling College Student-Athletes it presents types of systems that can be effective to student-athletes that are going through so much. College athletes also have additional stresses that can affect their “cognitive, social, moral, educational, and psychosocial development”. For example, “student-athlete’s success in college and their emotional well-being are linked intimately with success in their sport” (Fletcher, 4). With a load of different stress, it can affect the way an athlete performs academically and athletically.

Cite this page

True Life of a Student-Athlete. (2022, Feb 20). Retrieved from https://paperap.com/true-life-of-a-student-athlete/

"True Life of a Student-Athlete." PaperAp.com , 20 Feb 2022, https://paperap.com/true-life-of-a-student-athlete/

PaperAp.com. (2022). True Life of a Student-Athlete . [Online]. Available at: https://paperap.com/true-life-of-a-student-athlete/ [Accessed: 27 Jun. 2024]

"True Life of a Student-Athlete." PaperAp.com, Feb 20, 2022. Accessed June 27, 2024. https://paperap.com/true-life-of-a-student-athlete/

"True Life of a Student-Athlete," PaperAp.com , 20-Feb-2022. [Online]. Available: https://paperap.com/true-life-of-a-student-athlete/. [Accessed: 27-Jun-2024]

PaperAp.com. (2022). True Life of a Student-Athlete . [Online]. Available at: https://paperap.com/true-life-of-a-student-athlete/ [Accessed: 27-Jun-2024]

• The Struggles of a Student Athlete Why College Athletes Should Be Paid Pages: 3 (671 words)
• Athlete Warehouse Management Case Study Pages: 8 (2195 words)
• Short Biography of the Athlete Azizul Hasni Pages: 2 (362 words)
• To an Athlete Dying Young Poem Analysis Pages: 4 (1130 words)
• LeBron James: More Than An Athlete Pages: 9 (2528 words)
• "To an Athlete Dying Young": A Profound Lyrical Elegy Pages: 2 (548 words)
• Medical Testing: Examining True Positives, True Negatives, and Discrepancies Pages: 5 (1304 words)
• A Day In The Life Of A College Student Essay Pages: 2 (503 words)
• There are countless ways a student can avoid being successful in life Pages: 2 (531 words)
• Student Life Pressures at Bentley Pages: 4 (936 words)

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Sports — Student Athletes

Essays on Student Athletes

Importance of student athletes, life as a student-athlete, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

Pay to Play Issue for Student Athletes

The main problem students athletes are dealing with, leveling the playing field: an argument for paying college athletes, discussion of whether college athletes should be paid, let us write you an essay from scratch.

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Paying College Athlets: Pros and Cons

Discussion on whether college athletes should be paid or not, why every school should give student one period for gym everyday, why college athletes should not be paid, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

The Reasons Why College Athletes Should Get Compensated

Dunking for dollars: college athletes should be paid, reasons why college athletes should be paid, reasons why the ncaa should pay student-athletes, payment issue for college football and basketball athletes, whether college athletes should be paid: an argumentative perspective, the advantages and disadvantages of why college athletes should be paid, why students athletes in universities should be paid, paying college athletes: controversy over the ncaa, the main cause of paying college athletes, from the game field, to the game of life: examining student-athlete’s value in corporate america, the reason why college athletes deserve fair payment, analysis of the serving approaches of high school athletes, two sides of college athletes get paid, the problem of dehydration in mount carmel academy, the debate over the issue of paying college athletes, the subculture of student-athletes, a controversy over the issue of paying college athletes, why ncaa should compensate college athletes: examining the issues, pay to play: payment for collegiate athletes in the united states, relevant topics.

• Jackie Robinson
• Paying College Athletes
• Favorite Sport
• Kobe Bryant
• American Football
• Athletic Shoe
• Dietary Supplements
• Pay to Play

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

• Essay Database >
• Essay Examples >
• Essays Topics >
• Essay on Students

Good Example Of Essay On Balancing College Life As A Student And An Athlete

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Students , Athletes , Sports , College , Leadership , Life , University , Blessing

