The Process of Thinking About Collegiate Sports

The Process of Thinking about Collegiate Sports

By: Chase Wassel

“Where are you going to school?”

“What are you studying?”

“What is your school like?”

And then.. “are you playing in college?”

Yes- sometimes the “I don’t know’s” and the “uhhhhh’s” come into play when asked that question. It is completely normal for all athletes. But in reality though… are you going to play in college?

When playing a sport in high school, some people consider it something to do to keep in shape for when prom season comes around. Some see it as a way to make friends.

But for those real athletes, they play it because it has been a part of their life since they could remember. It is something that made YOU the way you are today. It was all those endless car-rides and plane tickets, all those days laying around in your sweaty clothes during tournaments from 8am to 8 pm. It’s all those parties you missed because you had a tournament the next day. It’s all those hot and exhausting practices where you just wanted to go home and sleep. You didn’t put all that time, money, blood, sweat, and tears into it NOT to continue it at college, did you?

For me, I personally didn’t know what I wanted to do. I waited so long to officially decide: “No, I AM playing in college.” Not going to lie, it is a huge decision. The decision requires a lot of work. You can’t just show up to your dream school and ask to be put on the team. The usual situation is you try out for a club team in high school, you set up a recruiting profile, you email coaches, you ask them to show at your games, you wait for their response, you visit the schools, etc. But- it’s not that easy.

Everyone obviously wants to attend a school with a good academic, athletic, and all around good college atmosphere. Sometimes you get all of those amazing qualities, and sometimes you lack in some areas. It is all about working hard and earning what you put in.

For me, I only played club volleyball for 3 years. When my final season approached, I said to myself “Should I even bother?” I lacked confidence, it is who I am. But everyone told me otherwise, that I looked to be one of the most confident and comfortable players on the court. That I had this “I’m going to take over” persona.

It took a lot in me to decide on whether or not I wanted to continue playing this sport I loved. So one day we brought in my two coaches (who in fact, practically raised me alongside my wonderful parents), and they explained to me the process of being recruited and how it is a tough process and sometimes you aren’t always happy with the feedback you receive/don’t receive.

At the time, they were coaches at Holy Family University (small, D2 school in Northeast Philadelphia). They were talking to me and my parents my summer going into Senior Year. They said “Okay, so we believe there are a handful of D1 schools that would like to take you, more on the lower tears, but it could change depending how much work you put in.” After that, they explained to me all the challenges, all the commitment, and all the adversity you face in these type of programs.

Slightly overwhelmed, my parents toss the question “How about Holy Family?” Their faces dropped…”you…you want to come play for us?” I almost was offended like … “Do you ..not want me?”

And here I am, typing this, after 2 monumental seasons in my career. And to be honest with you, this is by far the best decision (for numerous different reasons). I wouldn’t have it any other way. Being an athlete is in my blood. I literally ask myself sometimes “what would my life be like without sports?”

And that is why playing a collegiate sport is the best decision for any die-hard athlete.

8 Tips To Get You Through Tough Workouts

In order to be an athlete, you obviously have to have the body type to do so. Yes, unfortunately that requires the scary thought: working out, a lot. 

Some people view working out as a way to cope with things (stress, anger, happiness, natural habit,etc), to do it for pleasure, or view it as a pain in the you know what. 

But when you are a collegiate athlete, you really don't have that option to opt out or "not really feel like doing it." Working out is your life. Post- season, pre-season, regular-season: yeah, there really isn't a time you aren't working out. 

That's what I learned myself, to suck it up. But, whether I am feeling super good that day, or feeling sluggish and cannot physically get out of bed that day, I do have some reoccurring thoughts overall. Here are some tips to help you get through those brutal workouts when you really feel like you "literally can't."

8 Tips for those Tough Workouts:

1. "I think I can, I know I can."

Yeah- that can be easier said than done. But when your trainer is screaming in your face to do 5 more reps, and your arms feel like a fresh plate of Jell-o, repeating this can actually motivate you to keep going, for just a few more. Mind over body- your mind has control, so tell it to shush, and let you finish what you need to get done.

2. A vision

For my volleyball team- we've always wanted a CACC Banner. That is the ultimate goal of every season: to win a Championship Banner. It is equivalent to winning an Olympic Gold Medal in our eyes (a little dramatic, but you get it). Personally, envisioning myself holding that banner after all the blood, sweat, and tears, really pushes me to get through what I am doing. Cheating myself in the moment will only come to bite me in the behind later on. Envisioning your big end goal is something that can really get you to keep trudging along. 

3. Break it Down

"Okay, 45 lbs on each side plus the barbell, 5 sets of 10." Okay.. so technically 10 sets of 5? Sometimes breaking down your workout to make it a little more bearable, can help. Setting those mini goals can be a way to view the workout differently.

4. The Buddy System

Working out alone: BORING! Sometimes, working out with another person can have a ton of benefits. Sure, some people enjoy being alone, taking a mental day and using their own ability to get a killer workout in. But, say if that gets old, or you just prefer something else: grab a friend! When working out with someone by your side, you can add a little mini competition. Push your partner to do one more rep, add five more pounds, do 3 more sprints, etc. That little extra kick can help your partner as well as yourself, to push yourself further then you thought. Hey, another sore muscle never hurt nobody, right? 

