College Athlete ---Job Or Fun ??

When you as a college athlete finish the recruiting period, and sign with an institution do you view your signing as a job or doing it for fun ?? College parents can give their view also...

Guru

 

You can tell guru is back!!! he always posts questions he already knows the answer to.. sort of like cross examination in the courtroom!

this depends on where you attend college and what type of coach you play for but one of the general premises is life is that when someone pays you money for a good or service they expect to get fair value in return!

 

Only have perspective of what I have seen...

being around the Wingate program, but it looks like to me the kids sign on for a JOB, while they enjoy the sport they are playing, and the real fun comes in the down time with your teamates where you hang out, go out, go on various activities.

It is 20-30+ hours min per week with only on true day off. Sounds like a JOB to me. And coach is the BOSS for sure!

Just an outsiders view...

 

While I know this is a softball thread, I played college baseball and I would have to say that it is a job. You wake up at 5 30 am 3-4 days a week to lift, then go to class til probably 1 or so then practice from 3-6 go eat then go to conditioning or lifting again. So I would say that yes I did love playing ball but when I got to college that it turned into a job and I am not sure if to many kids these days realize that.

 

Agree

good post from someone "who has been there done that", the college is giving you something for what you are giving them, therefore both parties benefit, correct? Kind of a bailment or contractual arrangement that provides both sides with benefits that will continue as long as performance meets minimum standards. It is a job, much like work study, etc but better as you are playing a sport you love, correct? Now in many cases, the college provides more than just scholarship money,such as tutoring, monitored study halls, great conditioning, and free travel to some awesome locations, as well as bonding with teammates and a positive addition to a resume. Down side, just like all other jobs, some get paid a great deal more than others and there are hours of work to do! LOL

 

I'll go one step further. It's not for fun (well you have to enjoy it) and it's not a job....it's LIFE. Everything revolves around it. Workouts, class, team practice, study hall, individual workout, study hall, individual practice, study hall, sleep. MOST people only work 8 hrs. a day, sounds like 10-12 for these young ladies. To me there is no busier person than a D1 student athlete. I know i couldn't do it lol.

 

Passion for the game

I have always told my players that they really need to truly be in love with the sport and have a true passion for the game in order to play in college, otherwise they will look at it as a job. I played this game in college and loved every minute I spent with my teammates and coach, even through the rough times.

I love the game of softball so much that I don't look at it as a job. I work 9-5 at a job to put my kids through college and can't wait to get to the ballfield for practices or to the weekend long tournaments where I coach. Coaching is probably considered a job, but when you love the game as much as I do, I hate to go home at the end of the day(end of practice or end of a tournament). Softball is actually my sanity release at the end of a workday.

 

It is definitely a job with some great benefits. I don't think that I will ever enjoy a job as much as I have enjoyed playing collegiate softball. There is nothing like winning the championship to make all the pain from previous workouts worth it. The payoffs from working so hard are amazing.

I signed knowing it was going to be hard work, but it has been worth it and a lot of fun, too.

 

Job & Fun

Both - for sure.

 

Well Put .... I would have to agree with Throwingheat on this subject !!!!!!!