#2 The Big Decision

 Deciding to become a student-athlete at any level is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Joining/continuing a sport is a hefty investment of time, money and energy to add to the intensity of academic life. The mere action of going forth into a season is a full-hearted commitment to a team, a coaching staff and all the supporters who selflessly invest into a student-athlete. Not only do student-athletes make a commitment to all those other people, but they make a commitment to themselves. Playing a sport will consume their life physically, mentally, financially and socially.
An old coach of mine once told me, “any job worth doing is a job worth doing right. If you are told to clean a toilet you will do that to the best of your ability.” Playing a sport requires that an athlete give 100% of themselves 100% of the time regardless of what task they are given. You never know when you are being watched or who you are talking to; that man cleaning the field might just be the head coach of the high school/college that your game is being held at. Also, there is always someone working harder than you (as mentioned in the first blog, “What is a Student-Athlete”), so giving less than your absolute best effort is only setting yourself further behind from your competitor. Furthermore, sports to a student-athlete are hands down the largest investment in their life thus far. They spend countless hours perfecting their craft and many times they spend outrageous amounts of money on sports equipment, dietary supplements, training, etc. Many student-athletes lose focus of the investment they are making when participating in sports. It is vital that a student-athlete understand the true sacrifice being made for them to play their sport. When deciding to play a sport a student-athlete must be dedicated and in love with the game as well as prepared for sacrifices and setbacks. They will be giving up a great portion of their free time and finances and will be physically and mentally tasked with more work than ever before. The responsibilities of a student-athlete will double as compared to the average person. This is why successful student-athlete will dedicate 100% of themselves to both their academic and athletic growth, because they are already behind.
A student-athlete should be considering their future as they begin/continue their academic and athletic careers. If a student-athlete plans on having kids at a young age and wants to work in physical labor, it may be best to hang up the cleats a little earlier. They only have one body and not being able to play with the kids because they blew their knees out too many times or having to retire early because their body is giving out on them causing them to struggle to pay the bills is most definitely not worth it. The health and well being of a student-athlete and their families outweighs the importance of an athletic career. Most vividly, a student-athlete in a high concussion risk sport who has previously suffered concussions should consider the risk. Damaging their brain could seriously impact their academic lives as well. Academics will always come before the sport.

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