For The Love Of The Game

A student athlete is a participant in an organized competitive sport sponsored by the educational institution in which he or she is enrolled. Student athletes must typically balance the roles of being a part time athlete, part time student, part time lover and full time stressed. 

One thing I know for sure after my conversation with Tris & Kris is that, while the student-athlete may be contributing to the success of their universities sports teams on the field (or court), this individual is also taking some major L's off the field.

"Balancing was the hardest part about being a student-athlete" said Tris, who attended the University of North Carolina during the time that the 2014 academic football scandal took place, "I had to prove myself academically to people as an athlete because of that situation." Which meant lots of her time being occupied with her books and being involved in as many credible academic organizations that she could bare. 

"My parents always said, 'focus on you, forget everybody else.' and that's what I did," Tris says with a oh-well attitude on her face. She focused on herself so well that she admits that having much time for a significant other was always difficult.

"When it comes to dating its important that you find someone who understands that you wont be able to spend a lot of time with them." Kris mentioned as he chimed in on the conversation about the dating scene for athletes.

"That's why its not uncommon for athletes to date other athletes, it was common to see girls on the track team dating guys from the football team." Says Kris who was reflecting on his personal experience at North Carolina State University.

It was apparent to me that in this athlete lifestyle, everything comes at cost. I was more intrigued than ever to figure out just how much these athletes were willing to pay.

So I asked the ultimate question, with everything that these student athletes have to manage, maintaining grades that meet NCAA requirements, performing well within their sport in order to keep scholarships, should the student athlete be paid for what they do?

"Athletes are paid for what they do through scholarships and 'per-diem' (sidenote: per diem is money that the athletes receive per day when traveling for school related sporting events)," Tris says.

To be honest I wasn't expecting that answer, especially from an athlete, I was shocked! Any other time I have ever asked this question its a quick and straight to the point answer of, yes. However I'm drawing to the conclusion that, for most athletes your  socioeconomic background plays a role into how you answer the ultimate question.

From my knowledge Tris comes from a well-rounded background, she has parents who make a very decent living and could have paid for her education if need be. So when you think about it its not too surprising that she answered the way that she did.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are many student-athletes who without scholarships, would have no means to obtain post-secondary education. It is these students who would hang onto their 'per-diem,' because it was likely that they would need the funds for another day (smart move, I think so).

My initial thought for those students who may be in a less fortunate financial situation was, why not just get a job to help get you that extra money? But then I thought between classes, practice and actual sporting events when, where and how would anyone be able to manage all that shit! So it would appear to me that if you don't have the financial support system you need back home, having that extra financial cushion did not exist. That means no phone calls back home to mom, asking for that extra $20 to get you through the weekend so you could hit the Talley Party and manage to get a tray from Cookout afterwards.  

So you work your ass off for your coaches, your teammates, your school and your grades...and its all in the name of doing something you love. 

I mean yes, your education is being paid through athletic scholarship but majority of students in college have plenty of other means to pay for college aside from scholarships. There's also the fact that your social life is a lot different than the average college student, your social group is centered around the individuals on your team, and that in itself can cause issues on its own and most weekends are spent traveling to sporting events and even vigorous practices on occasions. You have to begin to think that unless you're absolutely going professional in your sport once you complete college, is it all worth it?

According to these former D1 athletes, they wouldn't take a single moment back that they experienced as a student-athlete. 

"I need them perks (benefits)," Kris stated quickly after I posed the question of whether they regretted deciding to compete in sports on the collegiate level. 

Despite all the regulations and rules set in place by the NCAA, all the stereotypes male and female athletes must combat, despite the pressure and stress...they wouldn't trade their experience for the world.

To each his own, I suppose.

So, what do I think, is the student athlete life worth the hype?

To be completely honest, I think not. 

I whole heartedly believe that majority of people have a big misconception on what its really like to play sports at the collegiate level. Every aspect of an athletes life is guided by rules, regulations and expectations.

You don't miss practice, you don't miss class, you're expected to workout outside of practice. You know how majority of college students gain 15lbs our freshmen year because we get to eat however we want and drink as much as we'd like? Well if you're a student athlete it doesn't quite happen that way. This is no life of luxury, no life of privilege, everything you do cost you either time or energy.

But its all for the love of the game.