The definition a student-athlete is a participant in an organized competitive sport
sponsored by the educational institution in which he or she is enrolled.
When I think about a student-athlete I think of a disciplined human being. Making the decision to be a student-athlete you have to remember that you are a full-time student as well as full-time athlete. Chances are if you make it to collegiate athletics, you have already put in countless hours, blood, sweat, tears and many missed important events and don’t forget school work.
You have to change your mindset to be different from the average person. Being a student-athlete you move, think and dream at a higher level. You get to meet many other athletes that are talented, gifted, driven, dedicated, and so much more. Most of the time you built lifelong relationships. You get to create bonds and friendships with people that all start because you share a passion for the same thing as them: being a student-athlete.
To this day I still am in contact with some of the athletes I competed with. Being a student-athlete means that young kids look up to you in an admirable way and you have the influence to empower them and keep them reaching for their dreams.
Only athletes understand what other athletes go through and because of that it creates unification between sports.
When we look back at your time being an athlete you won’t remember most how much
you hated practices (although they will forever be in your mind), yet you will remember the joy,
happiness, and pride that was spent doing what you love with people that you love. It means that
when you graduate you walk across that stage knowing you gave all you could in the classroom
and you represented your school playing your sport, and that is a dedication only some will come
By Dr. Ciara Taborn