Words: 1600

Published: 02/20/2023

ORDER PAPER LIKE THIS

The former student athlete interviewed in this case is Hayden Blessing, who currently is in a sports career at Mercer University. He used to be a varsity basketball player at the Oklahoma Baptist University. He asserts that his being an athlete helped him get through college in four years, and he actually ended up graduating with a university diploma. Thus he credits his being an athlete for being able to finish college and obtain a diploma, which in turn aided him in getting his job in sports at Mercer University. He cites a number of advantages of being a student – athlete. One is that he was popular because he was an athlete, and the knowledge that he was known by many students and teachers often kept him out of trouble. He only had to think of his status as a player-student, and he would avoid all the signs of trouble early on. He also makes mention of a material advantage – that he did not have to pay tuition for college as he had a scholarship, and this scholarship would also cover his board, lodging and other university expenses. He also cites many teachers that were very understanding and considerate of his situation as an athlete; but that there were teachers who did not care if the team played out of town and he would be absent because he had to travel with the team, or that they had just played an official game for the university and that he would not be able to finish a certain requirement. It is his opinion that in trying very hard to balance his collegiate life as a student and as an athlete, that he was unable to have social life while in college. His entire college life was devoted to the athlete side of things and the student side of things. He managed going through games, practices, training sessions, conditioning and weights sessions, while at the same time attending classes, study hall, research sessions and simply staying in school doing schoolwork and completing his academic requirements. He lamented that the non-athletes simply did their academics and had extensive and colorful social lives, while he did not get to have any social life then. Blessing also states that today is quite a bit different for student athletes because universities and colleges today endeavor to provide their student athletes with more resources that would help them cope with the rigors of being a student and an athlete all at the same time. He also points out that there are schools who do not bother to help a student athlete complete his course, but simply let the athletes play without checking on their responsibilities as students. These schools, he said, sadly do not come to the aid of the struggling student athletes. However, aside from the additional resources, he says that more and more schools closely supervise their student-athletes and help them such that they are able to obtain their diplomas and degrees. He credits his coaches with imbuing him with a sense of accountability, and he says that this also helped him complete all his academic requirements such that he was able to graduate with a degree.

The Student Athlete as a Leader

Based on the interview, Blessing made mention of the fact that his coaches instilled in him a strong sense of accountability, and this is actually what helped him get through his quite difficult student-athlete life. Accountability is a new paradigm in sports management. Athletics directors are accountable to their own sports associations and to their own academic community as well. These directors must therefore be able to communicate this accountability and the accompanying responsibilities to the student-athletes (Kissinger and Miller, 2009). Being accountable to a community or to a larger group of people means that one can be depended upon to reach certain goals and objectives. This is one characteristic of a leader – that he can be relied upon to steer a group of individuals to reach certain objectives and goals. The student-athlete can be developed and can serve as a leader because he always has the desire to compete and to win in any competition that his team participates in. Athletes also tend to inspire one another so that all of them are competitive and can follow their coach’s game plan at all times. Being able to motivate and inspire others, and to be competitive at all times are also said to be the characteristics of leaders.

Personal Perspective

Also, as Blessing mentioned in his communication, that he admittedly had a tough time while being a student-athlete, such that managing and being able to overcome these challenges and difficult times helped him deal with them, resulting in positive outcomes. Not having any social life for a young male basketball player is terrible. One knows of the student-fans that adore their basketball teams, and follow them everywhere they play, even if the venue of the game happens to be out-of-town. It took a lot of willpower for Blessing not to participate in partying and socializing with adoring fans, and instead to concentrate on his studies may have been truly difficult for him – he knew how to deal with these “tough times”, and this is actually training for leadership already. Leaders are also quite a disciplined lot – they are disciplined so that they can set out what they have to do without any delay. Thus the rigors of being a student-athlete truly require one to be disciplined enough and to resist “temptation”. This means that he should be able to concentrate both on being the best student and the best athlete that he can be. He should resist skipping classes for reasons other than fulfilling his duties as an athlete, and strive to be a good student always. Thus it is difficult to think about why athletes are sometimes poor students. They cannot be poor students when they can inspire others, when they have the discipline, and when they can overcome the roughest and toughest of times. Blessing is indeed an excellent example of how being a student-athlete can groom someone into becoming a leader. The student-athlete is dependable and responsible, and these are also qualities of leaders. The drive to win can also later be translated into the desire to compete in the real world either as an athlete or a professional when one graduates from college. As an athlete who is competitive, this drive will never go away. This is why many collegiate athletes who turn into professional athletes go into professional coaching – their drive to win just never wanes, and they also want to remain competitive. This is why one’s training as a student-athlete will probably lead one to become a leader in a few years, or when one graduates from college. It is the discipline that one develops, as well as the rigors of being a student-athlete which drive him to first be inspired, together with his teammates, and then later on, to inspire others in his chosen career after graduating from college or university. Working as part of a team will also help the student athlete be able to lead others in the future.

