Juggling Sports and school

 

For many college athletes, playing a sport began as a fun pastime and turned into a passion. The lucky few who took that passion to the next level face the challenge of balancing sports and academics.

In collegiate sports, social time is very limited. Most athletes spend the majority of their free time with other athletes. Some athletes get overwhelmed and can’t handle the dedication it takes to play a college sport, but for some, the challenge is all worthwhile.

One student athlete who finds the challenge worthwhile is second year baseball pitcher, Andrew Virgili, 19, a sports medicine major. “I have been playing baseball for 16 years,” said Virgili. “It’s a lot of time and effort, but I do what I love.”

Andrew’s typical day consists of five courses and practice, unless it’s game day.

HCC’s baseball team usually has two to three games a week, lasting as long as two and a half to three hours. Finding time for schoolwork is quite a challenge. “I just do what I need to do for school before practice,” said Virgili.

“I do what I want to do after practice.”

According to Virgili, it’s very tough to do everything with his friends that he would like. He tries his best to make as much time for himself as he can during the season.

Virgili has three roommates that are also on the baseball team. “We work together to get schoolwork done so we can still have time for college life,” said Virgili. “All of our majors are similar if not the same.”

My roommates and I try and take most of the same classes so we can help each other out, said Virgili.

“I don’t ever try and take the easy way out,” said Virgili. “I try and take courses I feel I’ll be comfortable taking and courses that will benefit me in the long run.”

Virgili, received an HCC baseball scholarship during his senior year of high school. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, Virgili must be enrolled in 12 credit hours and maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Lindsey Cook, 20, a business major, has been friends with Virgili for the past four years and spends time with him when he’s not busy with baseball.  Cook attends most of the games to cheer on the team.

“Honestly, I don’t know how he does it and doesn’t ever stress out,” said Cook

Andrew is an incredible athlete.” “He really has a natural talent when it comes to playing baseball.”