The Athlete Within
By Gabrielle Dosdos | Sports | Jan. 31, 2025
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (SCPDA)—For student-athletes, choosing where they devote their time and energy is a valuable but challenging task since their choices shape their skills and future opportunities. From late-night practices to attentive study sessions, time is critical when navigating a rigorous schedule. Choosing between a single sport and playing multiple requires careful consideration as students must balance their academic responsibilities with their athletic commitments throughout the school year. While dedicating oneself entirely to a sport can foster excellence, playing multiple sports can broaden skills and experiences. Ultimately, these decisions influence their athletic paths and shape their identity and personal growth.
Somewhere along their sports journey, many Stanton College Preparatory School students decide whether to play multiple sports or specialize in one. Focusing on a single sport may increase the risk of physical burnout, but intense practice could also result in more refined skills as the athlete matures. Conversely, engaging in various sports allows students to improve various body mechanics and develop new techniques which transfer to their primary sport.
“If you only play one sport, you miss out on sports diversification,” said Matthew Silvis, a professor of Family and Community Medicine at Penn State, in a 2018 article published in Penn State Research Enterprise which analyzed the sports histories of professional and collegiate ice hockey players. “We have seen a lot of professional athletes coming out in support of [sports diversification], saying that by playing a lot of sports you will learn many skills and work different muscle groups that will help you if you specialize in one sport later.”
An athlete's identity is multifaceted and shaped by several factors, including time management, connections within the athletic world, and life lessons. However, student-athletes often share similar experiences, both positive and negative. These may include physical or mental setbacks which prevent athletes from reaching their full potential or maintaining motivation. Such challenges may feel more overwhelming for single-sport athletes, who focus solely on one discipline. In contrast, multi-sport athletes may take setbacks less personally, finding strength or success in other sports. These differences influence how athletes develop resilience and adaptability, shaping how they handle future difficulties.
“Being a multi-sport athlete shaped my identity because I base a lot of my activities around athletics,” said senior Catherine Brewer, a golf, basketball, and flag football player. “When you are not playing sports, you lose [association with] yourself. Socially, [I] met a lot of people while playing these different sports [and have found] most of my friends.”
Beyond the physical aspects, social considerations also influence the decision to specialize in or play multiple sports. Focusing on one sport provides access to college connections, including coaches and recruiters, solidifying a foundation for both athletic and academic growth. Additionally, it fosters networking and interpersonal skills, which are valuable in professional settings.
“Committing to one sport allowed me to focus more on that," said freshman basketball player Shivan Patel. “It lets me work harder instead of [training] for multiple things [and] hone my skills [more].”
While versatile student-athletes face unique challenges, both single and multi-sport athletes must balance athletics with academic stressors, as poor management can lead to physical and mental health issues. Ineffective time management, for example, can hinder recovery and lead to fatigue. A study published in 2020 by Frontiers in Psychology examined the psychological and physical pressures faced by junior alpine skiers. Alongside academic stress, they spent countless hours studying, resulting in increased fatigue and sleep disturbances. These findings highlight how academic and athletic pressures shape how student-athletes view themselves, their capabilities, and their priorities, tying back to their overall personal identity.
Although there is no standardized approach for student-athletes to follow, the skills gained–whether by specializing or diversifying–are invaluable. It takes perseverance to become a quality student-athlete, as maintaining grades and proficiency in sports is expected by professional environments. For many, these challenges shape their identity and build resilience. Even if some leave their sport, the lessons learned, and the fortitude developed during their time as student-athletes continue to influence how they manage real world challenges.