If you're anything like me, you want to play your favorite sport for as long a possible. College club sports are a great way to continue your dreams of going pro; but, at the same time, a wake-up call you'll get deep down. At this point in your life, you are pretty much a washed up athlete holding on to a broken dream. Club sports are slightly more serious organization than your typical intramural sports team, but not as serious as it would be if you were playing for a school. Here are eight signs that you are a washed up high school star athlete playing for a club team in college.
1. You probably drank heavily the night before a big game.
The night before a big game is often on a weekend and all the parties are on the weekend. "It's chill bro! The game isn't for another 10 hours! I'll sober up before tomorrow!"
LOL YOU THOUGHT
2. Because of this, you've probably played in a game drunk or hungover.
Some of my best memories from my club team are from moments like these. You won't understand until you've experienced it.
3. You take your diet VERY seriously.
Everyone knows food is fuel. You're only going to perform your best if you fuel your body with the best!
4. Other times, you completely blow off the diet.
Other times, cravings get the best of you. "It's just one cookie man. One cookie won't hurt." *5 cookies later* . . ."I'm going to throw up at practice tonight dude."
5. Practice takes up a surprising amount of time.
Between classes, commitments to other organizations, homework, and your broken sleep schedule. You really never have any free time.
6. People ask if you play for the school
"Oh, you play lacrosse here?! I didn't know our school had a NCAA team!" As much as I'd love to get paid to play, I'm average at best and lacrosse isn't big out here.
7. You have to go the recreation center or a local gym to lift.
Unfortunately, despite what some people think, club sports don't get to train in the special facilities the NCAA teams train in. Did your coach write a lifting session for you? Too bad! You have to go to the packed student fitness center like everyone else.
8. You still cry when you lose a game you really wanted to win.
Despite club sports being small, there are still huge rivalries between certain schools. When you play these teams you will do anything to win. Anything. When you emerge victorious, you go nuts; but when you lose, the playing field turns into a swimming pool.
Playing club sports can be a great way to continue your joke of an athletic career in college. You will make some incredible friends, have practices that run until midnight, and maybe even play a game or two hammered. How many D1 commits can say they've done that?