Any which way one may look at the situation, it will never be easy to balance one’s collegiate life as both an athlete and a student. It is tiring enough to train for a game or a season, but to manage getting good grades and playing very well for one’s school is an arduous task to say the least. Blessing is right in saying that there are teachers who are understanding and considerate, but that there are also teachers who will test the athletes to the limits of his industry and patience. However, a student-athlete must always bear in mind, that he is a student foremost – that is perhaps why the term is “student-athlete” and not “athlete-student”. Studies are still a priority. While being an athlete will provide one with the added skills and fortitude to finish projects and games with excellence, nothing beats an athlete who was able to obtain his college or university diploma. The diploma will always provide him with something that he can hold on to if he is unable to enter the realm of professional athleticism, or if he himself decides to either put up his own business, or enter the professional world later in life. If he is able to do this, he will not go the way of many professional athletes who were not able to earn for their “rainy days”. We have all heard the sad stories of former professional athletes who have ended up in poverty, or who were unable to continue with their standards of living when they were famous and earning millions of dollars while in action. A student-athlete’s priority is his studies, and he must, in the end be able to balance his athletic life with his studies so that he is able to obtain a degree and be prepared for the future.

Blagg, D. and Young, S. 2001. What Makes a Good Leader? Retrieved from: http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/2141.html Kissinger, D. and Miller, M. 2009. College Student-Athletes: Challenges, Opportunities and Policy Implications. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, Inc.

Cite this page

Share with friends using:

Removal Request

Finished papers: 492

This paper is created by writer with

ID 278639001

If you want your paper to be:

Well-researched, fact-checked, and accurate

Original, fresh, based on current data

Eloquently written and immaculately formatted

275 words = 1 page double-spaced

Get your papers done by pros!

Other Pages

Hg ceramic tiles company case study examples, business plan on the general motors corporation gm, term paper on the role of cultural diversity in small business, marketing opportunities for airflo report examples, example of book review on capital moves, essay on biology, essay on poetry, adjustable gastric band code range 43770 43774 report sample, example of conflict analysis divorce prince charles and princess diana essay, case study on environmental effects of herbicide x, significant accomplishments of theodore roosevelt essay examples, example of essay on the wonderful wizard of oz comparing the movie and book formats of the story, constitutional monarchies in japan and england research paper example, essay on answering the discussion and the question aaw5, family background biography example, free critical thinking about afro american studies, mental model mindsets essay examples, good example of sci 362 environment issues and ethics essay, prominent composers research papers example, geographical history of christmas research paper, sales article reviews, promotion article reviews, disease article reviews, emotions article reviews, air pollution article reviews, soccer article reviews, bible article reviews, combating article reviews, advancing article reviews, conceptualizations article reviews, citing article reviews, moneyer essays, security staff essays, garbage collector essays, glide essays, nasal cavity essays, current opinion essays, howard hodgkin essays, metallic hydrogen essays, carl morris essays, indian plate essays, scientific american mind essays.

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

Day in the Life of a Student Athlete

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Student Athlete of the Week: Lucia Sanchez

University of Washington Links

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Directories
• Concentrations
• Photo/Media
• Painting + Drawing
• 3D4M: ceramics + glass + sculpture
• Field Studies
• Student Work
• Study Abroad
• Art History BA
• Art History Minor
• Art History MA Thesis
• Art History MA Practicum
• Art History PhD
• Student Research
• Interaction Design
• Visual Communication Design
• Industrial Design
• Laptop Requirement
• Master of Design
• BDes/MDes Shows
• COVID-19 Updates
• Voicing a Concern
• News + Events
• Exhibitions

