Have you ever dated a college athlete before? Well neither had I, until now, and let me tell you, it's a lot different than dating an average joe. I am a classified NARP (non-athletic regular person) around campus here at ORU, so dating an athlete is like dating a whole other species. With their busy schedules, healthy eating habits, and athletic ability, you learn things about this type of relationship you have never known before. Here are 11 lessons I've learned dating a college athlete as a NARP.
1. They will eat healthier than you.
No cookies, cake, pizza or cheeseburgers for these guys. You're lucky if you get a date night where they'll eat something other than spinach. It's almost like they don't enjoy anything other than healthy food. Who are these people?
2. They will go to bed and wake up earlier than you.
D1 athletes are on a TIGHT sleeping schedule. Be prepared to say goodnight to them around 10:00, and that’s if you’re lucky. Don’t ask them to stay up for you. Just put them to bed, trust me. If you love them, let them sleep.
3. They will persuade you to work out, even when you really don’t want to.
Hey, let’s be honest. You kind of enjoyed doing it. You don’t have that extra roll on your stomach anymore!
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4. They don’t understand the words, “I can’t.”
O.K., technically athletes do understand those words, but they refuse to fall to anything less than their best. Even when you think you’ve reached your limit, they will push you further and harder.
5. They will expect you to be at every one of their home games, as you should.
You are their biggest fan, and they love to see your support. Even if that means embarrassing them from the crowd every now and then. It humbles them.
6. They will probably be mentally stronger than you.
Athletes have been trained physically, but more mentally if anything else. It takes a strong mind to resist that pepperoni pizza. (On second thought, it’s O.K. if they’re mentally stronger! More pizza for you!)
7. You will know all the athletes at your school.
Athletes create strong bonds with their teammates. Once you start dating an athlete, chances are you are going to come to know a lot of the athletes on the team. They may even become some of your closest friends.
8. They will be out of town a good majority of the semester. And you HAVE to be okay with it.
Honestly, it sucks when they go away so frequently, but this is a great chance to have a girls/guys night instead! You can’t do anything about their schedule, so make the best of it!
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9. They will turn anything into a competition.
Anything, and I mean anything, is a competition to them. It’s in their blood. Us non-athletes don’t understand why everything has to be this way, but it makes the victory even sweeter when we (by the grace of God) actually beat them in something.
10. You probably won’t see them in anything else but sweats, most of the time.
Since they have such a rigorous practice schedule, most of the time athletes will just be sporting the sweatpants look. But that’s all right, it just means you can wear sweatpants all time too!
11. They make it so worth it.
Somehow, through all the support, tears, wins, and losses, you come to cultivate a special type of relationship. Athletes are some of the most loyal and dedicated people you will ever meet. Even though you may be very different, and it will get hard sometimes, this is a bond you do not want to give up on.
