Written by Carter L Robison
Jessica Heimrich, Jordan Smith and Zach Roddenberryare just three examples of what it is like to experience one of the most physical, demanding, draining jobs to have: being a college athlete.
Heimrich and Smith are sophomores at Harding University and members of the Lady Bison volleyball team, an experience they said helps them experience the difficulties of being a student-athlete each and every day.
“For me personally, it’s about performing at a level I expect to play at each day,” Heimrich said.
Transitioning from high school to college can be a daunting task. With many college athletes, Smith said there is a struggle to find a balance in school, sports, social life, relationships, family and religion.
“You aren’t the star athlete anymore,” Smith said. “You have to fight and work for your position day in and day out. When it comes to my social life…what social life?”
Roddenberry is also a sophomore at Harding University and is a member of the men’s basketball team. During his freshman year, Roddenberry said he experienced the practice of being a redshirt freshman.
“Redshirting has a negative and positive effect on you,” he said. “It gives you more time to develop and become stronger; it gives you the chance to learn the system more. However, on the other hand, it makes you not want to play. You practice just as hard and just as much as the others, but not see a minute on the floor.”
Roddenberry was a starter at Salem High School in Conyers, Ga. He averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds, and broke 11 school records. Expectations were high for Roddenberry coming to Harding.
“I expected to be the go-to guy,” Roddenberry said. “I expected to come in and do my thing, just like I did in high school. Boy, was I wrong.”
Although there are many challenges of being a student-athlete, Heimrich said there are benefits to their hard work and efforts.
“It has been an absolute opportunity,” Heimrich said. “It gives you the opportunity to grow as a person and learn about myself and what struggles I can overcome and what goals I can accomplish.”