Mobile Menu

• Graduate Students
• Visiting Artists + Lecturers
• Seattle Arts + Culture
• Jobs, Internships, and Opportunities
• First Day Attendance
• Final Exam Attendance
• Career Fair
• Design Travel Award Application
• Finding an Internship
• Finding a Job
• Portfolio Advice
• Resume Advice
• Alumni Blog
• Alumni Statistics
• Prevention Plan
• For Students
• Press Releases
• Stay Connected
• Undergraduate Students
• Jobs + Opportunities
• Academic Advising
• Student Voice Project
• Scholarships + Awards
• Advisory Board
• A-Z Directory
• Recent News
• News Archive
• Technology + Equipment
• Rome Center
• Exhibitions, 2022-2023
• Exhibitions, 2021-2022
• Exhibitions, 2020-2021
• Exhibitions, 2019–2020
• Exhibitions, 2018–2019
• Exhibitions, 2017–2018
• Exhibitions, 2016–2017
• Exhibitions, 2015–2016
• Exhibitions, 2014–2015
• Jacob Lawrence Legacy Residency
• The Black Embodiments Studio
• BIPOC Graduate Student Curatorial Fellowship
• Critical Art Writing Group

You are here

• News & Events

Director's Notes – June 2024

The ebb and flow of life on campus is a constant, a rhythm that tends to build to an intense crescendo each quarter before the release following final papers and exams, exhibitions and critiques. Somehow we all - students, staff, and faculty - get through it, rest and recoup, and begin the cycle again. Spring quarter is a time of heightened extremes for those completing their degrees and it was with a collective sense of joy, relief, and pride that we congratulated 250 students at our 2024 Graduate Celebration at the Meany Center for the Performing Arts on June 8th.

Spring is also when awards are presented for extraordinary achievement and this year two members of our community were honored. Freesoul El-Shabazz Thompson was awarded with a College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Medal in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in pursuit of his MFA. The University of Washington Alumni Association selected Professor Emeritus Patti Warashina (BFA 1962, MFA 1964) to receive the Golden Graduate Distinguished Alumna Award . UWAA hosted a celebratory brunch at the Museum of Flight that was heralded by the Husky Marching Band much to the surprise and delight of the crowd. The BA and BDes capstone exhibitions at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery were energized and wonderful testaments of years of study and creativity. The MDes grads shared the Gallery this year with the BDes cohort while the MFA class exhibited at RailSpur in Pioneer Square. You can learn more about our graduate students’ thesis work in our Graduate Showcase website .

After ten years serving as director of the School of Art + Art History + Design, I will be stepping aside at the end of this month and returning to teaching. Professor of Visual Communication Design and Associate Director Annabelle Gould will be inheriting this position on July 1st as the first female director in the history of the School. Recognized for her award-winning publication designs, Annabelle is also a gifted teacher who has had a national impact on design education. The School will be in good hands.

It has been an eventful decade for the School as we have managed to solidify our presence and purpose on campus. There has been a generational transition amongst the staff and faculty resulting in new curriculum and opportunities for our students and expansive research trajectories for faculty and students.

I am particularly grateful that we were able to fulfill the vision of a new Jacob Lawrence Gallery that coincidentally resulted in dramatically upgrading several other teaching studios. Under the guidance of our dynamic new gallery director, Jordan Jones , I am excited about the future of the gallery and how it will expand its presence and impact on our community and beyond. Our remaining challenge is solidifying a consistent budget that can support our modest yet ambitious programming, especially now that we have a space that meets the standards of the American Association of Museums. While our long-term goal continues to build the Jacob Lawrence Gallery endowment, we have an immediate goal of raising $25,000 to support our robust programming in the coming year. Thank you for considering a gift to help us reach this goal .

It has been a privilege to steward the School for these past ten years, an opportunity beyond my wildest dreams when I enrolled in my first art class here at the UW almost fifty years ago. The past, present, and future collective community that is the School of Art + Art History + Design is amazing and continues to make a positive difference in so many lives.

Thank you once again to all who care and are curious about who we are and what we do.

• Announcements
• Jacob Lawrence Gallery
• Student Success

NCAA x Meta NIL Empower Program

The NCAA x Meta NIL Empower Program is geared at helping NCAA women student-athletes maximize name, image and likeness opportunities and prepare for life after sports.

Participation in the NCAA x Meta NIL Empower Program gives athletes:

• Direct access to Meta product experts to learn how to build a personal brand, grow an audience and maximize NIL opportunities across Meta’s platforms.
• Connections and networking opportunities with other women student-athletes and industry professionals.
• Gifting and swag.

