There’s more to being a Division I student-athlete than just playing sports. There’s attempting to balance the rigors of athletic demands with a tough academic curriculum and having a semblance of a social life, as Jonathan Lewis says in this in
At this moment I am taking a study break to write this article. I am in the middle of a nine-hour bus ride back to Stony Brook from Maine, where we just took two out of three from the conference favorite Black Bears.
This upcoming week is finals week and if I want to continue to do well as a student-athlete, time management is key.
To me, tests are more stressful than baseball games. You can perform poorly on the mound and then come back and pitch a gem the next week.
If you fail your finals, you risk not getting credit for a class, failing grades, ruining your transcript and becoming academically ineligible.
I take pride in doing well in class and I don’t think my parents would be too happy with my failing everything, either. Besides, if I’m not eligible, I don’t think scouts will find me while having a catch with my dad in my driveway.
I haven’t really discussed school yet — I’ve been caught up in baseball mode and writing about the team and our season. Being a student-athlete is no easy task.
It’s very difficult trying to find time for studies and do well in class — not just get by. Then throw in the on-campus activities, practice, mental preparation for games and games.
I also take a half hour each night and go over my pitching mechanics in the mirror. These mechanics are the key to my success on game day.
I have now won two games in a row; I guess you could call this a winning streak. I beat the Maine Black Bears 3-1 this past weekend, the third weekend in a row I have allowed only one run.
My confidence is high, and I feel good. The Black Bears are usually the best team in the America East, and I struck out eight without any walks.
The key is throwing good strikes, and I feel that I had my good stuff this weekend. Instead of just throwing the ball, I actually pitched this weekend and with confidence. In the last two weeks I had 21 strikeouts and no walks.
With the draft only weeks away, I am hoping that my record (now 4-6) will not overshadow the fact that I can get the job done.
Soon finals will be over. I look forward to passing my tests and concentrating on the next couple of weekends. I feel that our team can make a strong run at the playoffs.
I am promising myself that I will give these tests my best, and then I will give the rest of my season everything I have.
Oh, and I wanted to wish my mother, Kathy Lewis, a belated Happy Mother’s Day. I love you, mom.
