Chris Townsend is a native of the nation’s capital, Washington D.C. He is a linebacker for the Prairie View A&M University football team and poses as the ideal definition of a student athlete; studying agronomy during his current sophomore year.
Townsend has been playing football since fifth grade and loves the game. He enjoys most however, the will power that football gives him and his teammates, he says, “When you go against an opponent you have to feel as though you want it and know that you’re going to tackle them and that you can own it. Football brings out your true character. It defines who you are.”
The life of a student athlete has many trials and tribulations which Townsend explained. His daily life consists of waking up at 5:30 a.m. for 6 a.m. workouts. After workouts Townsend goes to breakfast, every day. He say’s “our coaches stress to us the importance of eating 5-6 meals a day in an effort to gain more weight.”
Later Townsend heads to class and has lunch between classes. Evenings consist of 7 on 7 practices, team meetings, dinner, and homework.
“Life is really hectic; I have 18 hours under my belt,” says Townsend.
Student athletes in college juggle both school and the work that is required of them from the team they are a member of. Numerous student athletes on PVAMU’s campus complain that teachers should be more lenient in making up exams and turning in assignments, as their life drains them physically and mentally from the workouts, practice, school work, and traveling.
Yet Townsend holds an opposite opinion concerning this, “being a student athlete is a choice. Regardless of what I do I’m still a student and have to meet the expectations of the classroom.” A social life appears nearly impossible for student athletes but Townsend explains that the next to impossible can be achieved. “Whenever there is time, I can find a party. It’s not really that hard. I only party on the weekends because with more credit hours there is less time to hang out. After class and in class you socialize. There are so many places where I can socialize, especially with all the events held on campus.” Outside of football Townsend enjoys playing call of duty with friends, watching TV. and movies, and most importantly catching up on sleep, as his activities limit him to six to seven hours of sleep per night.
Regardless of the glory, the life of a student athlete is challenging, according to Townsend.
“The biggest thing is time management, balancing academics with athletics. Our coaches want us to give our all to the sport, but you have to remember that if grades aren’t high enough you can’t play and we all want to achieve high academics; no one wants to be average.” Townsend spends seven hours every week studying on his own and is not obligated to attend study hall with his teammates because he is balancing a 3.6 overall grade point average.
Overall, the student athlete life is possible, but it’s stressful. Townsend insisted on letting fellow students looking into being a student athlete know and current student athletes know this, “I want everyone to know that it’s not for everyone. A lot of people come and try out for teams but they can’t handle school and a sport. It’s only for people capable of being at the top of their game in the classroom and on the field.”