Collegiate Athletics 101
“I would like to play volleyball in college.“
“I want to get a scholarship for volleyball."
I hear these sentences almost every day. However, I am not sure if prospective athletes (those pursuing a scholarship and those who already committed) understand what they are in for. I can’t blame them for not knowing - the grind is definitely not sexy and glamorous like many other things are made to seem. Raw, unedited reality is definitely going to hit.
What athletes need to understand, especially those on the freshman level, is that playing a sport at a college level is life changing experience. You leave your home maybe even the country and your entire life changes in a day.
Granted, starting college is in itself life-changing: new little room, new relationships, new environment, new school, new professors, new expectations, new rules, new problems. For athletes it’s even more intense. On top of all the things mentioned, it is the new coach, new gym, new schedule, and especially for volleyball players - your season starts as you move in. No time to ponder, no time to adjust. It’s GO time.
As a college level student athlete you must be able to juggle a lot of things. It’s a 4-5 year journey of overpacked schedule, and there is no one to blame - it is a lifestyle you chose. You have to realize that college life is never, ever easy, even for the best of prepared students, and in order to survive you have to master time management, mental and physical toughness.
So, where does it start?
First off, you have to treat the situation like a professional: this is a full time job and I need to show up for every day for your work. You are getting paid (your tuition/ fees, books, travel, wardrobe, athletic training, tutors, meals, etc). Therefore, this is your FULL time job. You are not on your time anymore - you are on somebody else’s time.
Again remember, all of this is your choice. Inform yourself so you wouldn't be caught by surprise.
As a former collegiate Division I Athlete, I would like to clarify some expectations and responsibilities that come with being in this role.
You are a student-athlete, but the athlete part really comes first.
Paradoxically, you are expected to pass all of your classes and maintain a certain GPA, otherwise you will become ineligible to play and possibly lose your scholarship.
You practice 6 days a week (1 day off during the week - traveling counts as a day off, so does therapy, so does tutoring, so do meetings, watching film etc).
Most practices are 3 hours long - this doesn’t include individual skill practices, pre-game practice, staying extra etc.
Pre-season means spending most of the day in the gym, with breaks only to eat, meet or get therapy.
Weight-room doesn't count as practice so that is an additional hour a day.
Meetings, athletic training, pre-game meals, team bonding activities, volunteering, fundraising, tutor, media, student athlete events, guest speakers, study hall are mandatory and don't count as your training hours.
Most of the traveling is Thursday-Sunday and you will miss classes and exams that you will have to make up.
Unless you are really sick or injured and considered “unable to practice” by a medical professional, you are expected to be in practice or in game.
If something hurts, you have to take Aleve or two and/or do an ice bath, but you still have to practice.
If you are injured you are still obligated to be in practice and do your rehab. It is not a time off. If your arm is broken, you work your legs; if your legs are broken, you work your arms.
You do your studying whenever you get a chance: on the bus, on the airplane, at the airport, in the hotel, at night. Best advice from athletics: eat when you can; sleep when you can.
On game day, there is usually one hour of pre-game practice, watching tape or team meetings - count that your day is taken completely.
If you have been up all night studying, nobody cares. You are expected to be at your practice or game at your very best.
You must be on time (which really means 15 minutes before) anything. Being tardy is not an option.
You will eat most of your meals on the go. Also, keep in mind, it’s not mom's cooking that will be offered, so you will have to adjust your nutrition to the new environment and schedule.
Your personal life comes very last. You have to leave it outside of the court. If you want to party - great, but you better show up on time, with no excuses and ready to work.
If you make it to the NCAA Tournament, you will compete and travel during your final exams week. Your athletic commitment will not change just because you have exams or 20 page paper due. Find a way.
Whether you are pre-med, engineering or history major, nobody cares. You still have to make good grades and pass your classes.
You are expected to make a number of personal sacrifices for the team and the common goal that is being set.
You are not always going to like/ love your coach and team. It is great if you do, but remember - even if you don’t, find a way. It’s your job in question and hopefully your passion.
The great news is that Collegiate Athletics are, despite all that I've just listed, definitely worth the sacrifice. Upon completion, you will have no student debt (can't out a price on that!), and you will have acquired time management and self management skills that will work in your favor for the rest of your life. You will have mastered to balance your responsibilities, to prioritize in very stressful situations, to ditch the excuses. You will have learned to overcome adversity, pain, injustice, and to perform well under pressure.
One day, you will still have to meet job deadlines while having crying babies at home, health issues, family responsibilities, financial issues, etc. But have no worries, you already will have been through that for 4 years, and you'll do just fine.