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A Day In The Life Of A DIII Athlete

Is there ever really an "off season"?

Nicki Patterson

Apr 25, 2016

Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg State Womens Lacrosse

So you’ve worked hard throughout high school, on and off the field, to make sure you are in top physical condition and have been chosen to perform as an elite member of some college's athletic program. Some were recruited for the top schools in the country, playing at their highest calibers at Division I schools, others will choose to play at Division II or III schools. While there is no doubt that DI schools need massive amounts of commitment and time, sometimes the sacrifices of DIII athletes is overlooked. Even as DIII athlete, your time is scheduled and structured entirely, during season and out of season. So for everyone that thinks being a DIII college is easy and more like a hobby then anything else, here is a look at my typical “off-season” day.

5:45 AM: Yeah, no. The alarm can blare all it wants but we both know there is no chance I'm getting out of bed right now.

6:00 AM: Okay, I'm gonna wake up this time. I roll over, get dressed, and force a granola bar down as I walk out the door.

6:15 AM: I make my way down to the gym. I’m probably cursing the day I decided to pick up a lacrosse stick and also the day I decided to go to a college in New England. Nobody should walk this far in 20 degree weather at 6 a.m.

6:30 AM: Well I'm here. On time. What my reward? Sprints.

7:30 AM: Finally, were done sprinting. I'm lying on the gym floor, considering crying. But, lets be honest, crying would take too much energy at this point.

7:35 AM: Remember I have an 8 a.m. Now I just have to decide whether I should change, shower, or eat. (Its obviously eat. Its always eat)

7:40 AM: Sit at the dining hall, stuffing my face with coco puffs and yellow Gatorade. I suggest not looking too closely, its not really a pretty sight.

7:50 AM: And I just remembered my 8 a.m. Aaaand its on the other side of campus. I sit and debate skipping it my classes all together but I only get two free skips and games are taking me out of at least four of them.

7:51 AM: Sprint to class. I mean I’m already wearing sweats and workout clothes, whats one more sprint?

7:59 AM: Arrive at class, accept the glares from classmates as I slump into my chair, in my third “groufit” of the week, sweating like an old man in a sauna (and smelling like a gorilla). I’m used to it, they will be too soon.

8:00 AM: Great, I’ll just sit here and listen to the professor rant about “being early” and “dressing for success”, yeah yeah I get it. But this is what my success looks like.

9:15 AM: Between classes I redo my ponytail, dab my self with damp paper towels, reapply deodorant, you know, try to girly it up a bit.

3:15 PM: Finally, I’m done with classes! Aaand I have practice on the other side campus in 15 minutes. Why is everything always on the other side of campus? Coach does this on purpose doesn't he? Its just his tricky way of making me do more sprints. Well played, Coach.

3:25 PM: Ha! Jokes on you Coach, I caught the shuttle. Shout out to the shuttle driver that took pity on me carrying my school bag, books, lacrosse bag, and stick while I sprinted up the hill. He's the real MVP.

3:28 PM: I’m here, early. 8 a.m. And Coach is glaring… “if you're not 15 minutes early, you're late.” Let's be realistic here, Coach, we’re lucky if I am 15 seconds early.

3:29 PM: On the plus side, it only takes me seconds to get ready since I’m still dressed from workouts earlier. That's why you always choose food over anything else. Crap. Food. I haven’t eaten since breakfast, thank God for granola bars. I’m pretty sure I single handily keep Nature Valley in business.

3:30 PM: Time to start practice, woo!

5:30 PM: I know I’m just a player and not a coach, but uh pretty sure practice is supposed to be over right now. Not “okay skills are over, time for cardio”. Oh whats that? Sprints? Yeah, I would love to, thank you.

5:45 PM: All right, cool were actually done with practice. The dining hall is closing at 6, because for some reason that makes sense. Sweet, guess where we are! The other side of campus. Can you guess how we have to get there? Sprinting.

5:55 PM: I stroll into Daka, sweaty and out of breath. But your stares don’t bother me anymore when I’m rolling in 25 deep with my squad in matching groufits. Swag $$

6:00 PM: I’m probably a plate of pasta and two slices of pizza deep by now, I know, impressive right? But don’t be fooled, I’m definitely about to go up and get a bowl of cereal and then dessert.

6:45 PM: Finally I can walk somewhere instead of sprinting. This is nice. Is this how it feels to be a NARP? I could get used to walking.

6:50 PM: Okay so there's eight of us and only two showers. Let the brawls begin.

7:30 PM: All showered and clean. I should do homework… But first I’ll just unwind a bit. Guess its time for Netflix.

10:19 PM: Five episodes and a nap later, I wake up realizing I have an essay, 30 chapter questions, and a project due tomorrow. Great.

11:30 PM: I'm probably still watching Netflix tbh

12:15 PM: Homework is finally done. I realize I have lift in five-and-a-half hours. Awesome. At least its not sprinting, am I right? Aha ha ha ha ha (and my laugh slowly turns into weeping and I drift off to sleep).

*Sometimes this schedule changes, like on Wednesdays! Then we have practice 8:30-11 PM! Woo!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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