Being an NCAA athlete is one of the most memorable experiences I have had during my years at Christopher Newport. Not only did I have the opportunity to represent my university and wear my school name proudly, but it also gave me skills in leadership and time management that I could not have gotten anywhere else.
When first arriving at school, it is often nerve-racking as everyone scrambles to find friends. For me, my team wasn’t just an immediate group of friends but an immediate family. Being teammates is an unforgettable bond, and many of those teammates are people I know will be my close and dear friends for the rest of my life.
Being a student-athlete gave me the opportunity to continue building leadership skills. During practice I could lead by example with my focus and diligence as well as leading the new freshman classes each year. But, I also got to be a leader in academics, helping my fellow teammates balance schedules and succeed both on the track and in the classroom.
However, being an NCAA athlete does make the balancing act a bit more difficult. As a student-athlete, your only choice is to have superb time management skills, but in no way is it impossible. Gaining this skill is probably my favorite thing gained by continuing my athletic career into college. It has made me a better athlete and student.
I am incredibly thankful for the years I have gotten to spend representing Christopher Newport as an athlete. Our school reigns supreme in the Capital Athletic Conference in just about every sport, and I am forever grateful for the skills, lessons and friends that this opportunity has granted me.
