A student-athlete is someone who gets up every day and makes him or herself go to class, even though they are exhausted and sore, and then goes to practice. They are some of the most hardworking and dedicated individuals I’ve ever known.

While you are walking around campus, there is a 100% chance that you will run into an athlete. I know they can be intimidating, but they are genuinely good and kind people. If you stop one of them, they are more than happy to talk to you, even if they may be really stressed. Why? Because they know how important they are to us and even how important we are to them.

It’s funny that we already look at them as celebrities because, really, they are still trying to get an education to better their lives just like the rest of us. They wake up every morning, ready to learn and excel not only athletically, but also academically. They are held to high standards and they work hard to reach them. There is the stereotype that athletes don’t care about school and just try to skate by, and for some schools that may be true, but not for Mississippi State.

Not only do our athletes strive for academic greatness, but they aim to be good people. While being at Mississippi State, I have seen first-hand how caring, giving, good-natured, and sincere our athletes are. They are always doing outreach and serving the Starkville community. They take pride in what they represent.

I have witnessed many of them stop and hold a conversation with someone instead of just brushing them off with a “hey” and a smile.

They want to know us just as much as we want to know them, and without even realizing it, we look up to the athletes.

We watch what they do, we follow them on social media, and we read all the articles about them. Their character is unmatched and they are the epitome of what Mississippi State stands for.

They are dedicated to a cause. They persevere through tough times and make the best of situations. They are humble. They are passionate. They set an example.

They are leaders and they don’t take that lightly.

Throughout this first year of college, it has been made clear that we are not just fellow students or fans of these amazing athletes, but we are family. We take pleasure in supporting them and wanting the best for them because they deserve it.

They have a goal to be great and successful, and it’s an honor to watch them achieve it each and every day.

They are athletes. They are students. They are people… and we love them.

Thank you, Mississippi State athletes for all you do, on and off the court and field.