Most college students have a difficult time balancing academics, social life, extra curricular activities and sleep. It is manageable, but it is not easy. For DU’s student-athletes, managing all of this is a very strict and delicate balancing act and being a Division-One athlete requires a type of discipline unlike any other, and the typical in-season day leaves very little room for free time.

Pioneer sophomore swimmer Ben Severino’s daily schedule can attest to this truth.

“On a typical day in-season, I wake up at 5:30 a.m. and I have practice from 6-7:30 a.m. Classes are usually from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Then, I have another practice from 2:15-4:15 p.m. and I try to be asleep by 10 p.m.,” said Severino.

In college, social life is largely important. Yet, for student-athletes, social life has to take the back seat. However, Severino does not consider this to be a loss.

“Having such a busy schedule, our social lives are definitely affected by our responsibilities,” said Severino. “Waking up so early puts you on a complete opposite schedule as most of your classmates. However, since we spend so much time together, we are one of the closest teams on campus. Being a member of the swim team automatically gives you 50 new friends. I like to look at it like I get to spend hours every day with some of my best friends.”

The balancing act between athletics and academics is another big piece of the puzzle for student athletes, something that takes a lot of practice. Denver’s freshman hockey star Danton Heinen seems to have adjusted to the high-pressure, but he says it wasn’t easy.

“It’s pretty difficult to balance the two. I think you kind of get better at it. I’ve gotten better at it as the year has gone on. It really helps teach time management,” Heinen said.
However, it’s not only about athletics and academics for people like Heinen. He says there are also other important components to a healthy lifestyle.

“You have to get the right amount of sleep and find time for nutrition too,” said Heinen.

The key to being successful in the classroom and on the ice for the National Collegiate Hocky Conference Rookie of the Year is “not being lazy and being proactive and not procrastinating.”
Senior women’s lacrosse player Jill Remenapp has had more time to figure out the student-athlete life. For her, it was not an easy transition either. Yet, she was luckily able to successfully adjust.

“Freshman year, it was a struggle finding a balance between athletics and academics,” said Remenapp. “But by sophomore year, you get used to your own schedule. Each day I take time to do my homework after practice and that’s where I’ve found the most success. Practice is usually in the afternoons so homework is for night. In-season, it’s hard to find time so you make time on the bus or the plane or in the hotel.”

Remenapp figured out the balancing act on her own, but she offers some words of advice for her younger self and for upcoming student-athletes.

“I would tell my freshman self: don’t let school stress you out on the lacrosse field. The field is the one time you can forget about school and focus on the game. It’s the time to enjoy the game and not even worry about anything else,” she said.

This advice can apply to any current or aspiring student-athlete; balance is always important, but so is the enjoyment.