Some schools have more excellent resources and can supply more clothes and equipment, while others are better at encouraging interpersonal connections and teamwork. Different institutions offer different perks for their student-athletes for various reasons, including but not limited to school size and NCAA level.
The best parts of being a student-athlete often come from the coach’s interactions with the players and how they motivate and inspire college students.
Lifelong Friendships with Teammates
In college, you can find the kind of people you’ll be best friends with for the rest of your life. The amount of camaraderie on collegiate sports teams is unparalleled.
In addition to being thrust into an instant peer group, which some could eliminate the need to fumble through the process of making new friends, student-athletes are also quickly set up to connect through team-building activities, contests, and travel.
When student-athletes aren’t in class, they usually hang out with their teams, where they can develop friendships and mutual respect with people who share their interests.
The ups and downs, the good times and the bad, the triumphs and the defeats that athletes face together are what forge the ties that last a lifetime.
Development of Work Ethics and Leadership Skills
College sports are a full-time commitment, so student-athletes must establish a strong work ethic to balance their academic and athletic responsibilities. But should college athletes be paid essays? Students will be more marketable to potential employers who are always looking for young adults who can juggle demanding academics with active participation in extracurricular activities. Student-athletes who participate in team sports develop qualities like leadership, self-discipline, and teamwork, which are marketable to future employers.
College athletics provides an ideal environment for students to learn how to compete as a team and build a mindset that prioritizes the team over individual success.
More opportunities to receive funding
Student-athletes can get academic and athletic scholarships, while other students only access merit scholarships at private and some public institutions.
Most NCAA student-athletes who receive scholarships receive only a portion of the available athletic aid. Therefore academic awards are prevalent for them as well.
Coaches appreciate their athletes receiving merit scholarships since they can provide them with a minor athletic award and save money.
Only at an NCAA Division 3 school would student-athletes not be eligible for athletic aid. Awards for athletic achievement are prohibited at the Division 3 level.
However, you might be able to get a full scholarship if you get recruited by a Division I college or institution. Half athletic scholarships are available at D2 and NAIA schools. Student-athletes are the only ones eligible to get athletic prizes.
Competing at the College Level Requires Specialized Training
It may seem apparent, but for an athlete, the greatest reward is the opportunity to regularly practice and compete at a high level with the guidance of experienced coaches.
The last game or meeting of the high school season is one of the most challenging times for the high school athlete who does not continue playing in a collegiate setting.
College athletics allow many students to pursue their athletic goals while also gaining a solid education.
Interventions and Tools for Health and Well-Being
It is very unusual for coaches to supply their players with regular workshops, private training, sports equipment, and even body treatments like ice baths and massages to help them achieve their goals.
Several schools even provide complimentary meals and snacks to ensure their athletes get the fuel they need to compete.
When an athlete has an injury, the coach acts as an advocate, making calls and scheduling appointments that would be difficult for a non-athlete to do on their own.
Insurance and workshops on mental health, sexual assault prevention, concussions, and more are available to NCAA athletes.
Conclusion
Being a student-athlete can be difficult at times, but the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages for many. There is little doubt that participating in collegiate athletics helps mold young people into productive citizens. It is your time to join!
About Author
John Marlow
John Marlow is a former college basketball player. He is also. He is a writer, and his works have been published in many great magazines.