Life’s a Sport

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — September 5th, 2003

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Life’s a Sport

Whoever said being an athlete is easy, has never been an athlete. 

After play four years of sports in high school the main reason why students passed on being a full time athlete was because it was so demanding.

Intercollegiate sports are no joke. 

At Howard, it's taken to the next level. When a student is an athlete, sports are their life.

Unlike the academic year, two semesters consisting of16 weeks of classes, athletes continue their commitment year around.

Athletes don't stop just because academics do. 

Spring, winter and summer vacations are either non-existent or cut short and they continue to train. 

If one week, one month, is taken off, an athlete and the team could lose a season's worth of conditioning. 

The most popular break for a student hietist from the classes to the beaches of Cancun, Miami or some island, spring sports are in the climax of their season. 

For the track team, there's no time for a spring breaks. 

"Spring break key. It's in the heart of our season. We can't afford to lose a week," said Merritt.

Rarely do colleges have the same spring break and going into big meets like NC State, UNC-Charolette and the Colonail Relays at William and Mary the Track Bison have prepare for the competition.

"We have to produce the times. Most meets have standards and we need these meets to qualify for MEAC and NCAA regionals," said Merritt. "There are no guarantees."

Merritt doesn't play when it comes to his athletes being present and accounted for at practice during spring break. 

He said that being involved in intercollegiate athletics means there are certain sacrafies to make it to the next level. 

"If they decide to go on break, that shows a lack of commitment. If partying is more important, they don't need to be a part of this program," Merritt warned. "They have a lifetime to party, if they can't take one week to train for competition, something's wrong. One week out of 53 isn't going to kill them"

 

Spring is crucial for track and the Men's and Women's basketball teams battle with first semester finals and winter vacation. 

"Winter break is the worst time. There's constant conditioning," said Men's Basketball Head Coach Frankie Allen. 

During their 10-day period, December 20-29th, with no scheduled games, Coach Allen makes his team go back to the basics, running and conditioning. 

Women's Basketball Head Coach Cathy Parson has a similar regiment.

"They get five or six days off for Christmas and they come back to two-a-days to try and recover," Coach Parson said.

Parson also expressed her feelings of satisfaction because of the evolution of women's basketball and the advantages her players have when they do go home. 

Conditioning is consistent with every sport at Howard 

Coaches encourage their athletes to work hard and have fun, but don't get it twisted it's not a game. The level of their conditioning helps these athletes compete against other colleges for bragging rights.

But within the team, Howard players compete for position. 

The battle for pt (playing time) can be just as intense as the game itself. 

The factor that distinguishes one athlete from another is their training routine. 

Women's Soccer Head Coach Michelle Street said it boils down to motivation.

"They know were always recruiting athletes. They have to keep improving to keep their spot."

Coach Street rotates her players to find that right combination on the field.

Rotation is also a key element for Merritt. 

Several times during the season, meets will see two or three Howard teams in the 4X100 and 4X400. Merritt wants to find the right combination of runners for his relays to run in the bigger meets.

"The freshmen," Parson said, "have come in and changed the mold. Their on fire and the seniors have a level of work ethic we haven't seen before."

Seniority doesn't exist on her team.

It doesn't matter the year, if a player, freshman of senior, shows Parson that she's hard working and dedicated, she will start. 

Everyone on her team has to bring their A-game because, "there are no guaranteed spots. A player earns her spot. My favorite player is one who follows instructions and has the complete package."