By Alyssa Brock
“It’s just a game.”
Athletes hear it all the time, no matter the length of their careers. However, for college athletes, it’s more of a lifestyle with many opportunities. Sports can teach maturity, help pay for college and prepare students for the pressures of any profession they enter.
Claire Knies, a senior guard on the women’s basketball team, said: “Playing sports has made me a well-rounded person and builds character. I have been able to meet people from all kinds of backgrounds and cultures.”
College athletes are also more likely to graduate. “The likelihood of an NCAA athlete earning a college degree is significantly greater; graduation success rates are 86% in Division I, 71% in Division II and 87% in Division III,” according to the NCAA website.
There are many advantages to playing college sport that will help athletes in their careers after graduation. Athletes often have busy, grueling schedules, and that shows employers these candidates can multitask and manage their time.
Meagan Murphy, a former BU softball player pursuing her MBA at Bellarmine, said, “Playing sports in college has taught me time management, which is the most important value that I have learned.”
Olivia Bricker, a senior outfielder in the Bellarmine MBA program, said: “College sports has really prepared me for life outside of sports. I feel like it has really taught me time management, how to fight through adversity and deal with challenges.”
Having an internship or job while playing sports can be challenging, but it also allows athletes to get an education and experience outside the classroom.
Bricker said: “Being at Bellarmine I have had the opportunity to work with Norton's Sports Performance and the Louisville Slugger Hitting Science Center. I have been able to work with pro athletes, college athletes and even middle and high schoolers. I have been able to do so many others from sales and marketing, data analytics and working really hands on with people.”
Bailee Witt, a former soccer player who now teaches at Atkins Elementary, said athletics taught her how to run her classroom and help her students strive to be great.
Communication is key when playing any team sport. Whether an athlete is chatting with teammates, speaking with a coach or talking with professors about missing class, strong oral communication is a desirable skill to employers.
Murphy said, “I have had to deal with different interpersonal communications strategies but also how to be resilient and handle adversity.”
The athletes said it is important to reflect and share their experiences because they might help others.
“I would tell myself to pick a different major,” said Murphy.
Witt said, “Go into everything with an open mind, try new things and reach out to new people.”
Megan Murphy winds up to deliver a strike. Photo courtesy of John Sommers II.
Claire Knies lays it up to put the Knights ahead by 2 points. Photo courtesy of John Sommers II.
Bailee Witt makes a diving effort to block a goal. Photo courtesy of John Sommers II.
Olivia Bricker tracks a fly ball. Photo courtesy of John Sommer II.
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