October 18, 2007

It happened! My senior year finally came, but what is different about this year as oppose to the others, is that it’s my last season. I am Kristie Martinez, a member of the UCR softball team. I am a fifth-year senior who took a medical redshirt my freshmen year. The past couple years I have had the opportunity to work at the freshmen and transfer student-athlete orientation and each year I have thought the same thing: “I was there once.” The excitement and sometimes fear of meeting new people takes place for mostly all incomers. I have seen the unsteady looks on teammate’s faces where you can just tell they are confused by something just stated about study hall hours or even where the training room is. So much information gets thrown at a student-athlete within moments of stepping onto campus. Therefore, my job, or better yet, my contribution to my final year is to be that voice of reason, insight, or even “been there, done that, oops did it again” advice. I have chosen to write this student-athlete diary in attempts to express the lifestyle of a student-athlete and all that it may entail.

Being a Division I collegiate student-athlete is by no means, easy. It consists of two full-time jobs. One of them is a full-time student and the other is a 20 + hour commitment to the sport involved, not including extra hours of individual work. So why would thousands of young adults choose this path? Although I cannot speak for others accurately, I have a sense for that answer on a personal level.

I have had my fair share of injuries in my 22 years of existence. Reducing that to the last four years of collegiate athletics and still I have had countless injuries, some even season ending. Here I am, finally a senior athletically, yet time and time again I ask myself what is keeping me in this game? What would make anyone in their right mind endure blazing hot weather then sudden fog in the early mornings conditioning? What would be the reason for a nine month long commitment to morning workouts, afternoon practices, and evening study hall session? It may be cliché to say, but I am a Division I student-athlete for the love of the game I play. There would be no other reason why 4-5 days a week I rise at 6 a.m. and work out with my teammates at 7 a.m. sharp. There is no other reason why I would choose a 20 + hour job that consists of sweat and scars than a 20+ hour job as an intern in a climate controlled setting that prepares me for my life after softball. I love what I do. I love working towards something that I am guaranteed to see results. Now I understand that part of athletics is set up for failures, otherwise there would be no losing team at the end of each game. Each team has had their share of losses that travel in variations, but it is worth it! There are some athletes who will make a future out of their talent and be drafted. But then there are those athletes who become professionals other than their sport.

When I was around the age of 5, I wanted to be a dancer. Then at the age of 10, it was a teacher. At 13, I wanted to be a lawyer, then later a doctor. During my first few years of college I desired to be a motivational speaker sounded interesting and self-fulfilling in addressing social norms. The importance in this constant change of feelings towards my future profession is I have the option to explore. The variation I have expressed in my career choice has taught me that my imagination exceeds my age level. It is constantly changing, while one thing remains constant… the possibility to become as I wish. My life, thus far, has been highly influenced through athletics and has inspired me to explore the doors that have been opened for me, that might have otherwise been closed.

-Kristie