Beep, Beep, Beep. The bedside clock turns to 5:15am. In her head, she maps out the day’s schedule. Practice, religion, calculus, Barone, lifting and conditioning, write an English paper and study for a psychology exam. That’s the typical day of a Fairfield softball player, and very similar to any other student athlete at Fairfield.
Christie LaRusso, a freshman on the swim team, said it was impossible for her to take part in a work-study program on campus with her already busy schedule. (see sidebar “One Athlete’s Average Day”)
“If you don’t have a job where you can sit there and do your homework 80 percent of the time, it won’t fit into your schedule,” LaRusso said.
It’s not uncommon to have required double practice sessions a few times per week. In some cases practice times are at ludicrous times because there is lack of gym space during the day to accommodate all 21 varsity teams.
“We have to be in the Rec Plex at 5:30 am. It’s a sacrifice we make, but we knew a Division I program would be like this,” Laura Sandonato, a member of the softball team commented.
The baseball team practices at night from 10-12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“It’s definitely annoying, but our coach has no choice,” said pitcher Tom Maisano ’04. “Because everyone has different class schedules, it’s the only time we have a full squad at practice. It’s really to our benefit, I guess.”
The student athlete is responsible to balance classes and practice accordingly. Professors are given a list of game dates that will conflict with class times, but they are not excused for practice.
During a team’s season, it is allowed by NCAA regulations to practice a maximum of 20 hours per week plus traveling to and from games.
“If we travel on the weekends, some days we don’t return to campus until after midnight Sunday night. We still have to make it to our 8 a.m. class on Monday,” Sandonato remarked.
Mark Spellman, Fairfield’s strength and conditioning coach, works with each team in and out of its season. He believes that students choosing to continue athletic careers at any Division I school has to have a lot of personal dedication to the sport.
“They do have a time-pressing schedule, and I do expect them to show up to practice giving all of their effort to me,” Spellman said. “It is a lot of time, but it’s my no means unmanageable.”
This could place an incredible burden on incoming freshmen who are trying to become acclimated with college life.
“Having an athletic schedule added to a whole new life schedule made things a little more difficult,” LaRusso said. “There’s not much flexibility when you have to balance both athletics and academics. Almost everyday has a plan to it, and if you don’t follow it, you fall behind.”
According to academic coordinator Maryanne Palazzi, just 211 athletes received 3.0 or higher last semester. Fifty-seven of the athletes in the 3.0 club were freshmen. Coaches commented that the transition from high school to college is hard athletically, but the academic change is huge for freshmen.
“It’s crucial for freshmen to develop strong study habits,” said head softball coach Julie Brzensky. “The athletic center provides a quiet, controlled environment to study, and the study hours help freshmen get on the right track.”
Freshmen athletes are required by the athletic department to attend eight hours of study hall per week during their first semester in the Walsh Athletic Center and are monitored by a staff member.
However, LaRusso felt the use of the study hall was more of a hassle than a benefit.
“For me, I didn’t really feel that the mandatory study hall helped,” LaRusso said. “I knew when the most productive time was for me to study … at night … and I didn’t feel like walking there and back just to study.”
Women’s tennis captain Erin Reeves ’04 said being a member of varsity program has helped her better schedule her activities.
“It forces you to manage your time and try to get things done,” Reeves said.
One athlete’s average day
Christie LaRusso ’06 is a member of Fairfield’s swim team. This is an example of a typical day that she encounters:
- 7 a.m.: First practice of the day, followed by breakfast as quickly as she can so she can get back to her room for a nap. LaRusso says she would not be able to get through the rest of her day without the daily morning nap. After the nap, she goes to class until 2 or 3 p.m.
- 3-4:30 p.m.: Relax time that includes doing work or other extra things like cleaning, reading, keeping in touch with family and friends.
- 4:30 p.m.: Back to the pool for practice No. 2 of the day.
- 7:30 p.m.: A late dinner followed by more work and some television watching.
- Midnight: Finally time for bed, just to start over tomorrow!
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