From Freshman to Finish Line: How College Basketball Prepared Me for Real-World Success

Ever since I was five years old basketball has not only been a sport to me; it has been a passion, a teacher and a way of life. I knew I wanted to play collegiate basketball following my freshman year of high school. I fell in love with the game, and my parents always told me to be smart and use it to get an education. Being recruited as a member on Immaculata’s men’s basketball team and having the opportunity to receive a communications degree sounded like the right path for me to follow.

Embracing the label of student-athlete symbolizes a lot more than just participating in college basketball. The student-athlete experience represents a dedication to discipline, time management and numerous leadership skills. The path of being a student-athlete offered me the opportunity to grow and excel in the game I love, while preparing me for a successful future beyond the game of basketball.

I was never a leader in high school, but when I arrived at Immaculata, I had to learn to lead by example. From the moment I stepped on campus, upperclassmen were always leading by example. From organizing team pick-up games in the summer to helping me adjust to a new environment. As upperclassmen, it is our job to lead the younger guys. By sharing my personal experiences through college with the underclassmen, I provided them with knowledge on how to navigate through college and work towards their future goals with greater clarity and purpose.

I gained a ton of experience as a leader during my time as a student-athlete. Additionally, as a senior, I was invited to serve on the student-athlete advisory committee as the men’s basketball representative. The committee advocates for student-athletes, promotes opportunities for them and protects their well-being. This experience further developed my leadership skills as I coordinated various charitable events such as shopping for Christmas gifts for local children and volunteering with the men’s basketball team in the local community. Immaculata has done so much for me that I feel it is only right that I try to give back to the community through volunteerism. I plan to continue volunteering after graduation.

Another valuable skill I learned as a student-athlete is accountability. Accountability is the framework that builds championship teams, and it has taught me the simple act of owning up to my mistakes. Every pass, shot and point scored is a pledge to my teammates, coaches and the game itself. As a former guard on the men’s basketball team, the coach holds all the players to the same level of accountability, and everyone on the team needs to be accountable for their actions for the team to be successful. Accountability will allow me to face obstacles head on and build trust and reliability with co-workers in my future endeavors.

Having been a student-athlete, I realized how important time management was to be able to juggle my responsibilities of navigating through a busy schedule on the court and in the classroom. I needed to give myself time to complete assignments on time, while practicing for three to four hours a day. Having a consistent routine everyday assured that I had time to complete all my schoolwork after practices, mandatory weight training and a marketing and communications internship. Time management skills have allowed me to efficiently prioritize tasks, so that I meet deadlines. Together, time management, leadership and accountability skills have given me a foundation for success in life after college.

A 2022 article from Forbes says, “Student athletes who leave college and don’t enter the professional world of sports can make great additions to a company’s team.” The skills I’ve learned can easily transfer into a workplace with just a little adjustment. The journey through being a student-athlete holds value in my personal and professional growth, setting the stage for the next exciting chapter, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in communications this May. Earning my degree brings me immense excitement and a sense of achievement as I will be the first person to graduate from college in my family.

I am so glad I decided to attend college and I can’t believe graduation is around the corner.