What does it mean to be a student-athlete? I'll tell you one thing, it means a heck of a lot more than just playing a game on the weekend in a school colored uniform. For each athlete, it might mean something a little different, but usually there are a few things that come to mind when we think of ourselves as student-athletes.
A lot of people get caught up with the idea that being a student-athlete means being a jock and that the only thing we care about is winning, but that is completely wrong. Naturally, athletes love to win, but that's not what being a student-athlete is all about. Instead, let me give you a short list about what it really means to be a student-athlete.
1. Discipline.
Being a student-athlete means discipline - both on the court, and off. We have to be as disciplined with our school work as we are in practices and matches/games. Without discipline, we won't be able to get the results we want, athletically and academically. We have to discipline ourselves to get up early for 5 am workouts/practice, and we have to discipline ourselves to stay up late and finish all the homework we have to make up for missing classes due to traveling.
2. Pride.
Being a student-athlete means having pride. Why do something without having any pride in yourself or in what you are doing? As athletes, we always have pride in what we do, and how we are performing. We have pride in the school we play for and the accomplishments we have made in athletics and academics.
3. Dedication.
Being a student-athlete means having dedication. There's no doubt that we are dedicated, or we wouldn't make ourselves go through some of the trials and tribulations that come with being a student-athlete. We are dedicated to becoming better athletes and becoming better students. We are dedicated because we want to be, not only because our coaches tell us to be. We're dedicated to improving in every aspect.
4. Academics.
Being a student-athlete means having good academics. Without academics, we couldn't be athletes. Academics is what keeps us on the athletic team, otherwise, we would be ineligible. Thanks to the movies, people often get the wrong idea when it comes to athletes; they think that they are just jocks with no brains, but that couldn't be any more false. As student-athletes, we have high standards in academics as well as the sport we are performing in.
5. Representation.
Being a student-athlete means having representation. We not only represent ourselves but our family, friends and especially our school. We have to hold ourselves to a high standard of professionalism in all aspects, whether it's on social media or during a competition because there is always someone who is taking a closer look at us than we think.
6. Belief.
Being a student-athlete means having belief. Without belief, it's hard to accomplish anything. One of my biggest mottos in life is to believe. Whether I'm competing or questioning if I can get an assignment done on time, I always stop myself and tell myself to believe. It calms me down and gives me confidence in whatever I'm doing.
So yes, being a student-athlete often means winning, and working out, and traveling and getting medals. But on a deeper level, it means so much more. I love being a student-athlete, and wouldn't trade it for the world.
