What is a Student-Athlete?

Sport is one of the most popular extracurricular activities in the world. It provides individuals with
the opportunity to compete, form lasting relationships, develop leadership and time management
skills and strengthen work ethic. No matter what level one competes at, sport participation and
training can take up a significant amount of time from a student’s life.

How does one define the term “Student-Athlete”?
Essentially, a student-athlete is a full-time or part-time student of a university or college who also
participates in an organized and competitive athletic program. Their responsibility primarily
revolves around attending rigorous training and practices, abiding by the university’s policies,
displaying good sportsmanship, all while maintaining academic attendance and record.

The Role of a Student-Athlete
In addition to attending classes, studying and sitting for examinations, student-athletes have
responsibilities that can include:

• Attending their scheduled practice sessions, which can typically be around or over 15 hours
  per week depending on the demands of their sport;
• Maintaining a minimum attendance record to remain eligible for examination/promotion;
• Training when classes are not in session;
• Representing their country in international competitions.

Even though the life of a student-athlete may seem tough and intimidating at times, the
experiences, memories, skills and relationships that one gains surely last forever. After all, one can
only compete in sport for a relatively short period of time, so why not make the most of it?