For college athletes, balancing sports and academics is a challenge. However, by adding Greek life to the schedule, the athletes face an entirely new ballgame. 

The University of Alabama is home to a number of National Championships in an array of sports. Behind these many successes are student athletes that rise above. Athletes that are everyday students are held to a higher standard in the classroom, in the gym and on the field. Time management is a tool which a number of college students struggle to master. However, it's harder to fathom adding items such as assigned morning workouts, swaps, practice, games and chapter to a full schedule of classes. 

For former UA Kicker and Sigma Alpha Epsilon brother, Cade Foster, said juggling a fraternity and football was the best way to spend his time at The Capstone. After games on Saturdays, Foster would stop by the fraternity house to celebrate many victories with his brothers. During the week, he learned to be responsible with his time and better his time management skills through prioritizing- especially his freshman year.  

“My first year as a SAE differed from my brothers in that they spent more time at the house and I spent more time at the Football Complex," said Foster. "My brothers were understanding that I didn’t have much free time, but I always enjoyed hanging with them as time permitted." 

A brotherhood of teammates and a brotherhood of fraternity brothers are two of the main things Foster benefitted from while leaving a legacy on campus. Being involved in both aspects of campus allowed him to build relationships and friendships that he would not have formed with Greek life.  

“I wouldn’t trade my time at SAE for anything," said Foster. "My brothers helped me through difficult times. And they helped me to rise above. I also landed an awesome catch from Phi Mu, whom I am now in love with."  

Lauren Collins, a defensive player for the Women’s Soccer Team and a Chi Omega, has learned how to govern her time wisely through the practice of responsibility. She manages being involved on campus beyond Greek life and athletics. However, she recognizes that her academics are her main obligation as a college student, and with eight hours a week of soccer practice, she must pick and choose. 

“It is difficult to stay involved in Greek life because soccer is so demanding," said Collins. "Soccer has to have priority over everything else besides academics, so I miss a lot of things that Chi O is involved with." 

The misconception that the athletic community and Greek community are not intertwining is proving to be more and more false as student athletes continue to become affiliated with a Greek organization. Although they are the minority, almost every sport at UA has a representative of the Greek community on their respective rosters.    

“There are actually more athletes than I thought that are involved in Greek life," said Collins. "There are four soccer players in sororities, and I know of several baseball players that are in fraternities. I'm sure there are even more." 

Although having a time schedule that is being pulled in every direction is stressful and wearing on students, Collins and Foster had the mindset to make the most of their time on campus by taking advantage of the many opportunities The University of Alabama supplies. Their contributions to a brotherhood, sisterhood and success of the athletic program are a small vision of what a rewarding career on campus could look like.  

“It’s nice to be involved in both because they are both 'get aways' from each other," said Collins. "If one thing isn't going well, I can always go to the other group of people to talk to and hang out with. It really is the best of both worlds."