Cal Poly athletes and how they balance academics and sports

In-season, athletes spend up to 30 hours a week with their team between practice, weights, traveling and games. Student athletes have to find a balance between athletics and academics. 

Aidan Blair, a third year business administration student on the swim team, says that the coach wants athletes to perform well in school and focus on classes before their sport. The team came up with a program to promote extra study time and provide resources to students who might need it a little more than others.

“It’s like if you’re struggling with school, they’ll put you on the program,” Blair said. “But I know for all freshmen this year they have to do like a mandatory, mandatory like 6 hours inside of the study room. And we have like a study room in Mott, which is very cool. It’s like where everyone kind of gets together and does homework and studies together.”

Blair participated in this program his freshman year, and it helped him with online school and adjusting to the new rigorous schedule as a college athlete.

“School’s first for us,” Blair said. “Definitely. Like if you if you have a problem, the school is like you can just tell coach and you can try as best like lessen the amount of training you do, but like still keep you involved, you know?”

Nate Colley, a third year biomedical engineer on the soccer team, compliments coaches for the balance that they give student athletes. Colley shares that getting into a groove is essential for each quarter.

“Really diligent, really persistent. Communicate with your professors. So you see some guys struggle with it,” Colley said. “ I’ve definitely had struggles with it before, but the resources that they provide us do make things a lot more manageable.”

Colley said even in season he’s able to relax on the weekends and take some time for himself outside of soccer and classes. He’s able to spend some time with his teammates in a non stressful environment.

“I’m able to find a little bit of extra time on the weekends and stuff, but it definitely is a big time commitment,” Colley. “I spend a lot of time with my teammates and stuff. That’s where a majority of my social life comes.”

For more information on the academic assistance athletes can receive, visit the academic services tab on the CP athletics website gopoly.com.