Juggling school and athletics

By Latesha Johnson | gargoyle@flagler.edu

As a current student athlete and three-year member of the women’s basketball team, there are two words that have defined my stint here at Flagler College: time management.

For example, I’ve learned that when you think you have a little free time to yourself, you end up sweating out those precious seconds in search of more time. Between conditioning and practicing, individual workouts, studying film, participating in community service, playing games and traveling for road games, being an athlete can take a physical and mental toll on your life.

To add onto that are the countless class assignments, term papers and projects your professors’ strategically distribute, which are inconveniently all due within days of one another.

Learning how to balance school and athletics was a must. Without the ability to do that, I would have probably been ineligible to play, or worst-case scenario could have dropped out of school, ending my chances of playing basketball. But I chose to suck it up, and found a way to make it happen.

My coaches taught me skills and lessons that have made me the woman I am today. They have instilled a will to never give up, reject doubt and be great. These are internal thoughts of wisdom I will carry with me forever.

Even though my life has revolved around school and basketball, I do appreciate and commend the experience that came with it. I have made lifelong friends, acquired an immeasurable amount of knowledge and education, accumulated a number of career connections and created plenty of amazing memories. I may not remember every single game that was played with my teammates, but I will never forget building houses, climbing military walls and sharing stories. Those were the moments that made it all worth it.

To sum it all up, I am pleased with the way things have gone in the classroom and on the court. From numerous professors complimenting me on my work, and being a part of a team that changed the Flagler’s women’s basketball program around, there is not much more you can ask for. The only thing missing that would complete this unforgettable journey would be for our team to win a championship. If that doesn’t happen, it’ll be my only regret.

Thank You, Flagler College, you have been good to me.