5. Get Distracted

Going into a workout bare with nothing but you and yourself can stink. Bring music, a book, a study guide, your dog (only under certain circumstances). Just a little distraction can help tremendously. For instance, running on the treadmill while reading the whole Harry Potter sequel might not make you run 40 times faster and make your legs never stop moving, but it can definitely make running a mile go much quicker. 

6. Don't Cheat!

Cheaters NEVER WIN. Okay, maybe someone won't know if you really did 20 good push ups, because at 18 you felt like your arms were going to snap like an uncooked noodle. But- in the end, it'll effect you. Honestly, it can affect you mentally, just thinking back to your workout out like: why didn't I just do one more? Not fully doing every rep, every sprint, every jumping jack, whatever it is, will not benefit you at all. JUST DO IT! You can mope and complain about how hard it was later. Don't be lazy. 

7. Picture that post-workout feel

Yeah, in the moment of doing 12 speed sprints on the treadmills make you feel as if you are going to completely fall off and slam into the wall behind you, making your chest feel like it is going to rip open and have your heart fall to your feet, but imagine how good you'll feel when you are showered after, laying in bed, belly full with a good breakfast, done the workout. Donating that one hour to hard work, leaves the rest of your day open for whatever tasks you need to get done. Look good and FEEL great. 

8. What got you here?

In the end, why? Why are you doing this? Is it because you are an athlete at a college? Was it your New Years Resolution? Are you doing a weight-loss challenge with your friends? Focusing on what made you start is an excellent way to get you through the workout. For me, I have a milestone I want to reach before I graduate. Everyday I push through everything to get to that final end goal, as well as doing it for not only myself, but my parents. Because who doesn't love proud parents? Picturing your end goal, or why you started can benefit you mentally and physically. Pretty soon you'll be noticing those killer biceps and baby abs developing (keep working)!

In the end, you can look at working out however you like. At all levels- it is what it is. It makes you feel good, look good, and can have extremely life changing benefits. Sometimes even short little workouts can do huge impact. So get in there, change your mindset, and I promise, those results will show up faster then you think. KEEP GOING!

Part 1

According to the NCAA, there are 8 million students currently participating in high school sports. Out of that 8 million, only 480,000 of them will participate in collegiate athletics. In high school, there are 429,634 girls playing, but only 26, 570 of them continued their career further.

That's a whopping 6.2%. Not much to compete with in relation to the other 93.8%..

My point is that I find it pretty incredible that only a select amount of individuals have the privilege to compete in athletics, whether they were recruited or walked-on into a program. This is where I begin to tell the journey, the Part 1 to an athletic career in your college time frame.

I grew up in a town called North Wales, in Pennsylvania. Lived in an area where I had access to a lot of opportunity. I am one of 5 girls, all who have participated in athletics ever since they could walk. My parents were no different, playing all throughout their lives as well. So it just seemed necessary for all of us to follow in their footsteps.

I went to a small high school called Lansdale Catholic, where volleyball was known to be a big time show every time we had a game. We were a put together team, all wanting the same goal, and to make it as far as we could no matter what it took.

During my four years in high school, I was able to string together 4 District Championship titles, and 3 Philadelphia Catholic League Championships: where I am from- that's a BIG deal. Not to shabby, right?

I started playing when I was 13, on a little 7th and 8th grade team at my grade school, not aware of the outside world of volleyball. Everyone was talking about this Club ball...I'm sorry, there is more to this then what I am currently doing? 

When my sophomore year rolled around, my coaches were encouraging me to play. Like I said before, I am one of 5 girls, so money doesn't grow off of trees, you know. Club Volleyball is one of the most expensive sports to participate in for ages 12-18. So my parents were in contact with a club known as Infinity Volleyball Academy, only a 15 minute drive from my house. Convenient, pretty big club, seemed the most appealing.

These tryouts for all these different clubs all happen in one day. Why? Only God knows. But I have to say, after a long day of tryouts, traveling across the tri-state area, my mom and I passed out. Only to wake up from 5+ missed calls from a club director who really wanted me there that evening.

Smelly and tired, my mom and I book it over to the club, to only realize I was 3 hours past my time slot, so there I was, 15 years of age, trying out with 12 year old girls. Good start Chase, good.

Long story short, I was encouraged and almost demanded to play up 2 years. Little me decided, hey, why not play with older people? And in this moment, I was given that little boost of confidence- like wow, I have some potential? Could this be the start of something great?

And here I am now- 4 years later, sitting in my college dorm room at Holy Family University, a Division II program, playing the sport I love with every ounce in me: Volleyball.

This blog is going to be describing my journey, as well as all the mental, and physical work put into this sport. From work outs, to practices, to personal inventory, to health and nutrition, to academics, to pre-season and post-season to off-season, to the life of an athlete. All the curiosity and interest you wanted to know what a college athlete goes through, will be addressed-from my experience. Here is the journey- enjoy!