Select athletes, as a result of participation, may receive:

• 1:1 Meta support.
• Priority for Meta editorial and product marketing opportunities.
• Exclusive access to NCAA events and career development opportunities.
• A trip to Meta headquarters.

How is the program structured?

There will be one fall program (September-November 2024) and one spring program (February-April 2025). Each program will include three virtual sessions (tentative dates below). Attending virtual sessions is strongly recommended. All sessions will be recorded, and detailed recaps will be provided. We recommend student-athletes apply for the program opposite their sport season to have adequate time to dedicate to the program.

Who should apply for the NCAA x Meta NIL Empower Program?

Athletes who identify as women across all sports and divisions are encouraged to apply. Program requirements:

• Must be a NCAA women’s sport athlete.
• Must have at least one year of college eligibility remaining.

Each program will include 50 student-athletes. Athletes will be chosen by Meta based on a set of criteria including diversity across sports and divisions, current social media presence, and why they want to join the program.

I would highly recommend the NIL Empower program as it provides a robust network for like-minded female college athletes to grow and support each other, both locally and nationally. The program fosters a community where athletes can share experiences, gain valuable insights, and build strong professional connections that are essential for personal and career development. Paige McCormick, University of Louisville Swimming & Diving

What are the dates of the NCAA x Meta NIL Empower Program?

Fall 2024 program:

• Session 1: Sept. 4
• Session 2: Oct. 2
• Session 3: Nov. 6

Spring 2025 program:

• Session 1: Feb. 5
• Session 2: Mar. 5
• Session 3: Apr. 2

How do you apply for the NCAA x Meta NIL Empower Program?

The application for the fall and spring programs closes July 14. Applications for the spring program will likely reopen for two weeks in December.

For questions about this program, please reach out to Mikaela Topper: [email protected]

Thanks for visiting !

The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy.

We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here.

Thank you for your support!

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Mom of transgender girl athlete says Florida’s investigation has destroyed her daughter’s life

Jessica Norton, with her husband, Gary, speaks during the public comment period at a Broward County School Board meeting in Fort Lauderdale held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Norton, whose daughter played on the Monarch High School volleyball team, was one of five Monarch officials removed from the school Nov. 27 amid an inquiry into possible violations of the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” a 2021 law that bans transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams. Norton is the only one facing potential discipline. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

Jessica Norton speaks during the public comment period at a Broward County School Board meeting in Fort Lauderdale held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Norton, whose daughter played on the Monarch High School volleyball team, was one of five Monarch officials removed from the school Nov. 27 amid an inquiry into possible violations of the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” a 2021 law that bans transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams. Norton is the only one facing potential discipline. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

Jessica Norton attends a Broward County School Board meeting in Fort Lauderdale held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Norton, whose daughter played on the Monarch High School volleyball team, was one of five Monarch officials removed from the school Nov. 27 amid an inquiry into possible violations of the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” a 2021 law that bans transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams. Norton is the only one facing potential discipline. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

Jessica Norton, with her husband, Gary, speaks during the public comment period at a Broward County School Board meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Norton, whose daughter played on the Monarch High School volleyball team, was one of five Monarch officials removed from the school Nov. 27 amid an inquiry into possible violations of the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” a 2021 law that bans transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams. Norton is the only one facing potential discipline. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

Jessica Norton, with her husband, Gary, speaks with reporters outside of a Broward County School Board meeting in Fort Lauderdale held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Norton, whose daughter played on the Monarch High School volleyball team, was one of five Monarch officials removed from the school Nov. 27 amid an inquiry into possible violations of the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” a 2021 law that bans transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams. Norton is the only one facing potential discipline. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

• Copy Link copied

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida public school employee who faces firing because she allowed her transgender daughter to play girls high school volleyball assailed those who outed her child, saying Tuesday that the ensuing investigation destroyed the girl’s life.

Jessica Norton said her daughter was thriving at Monarch High School in suburban Fort Lauderdale before an anonymous tipster notified a Broward County school board member in November that the 16-year-old was playing on the girls varsity volleyball team in apparent violation of state law. The 2021 Fairness in Women’s Sports Act bars students who were born male from participating in girls sports.

