In a world of college sports, the debate of what comes first, "student" or "athlete," has always been a point of conflict. While this may seem like a no-brainer for most people (as I would hope), the truth is that it is simply not for a lot of people and a lot of institutions. Who are the real student-athletes? What does a "real" student-athlete look like? And where can I find them? Maybe we should all take a look at liberal-arts schools.
These days, you have to wonder what classes that seven-foot center for Duke is taking (maybe that's just me). Nonetheless the question still stands. Balancing top-level academics with a competitive sports program is always a feat for most colleges and most students. In this regard, there is a lot to learn from liberal arts schools. Smaller schools means smaller student body, which means to field an athletic program, a greater percentage of students have to be student athletes. At Colby, the number floats around 60 percent. When you take a second to step back and think about this, it's actually pretty astounding. You can rest assured knowing that every other person you interact with is probably an athlete of some type.
Not to mention the academic prowess that lands athletes at Colby and other NESCAC. It is without a doubt a self-selecting process to chose to go to a small school in the middle of rural New England and plan on running cross country, playing lacrosse, or rowing in the below freezing weather. This fact, along with competitive admissions standards, makes it even more of a feat when you look back at it. But what is it that makes Colby student-athletes different?
This is, by no means, to say that the student-athletes at other institutions are any less qualified. It is just to highlight that there is something unique about the liberal arts sports experience that only few get to witness during their time in college. While the daily aches and pains of getting up before 6 a.m. to walk over to the athletic center in below freezing weather to lift when you have a French test at 9 a.m. and an Econ final later that night may be the same experience across many institutions (in fact, I know that it is), there is a unique purpose that student-athletes have at Colby. I believe it is an inherent understanding that the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts.
Student-Athletes at Colby know why they're here. They know that it is not going to be easy, but they also know that the payoff is worth every last drop of sweat. Coaches also know what they're getting into when they sign up at a school like Colby. They are becoming something greater than merely mentors of the sport. They are more along the lines of mentors of life and life skills that student-athletes will carry with them for the rest of their lives and pass on throughout generations.
The same can be said within the classroom. It is not too often that you find a place where you have to be on your game from the minute you step out of bed to the minute you step back in that night. Morning practices combined with small classes that force students to participate (even if they're half awake) is not your typical scenario. However, it is a powerful one that is ultimately empowering and enlightening. While it may not be so obvious while in the thick of it (as many alums have assured me) it is, undoubtably sacred.
So if you're wondering where some of the most profound student-athletes are lurking, you may be best served to look towards the NESCAC.
