The healing

Coming to terms with reality is often a lengthy journey for a vast majority of athletes. Eventually, though, they learn they are not alone in their struggles, as their fellow teammates tend to relate and sympathize. The concept of awareness and self-care can be difficult to grasp and requires time because a damaging viewpoint still exists in regards toward mental health. The sports environment can be a toxic one, frequently misinterpreting the message of mental illness as a mentality and an excuse.

Athletes, however, take their mental and physical scars and use them as a driving force to further build themselves, believing the unfortunate circumstances can be fuel in achieving greater goals. Junior softball player Erin Bonehill is one of countless student athletes who hold aspirations to pursue their sport at a higher level.

“I [want to] play college softball,” Bonehill said. “I know [that] doing all the hard practices, the conditioning [and] weight-room [workouts] will help me get there. I really love the sport, too, so I feel like the drive to play college softball and the fact that I love it keeps pushing me every year.”

Though athletes are determined to seek out value in the sports they play, it is also imperative for them to prioritize their schoolwork. Their dual roles as students and athletes aid the healing process as they have something to work for, motivating them to find strength despite harsh circumstances. 

“I can’t have a failing grade in [a] class because I see that failing grade as me not helping out the team, as me being a liability,” junior baseball and football player Carl Levy said. “Not being able to focus in class would be like me not being able to focus on the field. I feel being in sports [has] taught me [the importance of] determination, [to establish] that drive to be a better student overall.”