Student Athlete Perseveres Through College Career By J1 Reporter Mallory Connealy College athletics is truly a test of determination. The expectation of consistent hard work, performance and improvement creates a high stress environment for student athletes. While competing against extreme opponents, players are not only worried about their performance on the field but also within their academic studies. Teresa DeGeorge exemplified these necessary qualities required of a student athlete after graduating from Marian and while playing for Creightons women’s soccer team in the 1990s. When DeGeorge began her academic and athletic career at Creighton University, she couldn’t rely on her usual support system of her family. She had to explore and gain new relationships to substitute for her family’s supportive efforts.“It was extremely difficult to find people to talk to about my struggles with the team and failed attempts at balancing the important aspects of my life while at college,” DeGeorge said. The mental health
of college athletes often becomes a sacrifice made by players in an attempt to excel at different aspects of their careers. DeGeorge was able to find a sports psychologist to confide in which was beneficial to her ability to
show up and bring a good attitude and a hunger for competition. The rigorous schedules of college athletes is truly a tug-a-war between classes and training. Trading off between studying for challenging
a college team. She said, “You spend all of your time with these people. The thrill of winning and the agony of defeat was all done together.” The importance of team comradery in college is vital to the team success. There are low moments and high moments on the team. Each person is working through their own problems so by coming together as a team instead of a group of individuals changes the outcome completely. One learning experience that DeGeorge shared was when she was confronted with a choice between her studies and her team’s betterment. After playing against a team in Chicago she was forced to make a choice between studying for a big nursing test or going out with the team and celebrating. In the moment, DeGeorge wished she would have gone out with the team but looking back she says,” it was a necessary sacrifice that aided my future career in completing nursing school and eventually graduating
“If you have the determination, grit and perseverence then the opportunities for student athletes are endless.” -Coach Teresa DeGeorge
adapt to the new environment. The biggest difference between athletics at the high school versus the collegiate level is the time commitment. DeGeroge said, “for me it wasn’t just about the sport, it was about the discipline.” As committed players, you are always expected to 8
classes and conditioning to sustain endurance, a new challenge arises every single day and student athletes are expected to overcome each obstacle that stands in their way to success in the classroom and as well as the field. DeGeorge also commented on the culture of