That November tip launched a school district investigation that has led to Norton facing the possible loss of her job as a computer information specialist at Monarch because she allowed her daughter to play. Investigators also said she didn’t, as part of her job, change the child’s gender on school records back to “male” from “female,” as required by district policy.

Norton told the school board Tuesday that her daughter had been elected freshman and sophomore class president, was selected the student body’s director of philanthropy and was a homecoming princess. That all ended when the investigation began and the girl left Monarch.

“They destroyed her high school career and her lifelong memories,” Norton said. “I saw the light in my daughter’s eyes gleam with future plans of organizing and attending prom, participating in and leading senior class traditions, speaking at graduation and going off to college with the confidence and joy that any student like her would after a successful and encouraging high school experience. And 203 days ago, I watched as that life was extinguished.”

The girl now attends school online.

None of the board’s nine members responded to Norton, a seven-year district employee who received stellar evaluations before November.

Treatment of transgender children has been a hot-button issue across the country over the last few years. Florida is among at least 25 states that adopted bans on gender-affirming care for minors and one of at least 24 states that’s adopted a law banning transgender women and girls from certain women’s and girls sports.

The board had been scheduled to vote Tuesday on Superintendent Howard Hepburn’s recommendation that Norton be fired, but that decision has been delayed at least a month. A district committee recommended that Norton receive a 10-day suspension, but Hepburn overrode it. He has not said why. The board could fire Norton, suspend her or do nothing.

Monarch Principal James Cecil and three other administrators were temporarily reassigned when the investigation began , but were reinstated after student protests. The state’s athletic commission fined the school $16,500 .

Broward is one of Florida’s most politically liberal counties, with twice as many Democrats as Republicans, and has a large LGBTQ+ community. The countywide school district is the nation’s fifth largest, with almost 255,000 students at 327 schools.

According to the district investigative report, board member Daniel Foganholi contacted the district’s police department after he received the tip. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Foganholi last year after the elected board member was found ineligible to serve.

Since 2021, DeSantis has signed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act and other measures targeting the transgender community. The Nortons are plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit trying to block the act.

Foganholi did not respond to emails last week and on Monday seeking comment.

Norton’s child began taking puberty blockers at age 11 and takes estrogen but has not had gender-affirming surgery. Such procedures are rarely done on minors.

Her parents say she often sat on the bench for Monarch’s volleyball team and has no athletic advantages from being born male. When investigators asked Cecil to describe the child, he said, “She looks like a girl to me. ... she seems very small, very skinny.”

Responding to Foganholi’s complaint, Broward schools assigned two officers to investigate. The state education department also appointed an investigator.

They pulled school records for Norton’s daughter and locked them in a vault. They interviewed officials at Monarch and at the daughter’s middle and elementary schools, seeking to find out who knew the girl was transgender and when and how her records were changed. They also interviewed Norton and three Monarch volleyball players.

Norton, who has two older children, told them she enrolled her youngest child in kindergarten as a boy in 2013, four years before she began working for the district. The child transitioned to a girl in first grade. She said other parents and children knew, so it has never been a complete secret.

She said when her child was in second grade, she asked a school employee to change the child’s gender on her school records. She said then-Superintendent Robert Runcie told her that was the procedure. Runcie left the district in 2021 after an unrelated controversy and was not contacted.

But the district says such changes are only allowed if the parent first gets the child’s birth certificate amended. The birth certificate wasn’t amended until 2021 after Norton started working with the district. The district says after learning about its policy, Norton should have requested in 2017 that her child’s gender be changed back to male on her records.

Norton told investigators she didn’t because the amended records are accurate — her child is a girl.

Norton knew the new state law barred transgender girls from playing girls sports when her daughter entered high school in 2022. The detectives asked why she then let her daughter play volleyball and why she marked “female” on a permission form that asked the child’s “sex at birth.”

“Because she’s my child and she wanted to play,” Norton told them. Norton coached the junior varsity volleyball team.

When investigators interviewed the Monarch volleyball players, they said the team did not change clothes or shower together, so they were never disrobed with Norton’s daughter. All three said they knew or suspected Norton’s daughter is transgender, but it didn’t bother them that she was on the team. The Knights went 13-7 last season.

“I didn’t really have a problem with it because I didn’t think she was a threat or anything to anyone else,” one girl told investigators.