2008 Woodie Awards
Long hours and dedicated athletes offer a promising season
Meghan Spivey
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Sports
A source of pride for Guilford College is how we handle athletics. In a school that favors equality, it is stressed that athletes are not given special treatment. They do not get athletic scholarships or special consideration. As a result, the athletes we do have are dedicated individuals motivated by a love of their sport. They'd have to be; because it takes a truly dedicated individual to handle the workload many athletes must keep.
Emanuel Sargeant, a senior and member of the men's lacrosse team, estimates that he and his teammates dedicate roughly 15 hours to their sport during a normal week. The last two weeks have not had the normal two-and-a-half-hour-long practices Tuesday through Friday. Instead, Sargeant and his teammates have had to double their work with two-a-day practices to prepare for their upcoming season.
"We had to be in the gym at 6:30 in the morning for practice. I tried to come as late as I could!" Sargeant said. "We'd run suicides and different drills. The morning classes afterwards are the hardest, because you're pretty much dead. Then you have practice from 4:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon. Then you do it again the next day."
Sargeant balances an impressive 20 credit schedule and works in the Security Bubble on top of his athletic contributions. Many athletes manage similar schedules as full-time students and follow other pursuits like jobs and clubs.
"We still have to go to class. We have the same amount of work without exception. We have the same papers and deadlines. Then add sports in with that. It really takes its toll on you," said sophomore Jared Davis, a pitcher on the baseball team.
Senior tennis player Caitlin Mayton is a Bonner Scholar, volunteering 140 hours per semester, and is expected to be involved in the community with different groups and meetings on campus.
"You have to have your own dedication," said Phillip Drew, a senior and a captain of the baseball team. In addition to three-and-a-half-hour practices six times a week and three to four games a week, Drew lifts weights and practices hitting on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In all, he estimates dedicating 40 hours a week to baseball.
Emanuel Sargeant, a senior and member of the men's lacrosse team, estimates that he and his teammates dedicate roughly 15 hours to their sport during a normal week. The last two weeks have not had the normal two-and-a-half-hour-long practices Tuesday through Friday. Instead, Sargeant and his teammates have had to double their work with two-a-day practices to prepare for their upcoming season.
"We had to be in the gym at 6:30 in the morning for practice. I tried to come as late as I could!" Sargeant said. "We'd run suicides and different drills. The morning classes afterwards are the hardest, because you're pretty much dead. Then you have practice from 4:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon. Then you do it again the next day."
Sargeant balances an impressive 20 credit schedule and works in the Security Bubble on top of his athletic contributions. Many athletes manage similar schedules as full-time students and follow other pursuits like jobs and clubs.
"We still have to go to class. We have the same amount of work without exception. We have the same papers and deadlines. Then add sports in with that. It really takes its toll on you," said sophomore Jared Davis, a pitcher on the baseball team.
Senior tennis player Caitlin Mayton is a Bonner Scholar, volunteering 140 hours per semester, and is expected to be involved in the community with different groups and meetings on campus.
"You have to have your own dedication," said Phillip Drew, a senior and a captain of the baseball team. In addition to three-and-a-half-hour practices six times a week and three to four games a week, Drew lifts weights and practices hitting on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In all, he estimates dedicating 40 hours a week to baseball.
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