6 Reasons to Be A Thankful Student-Athlete

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Photo Courtesy: Mid-American Conference

By Emma Foster, Swimming World College Intern

Around this time of the year, a feeling of gratitude for everything that we are lucky enough to have in our lives is usually on people’s minds. From good friends, good food, supportive families and an opportunity to be pursuing our beloved sport at the college level, college swimmers have a lot of things to list when it’s their turn to share what they are thankful for on Thanksgiving Day.

There is a pretty prevalent awareness as a swimming community surrounding the awesomeness that is being a swimmer, but one thing that might be undervalued is how great it is to have a place in the athletic community as a college swimmer. College sports represent a unique space in the college experience, and no matter what level you are competing at, there is something incredible to be gained from the years you spend not only as a swimmer, but as a student-athlete.

Here are some of the biggest things we have to be thankful for as a student athlete:

1. The Athletic Community

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Photo Courtesy:

Being in an athletic community is like walking into a gigantic family. As a timid college freshman, a student-athlete not only gains a team of swimmers ready to go to bat for them, but they walk into an athletic community that is supportive of and excited about what they are doing.

It was a totally awesome moment my freshman year when the volleyball coach personally stopped by our practice to make sure we were coming to the game because he knew his players played well when we were there cheering for them. Or when I ran into a cross-country runner in the elevator and shared a mutual chuckle as we glanced at the ice packs taped to our bodies. Or when I could immediately strike up a conversation with one of the soccer girls in a class where I knew no one, because although we had never met we shared a mutual connection through our sports. Being in an athletic community in college means you never really feel alone. Even if you manage to extricate yourself from your team for a few minutes, there are hundreds of other extended-teammates from other sports just waiting to cheer you on.

2. Priority Registration

School work

Photo Courtesy: Shelby Iava

As simple as it is, if you are a college athlete that is fortunate enough to have priority registration for classes you know how lucky you are. I will forever be grateful that I don’t have to add the stress of worrying about not getting into the classes I need on top of trying to figure out how I am possibly going to arrange my schedule around my practice times. Come registration week, I always feel a little bit guilty, and incredibly thankful as my other friends stress about getting into classes with their delayed registration times.

3. Time Management

Beach Studying

Photo Courtesy: Dan Worden

As a student-athlete, you learn how to prioritize your time. There is no other option, when you have a weight and swim session in the morning, two classes, and another practice in the afternoon before meetings and maybe even a job, there is not time to let yourself be unscheduled.

Your fellow athletes will most likely have the same level of time management, and that makes it even easier to make sure you are staying on top of it and getting stuff done. When you aren’t the only one pleading a night in in favor of getting homework done, or making sure to do your reading on a travel trip, it is way easier to stay on top of yourself and make sure you’re not forgetting the importance of the “student” as a student-athlete.

4. Adult Mentors

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Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

One thing that has been an incredible part of being a student-athlete at my school is the high level of adult support I have received upon arriving at my university. College is a time of independence, but often in the first years before you find your niche with an advisor or department head, college students may feel lacking in the adult-mentoring field.

We all crave that relationship with adults who just seem to have everything together, and who are interested in helping you get there. As a college athlete I have been overwhelmed by how many adults there are in the athletic community that are interested in my success. Not only my coaches, but also my athletic advisors, trainers, compliance officers, and everyone in between are invested in my and my teammates successes, and are someone I can turn to should I need something. As a college student trying to figure out how exactly the whole adulting thing works, having this level of support is incredibly comforting.

5. Older Teammates

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Photo Courtesy: Doug Keller

I have consistently been in awe of my older teammates since I joined my team. They always seem to have it so together, and since my freshman year I have been hoping to have that same level of grace and focus that they all seem to effortlessly exude. Having them as role models and modes of support throughout the transition of practices, classes, and everything that goes with being a college athlete has always been something I am grateful for.

Looking beyond even my teammates, watching the older students in the athletic community grow, succeed, and go on to amazing things has inspired me to believe that I am truly capable of anything I set my mind to. I know that if I were to call one of them up and let them know that I was a fellow member of our athletic community they would lend an ear and offer support in whatever way they can.

6. Reaching for the same goals.

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Photo Courtesy: American Athletic Conference

Perhaps the coolest part of being a student-athlete is the way in which the athletic community all comes together to achieve the same goals. At some point, the lines between the soccer team, the swim team, the track team, and the rowing team begin to blur and what is left is one team, a community focused on being the best they can be in every way that they can. Looking around and realizing that your athletic community has become a family that you can depend on and cheer for long after you have swam your last lap is something truly special, and another thing to add to your long list of gratitude.

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Richard Clifford
8 years ago

Meaghan Kwarcinski

Meaghan Kwarcinski
8 years ago

This is spot on. So thankful for my swimming roots. Thanks for sharing!

Richard Clifford
8 years ago

Marcia Cleveland For Julia as she moves forward.

Marcia Cleveland
8 years ago

Thank you so much for thinking of her! She is an amazing young woman, thanks to so many of the mentors she’s had in her life, including you. I remember when I was pregnant with her and you were giving me loads of advice.

Cathleen Pruden
8 years ago

This is a great one! So, so accurate!!

Sheri Lekavy
8 years ago

Kellee Lekavy

Tina Klenke Pierce
8 years ago

Great article Morgan Pierce

Charlene Tallen
8 years ago

Alison Tallen

Eugene LaCoursiere
8 years ago

This is a incredibly great sport. These men and women work so very hard. The love and dedication is amazing.

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