Hear what these SCAD students have to say about being a student athlete

At SCAD, there are a number of athletic teams offered for students to be involved in. Bowling, tennis, fencing, cycling, cross country, golf and track and field: SCAD’s student athletes work quite hard to not only keep up with their sporting activities, but also their school work.

After interviewing student athletes on their sports and academic lives, here are their responses.

What sport do you play and how long have you been playing for?

Rubin Howard, a second-year film and television student, replied that he has been playing tennis since he was four. “My entire family plays, and my mom has been my tennis coach until I came to SCAD,” he says.

Yana Andreeneko, a second-year advertising student stated that she is a on the fencing team. “I have been fencing since I was nine, so it’s been 10 years.”

Alan Toleu, a second-year user experience design student replied that he is “a professional tennis player.” He has been playing the sport for 15 years.

What’s it like balancing the life of a student and an athlete at the same time?

Howard responded, “Balancing school and tennis is a difficult task, but it is very rewarding because it not only keeps me healthy but it also allows me another purpose aside from my academic goals.”

Andreeneko stated that “it’s all about time management, self-discipline and your will to work hard.” She mentioned that balancing her academics and sports life is something that must be learned, as it may seem “crazy and super hard,” but says you start to figure out how to manage these specific issues and it eventually doesn’t become as complicated as it once was.

Toleu replied, “The time commitment which is required by sports can cause a lot of issues when it comes to studies. My schedule forces me to be more organized, responsible and focused on my academics. Because I spend so much time on tennis, I have to manage my projects, days or sometimes weeks in advance.” He goes on to mention that he feels as though he wouldn’t have been an organized and prepared person if he didn’t have tennis in his life.

How has playing a sport at SCAD affected you?

According to Howard, “Playing a sport has taught me time management and how to manage a student athlete life. Pushing through, the sport has allowed me and taught me to persevere through difficulties and to help clearly see the future that I want.”

Andreeneko replied, “Doing fencing at SCAD gave me the opportunity to combine two fields of interests in my life — my athletic career and advertising.” She said that, “In both fields, I find myself in an environment of talented, hardworking people who want to succeed and be professionals in their fields, which makes me put even more effort into my work. “

“Participating in a college sport helped me get a good work ethic by balancing my time between the hours of practice, classes and staying on top of my academics,” says Toleu. “I learnt leadership skills, teamwork skills and of course time management. SCAD gave me a community – my team.” He credits his fellow tennis teammates as they were a “very helpful foothold” when transitioning “to an unfamiliar environment.”

What words of advice or encouragement would you give to other students who are thinking about becoming student athletes?

Toleu thoughtfully responded, “First, practice your time management. Treat your life as a full-time job and make sure to put in the time for your classes. Secondly, communicate. Develop great communication skills with your coaches, teammates and professors. For example, if you have to miss a class or a workout, notify the relevant people to let them know. They do appreciate it, so get into the habit early and it will pay off in the future. Lastly, learn from your mistakes and failures. Don’t let them affect your goals and spirit. Find an opportunity in them and then move on, wiser and stronger than before.”

Andreeneko stated that being a student athlete may be “one of the toughest times of [your] life. You have to be sure you will be able to do it. It’s important to understand for yourself why you do what you do, what you want to get from it and where it will take you. Your willing to work is the key.”

Lastly, Howard reflectively replied, “Be appreciative of the opportunity that you have to represent your school. It is a rare opportunity and a life goal or accomplishment that many younger athletes dream of. Work hard, play harder, because hard work pays off.”

For more information on the athletic teams at SCAD, visit their website here.