"Powered by Tradition” is the well-known slogan of all athletic teams at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. What many people don't know, however, are all of the other various things it takes to power a student-athlete. Balancing classes, work, and athletics can be a very challenging task for college students, which is why only a select group of people can make it work. Here is an inside look at the lives of these dedicated individuals and what it takes to keep them going.

Whitewater is a Division III school, which means it is unable to award any grants or scholarship money for athletes. At Division I and II levels, athletes are paid to play their sport while balancing schoolwork and classes, but here at Whitewater, we play solely based on our love for the game. This is what makes our athletes so special.

In a survey given to UWW athletes, a member of the Men’s Baseball Team responded with, “Student-athletes at Whitewater are extremely dedicated. There’s always someone putting in the extra work or staying the extra ten minutes after practice. We pride ourselves on winning national championships at Whitewater; otherwise you go unnoticed.” While we do pride ourselves on winning national titles, we also take pride in all of the work we do to prepare for such opportunities.

Athletes at Whitewater are some of the most hard-working, dedicated individuals you will meet. Many people would never guess the amount of hours our athletes spend in the gym, training through strength and conditioning, in addition to the time they spend during practices and games. Haley Hintz, a sophomore on the Women’s Varsity Volleyball Team puts it this way, “Hard work and dedication in the weight room and during conditioning is valued as much as actually playing the sport.”

It is safe to say that many athletes spend up to 20 hours per week training to get better at their sport. Whether it is physically or mentally training themselves, the time dedicated to their sport is enough to qualify for a part-time job. Even when they are not in the gym, on the court, or the field, student-athletes show commitment to their sport by choosing to make healthy choices when it comes to the food and drinks they are putting into their bodies.

While the majority of campus is out partying on a Thursday night, you will find most student-athletes in bed preparing for an early morning at the gym. When it comes to alcohol consumption, sports teams at Whitewater are supposed to abide by the 24-48 hour rule; meaning that they are not to consume any alcohol within 24 hours of a scheduled practice or workout, or within 48 hours of a scheduled game or competition.

In a college atmosphere, abiding by this rule does take ultimate dedication and loyalty to one’s team. One main reason athletes are able to refrain from falling to peer pressure is the bond they share with their teammates and coaches.

When you are a student athlete, you have two real families. There is the family that you were born into and raised with, and there is your team. This is especially evident in the volleyball locker room where a special sign hangs that reads “Building a team, creating a family.” All team members don’t always get along all the time, but no matter what-- athletes can always count on their teammates to be there for them and have their backs. Your teammates are your brothers and sisters, and being a part of a team here at Whitewater is an amazing experience that creates a life-long bond with amazing people.

Though the workouts are tough, the pressure is high and the time commitment is vast, being a student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an incredible life experience that will never be forgotten by those who chose this way of life. The lessons students learn from being part of a team are invaluable, and in the end they are worth all of the pain, sweat, and tears.