Being a Bison
A week in the life of a university athlete
DAYNA STEINFELD VOLUNTEER STAFF
All university students are familiar with the stress involved in trying to juggle school responsibilities with life. We all have to deal with the seemingly never-ending assignments and tests while dealing with the pressures that come with work, family and friends. But what if, on top of everything else, you add the responsibilities of being a high-level university athlete? How would you manage your life? To help answer this question, Laura Churley, a second-year post for the Bisons women’s basketball team, has offered a glimpse into a week of her life during the season.
Monday
9:30 a.m.: lab
11:30 a.m.: the team meets to watch game tape or do homework
1:30 p.m.: class
2:30 p.m.: team workout
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.: 45-minute sessions working on individual skills 6:30 p.m.: head home for dinner, homework, and watching Prison Break
Tuesday
7:30 a.m.-10 a.m.: athletic therapy and a team practice
10 a.m.: class
11:30 a.m.: individual skills in small groups, during which Laura’s group works on low post skills
1 p.m.: class
2:15 p.m.: home for homework
Wednesday
Laura has the morning off and was able to work a part-time job last semester. During the season, however, most of the team does not have time to work.
1:30 p.m.: class
2:30 p.m.: a meeting in the team room for some time together or to watch game tapes
3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: practice
5:30 p.m.: home for dinner and homework
Thursday
7:30-10 a.m.: a practice similar to Tuesday’s that also includes a formal game plan for the weekend’s games
10 a.m.: class
11:30 a.m.: individual workout, during which Laura practices her shooting
1 p.m.: class
2:15 p.m.: watching a game tape or going home
7 p.m.: watching Grey’s Anatomy, something almost the whole team makes time to do, either together as a team or as a prep for a team discussion the next day
Friday
Mornings: a shoot-around in preparation for the upcoming game that always finishes with half-court shots. Following this, some girls go to class but if they missed their classes, they go home.
2:30 p.m.: lunch followed by a nap. After this, most of the team goes to the gym to do another shoot-around and, if needed, get athletic therapy.
5:30 p.m.: the team has a meeting, followed by individual warm-up and preparation, and then a 20-minute team warm-up right before tip-off.
6:15 p.m.: game time.
8 p.m.: the team assembles in the Booster room for food, and then watches the Bisons men’s basketball game.
Saturday
The day’s events play out in the same fashion as Friday’s. It is not uncommon to go out as a team after the game, especially following a big win.
Sunday
Sundays are a “day off,” although there are still responsibilities to fulfill. First-year players have to go to study hall for two hours in the afternoon while the rest of the team catches up on homework at home. Players also have to coach the Junior Bisons for an hour and a half. The night usually ends early, giving the team time to rest in preparation for the busy week that begins again on Monday.
This is how a typical week in the life of Laura Churley, Bisons athlete, plays out when the team plays at home. However, for weeks that the team is on the road, the team leaves Thursday morning following practice and returns on Sunday.
The life of a student-athlete is hectic and demanding. It takes a very dedicated person to excel both on and off the hardwood. Churley, an academic all-Canadian last year, has proven that she has that dedication.
