Student Athletes Face More Than Academic Challenges

Student-athletes receive scholarships, public recognition, travel to various places around the country, a full athletic wardrobe, and more. But athletic participation may not be as glamorous as many perceive it to be.

Winston-Salem State athletes have had made many changes and adjustments to their lifestyles.

"It is much harder in college to be a student and an athlete. Not only do we practice every day and sometimes play three times in a week, but we also do homework, prepare for tests and make time fora social life," said Leslie Hollis, shortstop for the Rams softball team.

Athletes not only have academic responsibilities, but they also spend countless hours outside the classroom doing various activities in their respective sports. For example, many athletic teams return early to campus to begin pre-season conditioning.

The volleyball team arrives two weeks prior to the start of classes to begin pre-season conditioning. The daily schedule consists of 6 a.m. conditioning, noon workouts, and 3 p.m. court practices.

During the season, morning sessions are completed as needed, either at 5 or 6 a.m. Next, players go to their daily classes, and there is evening court practice from 4 to 7 p.m. Following practice is a mandatory study hall from 8 to 10 p.m. In addition, meetings, video review, and treatment of injuries take place in between these activities.

Lastly, the team travels to and from various universities in athletic competition, and when scheduling permits, the team does community service work.

If that is not enough, WSSU athletes have to follow all the same university rules and regulations as other students, as well as team rules and, ultimately, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules. All of these rules and regulations can become stressful to student-athletes.

"One has to remember what one can and cannot do, such as eating or drinking medicines or fluids that may have illegal substances; and sometimes, even normal extracurricular activities that most college students can participate in are frowned on by the NCAA," said Andrew Jones, who plays tennis at WSSU.

By following these rules and regulations, athletes make many changes in order to maintain a scholarship and team membership. NCAA rules are the governing rules for collegiate athletic participation. Some of the mandated requirements by the NCAA include a certain percentage of progress toward graduation every academic year, and athletes are limited to four years of athletic competition and aid.

For example, a regular student goes out and returns to his or her dorm intoxicated at 4 a.m. and does not awaken for class the next day. This is an individual problem. However, when an athlete takes these types of actions, he or she can be suspended for a few games or suspended indefinitely.

The role of the NCAA and others such as coaches is tremendous in the lives of athletes. Sophomore quarterback Jarrett Dunston says other sources of pressure include "peers, the media, and the pursuit of winning."