Again, I wanted to take the time to praise God for our success.
I've had a lot of time to meditate on the nationwide question of whose fault it is that athletes are known for not learning anything during college. I have started a couple arguments on Twitter about the topic (@Dreams_Grind). This is an opinionated answer but everything outside the game of football lies on the shoulders of the athlete and their parents. Everything that is included in academics, job placement, post-college, and off-the-field issues. This is all on the student athlete and his/her guardian. The reason you see college coaches get involved in the first place is because the athlete is a representation of the university once they put on a jersey. So the college will do everything in its power to protect its image. The college coaches are going to do their job regardless of whether the athlete is successful or not because it’s their job, their livelihood, how they feed their family. They are going to make sure that the kid is ready for game days and that’s all they are responsible for. For 18 years, the parent's job is to train that kid to be ready for the world. The parent is responsible for the child's work ethic, environment, and friends. The child is just a spitting image of what the parent allows. It’s not the university’s job. Or, for that matter, the NCAA's job.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way that he should go. When he is old, he will not depart from it.
Our athletes should hit the ground running at college. The common misconception is that the athlete will be able to squeak by in college just as they did during high school. Everybody taking it easy on you because you’re in college. It’s actually the opposite. At Guilford, I had to prove myself more than the average student because I was a football player. I had to do a little extra to show that I was a legit student as well as an athlete. As you know, I almost failed out of college my freshman year, so it wasn’t easy. The study habits have to be installed during years prior to college. If the kid doesn't have study habits, college will be difficult. This is where we get the conversations such as the ones we're having with UNC Chapel Hill. The university has made a way for athletes to get a pass if they can’t quite grasp the college learning environment. The college starts to make a way for them to slide under the table academically to make sure they are eligible athletically. This is when our athletes begin to loose. We should be held to the same standards as everyone else.
Some people can learn this work ethic during college. I was one of them that picked these skills up on the way. Everyone isn't as fortunate. I've seen my friends fall victim to the college lifestyle of balancing fun, school, and sports. Let me tell you a little about a normal day of mine.
In season:
7:30am - Wake Up
8:30am - Class
10:00am - Class
11:30am - Physical Therapy
12:00pm - Lunch
1:00pm - Homework
3:00pm - 6:30pm Practice
7:00pm - Work Study (Library Admin)
11:00pm - Business Research
12:30 - Push-ups, Abs, Stretch, Read the Bible
1:00am - Sleep
Off Season:
6:30am - Wake up
7:00am - Team Lift/Runs
8:30am - Business Research
10:00am - Class
11:30am - Lunch
12:00pm - Homework
1:00pm - Class
3:00pm - Internship
6:00pm - Workout
8:00pm - Work Study (Library Admin)
11:00pm - Business Research/Homework
1:00pm - Push-ups, Abs, Stretch, Read the Bible
1:30am - Sleep
Yeah, I'm a nerd, I know, but that's my reality. I don't know what you think college is about but I take my other 40% outside of football and make them productive. I've made the dean's list, had three internships, and managed to start all 10 games last year for Guilford.
However, this work ethic was learned. I did not come into college like this. I just understand my goals and I put my time toward them. I believe that every hour of work you put in will produce an hour of reward. Wherever you choose to put that hour, something in your life will increase because of it. Something. I put away my childish lifestyle when I almost failed out of school. That's where excessive Instagram and Twitter will get you. Each night staying up late, having NCAA tournaments. Partying each night of the weekend. However, right now, at this very moment, I am a product of that work schedule I stuck with through my junior year of college. I grinded for the platform that I have right now. I plan to work my way to my dreams. I just want to show you all how to reach yours.
Enjoy,
- Janesh
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