Dating a D1 student athlete is one of the best and one of the hardest things to do in college. Here's why:
1. They’re loyal.
They’ve most likely been part of a team since they were little, so they have had teammates they relied upon and supported. They’ve learned the importance of that constant support, and they will bring that into your relationship. They already have practiced the skills necessary to have someone’s back, fight through adversity, and stick with it no matter what. But…
2. You have to share them.
Because they’re so dedicated to the team they’re on, you have to learn to let them have the freedom to be with that team. With their team, they have faced common enemies both in victory and defeat. They’ve struggled through grueling workouts and celebrated their biggest moments. While you can never replace that, they will want you to be as much a part of it as possible...but also provide respite for when they need some time away from it all. Because...
3. They’re hardworking.
Being a college student is tough enough, add in the extra hours of practicing, team meetings, early-morning lifts and runs, on top of the actual games, and you can only succeed by putting in the extra work. They understand that nothing good comes without the effort and will bring that into relationships. They will put energy into the relationship and spend time working to make you happy. But…
4. Their time isn’t theirs.
For those four (or five) years that they’re on a college team, they don’t really run their lives. The coaches (and basically everyone in the Athletic Dept.) has the ability to tell them where to go and when to be there. Early-morning team meeting? Late-night lift? Attending another team’s game? They’ll be there. It requires tons of sympathetic understanding and a tough skin on your part. Just because they had to miss your birthday, doesn’t mean they didn’t want to be there. Many of their choices aren’t theirs to make and require you to be flexible as well. But it all pays off because…
5. Watching them win is the best feeling there is.
Whether or not you go to the same school, you now have a team you will always root for. You might not have known anything about the sport or the school before you began dating them, but now you could be a commentator on ESPN (at least when they’re playing). Watching their team crush their opponents, win huge games, and make massive plays is one of the most exciting things to do. You know they deserved the win after how hard they worked and how happy they’re going to be because of it. However…
6. Watching them lose is the worst.
Life isn’t all victories, and few teams can go an entire season undefeated. It’s difficult and heart-breaking to see their team lose, especially during a big game. After these games, it’s hard to know whether you should be there for them or leave them alone, commiserate or distract them. Losing is never fun and not always easy to deal with, and as hard as it is for you, it’s 10x harder for them. This is one of those times where you need to take a back seat to what they need and want to support them and let them know you’re there, because through it all…
7. It’s worth it.
They might not be the easiest person to date, but it’s one fun, crazy ride. There are a few more obstacles than dating a “normal” college student that require you to step up your game, but it’s worth a shot. And who knows, you might just score.
