Participating in a Spring Sing show, especially as a large part, requires late nights, countless hours of choreography and singing practices, and often sacrificing parts of your weekends. Spring Sing large part is no small undertaking, but it is even more challenging as an active collegiate athlete.
Freshman Zach Fryxell, who is in the TNT, Zeta Rho and Friends show, also plays for the Bisons’ basketball team. He said that his experience playing basketball and participating in Spring Sing was a positive one, but one that left his schedule completely booked on most days.
“It kept me very busy, and I’ve had plenty of late nights,” Fryxell said. “It was extremely difficult. I’ve missed close to as many Spring Sing practices as I’ve made because I’ve had basketball practice or games. It has been a challenge to keep up with all the dance moves.”
Freshman cheerleader Ellie Arnett, who is participating in Ju Go Ju and Ko Jo Kai’s show, said that there were times when she would have to miss Spring Sing practice to cheer at basketball games, which made it more challenging for her to learn the dance moves for the show.
“It was difficult at the beginning, because I would have to miss most of the Spring Sing practices because of basketball games or cheer practice,” Arnett said. “But once basketball season ended, it was much easier to keep up with Spring Sing.”
Although both Fryxell and Arnett had some struggles early on trying to balance their competing schedules, both also said that having a background with athletics helped them acclimate better to their roles in their respective shows. Fryxell said that being in shape from basketball season paid off when learning the show’s dance moves, and Arnett said that her cheerleading experience helped her adjust to the bright lights of the stage.
“Being in front of the student sections at both the football and basketball games has helped with being on stage,” Arnett said. “I’m used to having people watch me dance because of cheer, and I’m used to learning dances. Being on stage and on the court or field are very similar, and cheer has definitely helped me in that regard.”
Despite scheduling challenges and a very hectic couple of months, each made it clear that doing Spring Sing, even as an athlete, was well worth it.
“I got to be with the guys on the team and then go be with everyone in Spring Sing,” Fryxell said. “I got to be around just about every kind of personality, and it was just a great experience overall.”
Arnett felt the same and urged future athletes not to let the opportunity to participate in Spring Sing pass them by.
“I would highly recommend doing both,” Arnett said. “It is such a great opportunity to meet new people and grow closer to the people in your club. It can be stressful at times, but it is so worth it in the end on both the sports side and Spring Sing side.”
