By Shaun Springfield
Pulse Staff Reporter
Student athletes do it all. They go to work, attend to school, take care of their families and hit the occasional 3-point jump shot.
Its not easy at all, said Christian Rios, a freshman English major. Sports are very time consuming.
Christian plays a guard position on Palo Alto Colleges varsity mens basketball team.
Palo Alto College has quite a few of these gifted student athletes on campus. Many of them play on PACs extramural sports teams. Teams include mens and womens basketball and womens volleyball.
Athletes take on a hefty load. Many take 12 to 15 hours of classes each semester. Add in the full-time or part-time jobs that most students have, and the schedule becomes pretty tight. Throw in anywhere from six to 10 hours of sports practice and game time, and tight becomes overly crowded.
For many students, keeping everything together is all about balance. To succeed in the classroom, they need to put in the necessary study hours. Once thats taken care of, its off to the court to take care of business.
I think its good to be [participating] in something with the school, said Eddy Garza, a freshman Kinesiology major and a forward on the varsity mens basketball team. It helps you do better in classes, because if you dont pass you dont play.
Besides school and work schedules, the PAC teams have a lot riding on their seasons. The mens basketball team is defending a back-to-back South Texas Club Sports League title. The womens volleyball team has won six of the last seven STCSL titles. Womens basketball is working towards a title, as well. Palo Alto has a history of success, and these students are trying to make history of their own.
The coaches leading these teams know how hard their players work.
They have their studies, practice and some of them work, said Coach Ruben Calderon, the womens basketball and volleyball coach. His students have to put forth a lot of effort in not only the classroom but on the court as well.
At the end of the day, its all about self discipline, Calderon said.
While many student athletes juggle work and school with their chosen sport, others add an additional element into the mix: families.
Sophomore History Major Sean Spain is a guard on the varsity mens basketball team and a father. Spain took a year off from sports after entering Palo Alto. There was just no time. This year Spain has time, and he is making the most of it.
Members of the Palo Alto volleyball team hustle during practice to hit the ball. Later it will be time to hit the books.Photo courtesy of Recreational Sports.
For some students, it is just about playing for their school and the camaraderie that comes with it.
We have to not only take care of ourselves but each other, said Alyssa Flores, a freshman Education major. We have to make sure that everyone is on the same page.
Flores is the co-captain of the womens volleyball team. When shes not serving aces or spiking the ball for the win, shes working on her degree in Education. I want to be a coach someday, said Flores.
Other students have different goals in mind.
I love basketball, said Amber Guerrero, a freshman Nursing major. I want to play professionally, maybe in Europe.
Guerrero is the starting shooting guard for the womens basketball team. She is pushing her body to the limit on the court and pushing her mind off the court. Her message to other possible student athletes?
Dont slack off!
At the end of the day, making the grade does not only mean there is a check mark in the W column, it also means one in the A column.
School is my number one priority, said Rios. At the same time, I dont want to neglect the game I love.
This is the fine line that many college athletes find themselves balanced on: the desire to succeed in the classroom pushing against the desire to succeed on the court. With the season at a halfway point, the inner fight will only get stronger.
For students wishing to join one of PACs extramural sports teams, the requirements are simple: Just try out!
Tryouts are held at the beginning of each semester. If you are selected for a team, the next step is your evaluation. You must be enrolled in six hours of classes, possess a 2.0 GPA or better, and be in good standing with the college. If you meet those requirements, you are in. Welcome to the Palominos.
Students seeking additional information may contact Leandro Esparza in the Recreational Sports Office, Room 101C in the Gym, (210) 486-3135, or e-mail him.