Real Student Athletes Are Rare Nowadays

In the course of my two years as a sportswriter, and now an editor of Binghamton University's student-run newspaper, I have had the opportunity to rub elbows with countless players and coaches, both on the collegiate and professional level.

And through these encounters, I have had the privilege of getting to know some of these players and coaches, and have found one thing to be overwhelmingly true.

These people are human.

I know! It's a shocking revelation. The people that we see on our TV screens or in the pages of our periodicals are just like you and me.

I had touched upon this briefly in an article that I wrote on the heels of the BU men's basketball team winning the America East Tournament (http://www.bupipedream.com/Articles/Emotions-run-high-with-championship-win/10997), but only within the last few days have these thoughts permeated my mind.

Walking out of the library on campus after reading for several hours, I encountered a Bearcats' basketball player.

Now I am quick to avoid a conversation with them, because as a student-athlete, if they are not on the court, they are not fair game. So I intended to simply shoot him a knowing glance, and carry on with my day.

Instead, he extended a hand, and greeted me by name. Now this was not some bench player mind you, this one a man who was key component of the team that won the AE title a little over a month ago.

When I inquired as to what his plans were once he entered the library, he informed me that he had a math final to study for, one which he planned on "passing with flying colors."

I was a bit taken aback by this. Here is a man who is force on the court, actually taking a moment (or several) to actually study for a class. I was impressed.

I have heard from friends, student-journalists at other academic institutions, and even one professional sportswriter that many of the athletes they cover hardly go to class, and skate by on their reputations.

I was pleased that at least one athlete at my own school was taking the time to focus on something other than a round orange ball.

It's something that we should all see more of, athletes in college taking an interest in their academics rather than being focused solely on their on-court accomplishments.

That would certainly be a welcome change.