Beyond the Game: The Student-Athlete Experience

Reported by Audrey Grice

Photo by Allison Martinet

While most George Fox University (GFU) students juggle classes, friendships, sleep, and extracurricular activities, student-athletes must also manage the added pressure of sports. Balancing academics with a demanding athletic schedule requires sacrifices, but the sense of community built within these teams is invaluable.

“It’s a lot of time management. It’s a lot of trial and error, communication with your professors, making sure that when you do have time, you’re using it wisely,” said junior softball player Jordyn Relethford. “And yeah, you do have to make some sacrifices, but honestly, it’s all worth it.”

Relethford is beginning her first season with the GFU softball team. During the fall and winter, she practiced one to three times a week, but as the season progresses, she now spends 16 to 18 hours per week at practice, plus additional weight training. After transferring from a community college, Relethford has found the increased athletic commitment challenging, especially while taking 18 academic credits.

“School obviously comes first,” she said. “I was used to prioritizing softball because my classes at [community college] were easier and less rigorous. So I had to figure out how to shift that to be more balanced instead of being so sports-heavy all the time.”

Relethford uses a calendar to plan her tasks to stay organized, but she has had to give up hobbies and extracurricular activities to make time for softball. Despite the challenges, she values the sense of camaraderie on the team.

“It’s really fun to see your teammates all over campus. When you pass by, you always have someone to say hi to. It gives you built-in friendships and connections,” she said.

Senior soccer player Carly Garberding shares a similar experience.

“The people I’ve met through playing the sport, or even just being in the atmosphere, are people I wouldn’t have crossed paths with otherwise,” she said.

Garberding has played on the GFU women’s soccer team for the past four years and has established a rhythm in her schedule. In the fall, which is in-season for women’s soccer, she takes 12 credits and avoids classes requiring extensive lab work. She estimates she dedicates 36-40 hours weekly to soccer between practices and games.

“The mentality is: in the fall, soccer comes first, then you’re a student. In the spring, you’re a student who also happens to play a sport,” Garberding said.

The social aspect of college is another challenge for student-athletes. As a freshman, Garberding missed a major-specific retreat because of a game, only to spend most of the match on the sidelines.

“There’s this gap where you’re living life, but you’re also a soccer player and a student, and it can be difficult to balance,” she said. “As a human, I need friends and social experiences, but my schedule doesn’t always allow for it.”

She compared the experience to a gradual chipping away at her time and energy.

“You don’t realize it until you’re out. I had to use every free minute in the studio or on the field just to make sure I was meeting expectations,” she said.

Despite the difficulties, Relethford and Garberding agree that the experience is worth it.

“It’s not like I didn’t enjoy my time,” Garberding said. “I’m playing because I love the sport. It was always my decision.”

Relethford echoed the sentiment.

“It is so much fun and probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” she said.