This summer, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute is excited to welcome back two former interns to the team. Bringing a wide range of experience in communication and event planning, the pair will help lead preparations for the third-annual RECESS symposium while continuing to support the Institute’s mission.
Katie Gerbasich – Communications Lead
Katie Gerbasich graduated this spring from Clemson with a degree in Sports Communication. She has worked with the Institute for the previous three semesters as a writer and editor. Gerbasich hopes to pursue a master’s degree in sports analytics.
“I truly love working with this team,” Gerbasich said. “This new role will be an exciting oppurtunity to continue growing professionally.”
Lucy Hart – Events Lead
Lucy Hart recently graduated from Clemson in December with a degree in Sports Management. Since then, Hart has been working as a People Operations Intern for the Savannah Bananas on the Banana Ball World Tour, gaining hands-on experience in sports operations and event management.
“I can’t wait to come back to RHBSSI as the Events Lead once again,” Hart said. “I am excited to be back in Clemson to complete my master’s in public administration and jump back into my work with the Institute.”
As the Spring semester wraps up, interns from the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute are looking back on their experiences that defined their time with the program. This semester marked the Institute’s largest intern cohort to date, including two Beyond the Game student-athlete interns. From hands-on work in content creation to collaborative storytelling, each intern contributed in unique ways while also beginning to shape their future plans.
Evy Lane – Communications Lead
My favorite moment/memory was interviewing the athletes at the Watt Performance Center and seeing all the different features.
The most valuable thing I’ve learned is that if I am not 100% confident in my skills on a certain task, asking the right people for help and continuing to learn and grow in my proficiency, I can do things I never thought I could.
This summer, I will be interning with The Variable in Winston-Salem, NC!
Sofia Cordi – Events Lead
My favorite memory this semester was seeing everything come together at our RHBSSI events after all of the behind-the-scenes planning. As Events Lead, I spent a lot of time coordinating details, organizing sign-ups, communicating with the team, and helping make sure each event ran smoothly, so it was really rewarding to see people engage with our events in person. I especially enjoyed being able to represent the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute on campus and help create opportunities for students to connect with sports science in a fun and approachable way.
The most valuable thing I learned this semester was how much strong communication and organization matter when working with a team. Event planning involves so many moving parts, and this role helped me become more confident in taking initiative, solving problems, and communicating professionally with different people across campus. I also learned how important it is to stay flexible because plans can change quickly, and being able to adjust while keeping a positive attitude makes a big difference.
After graduation, I will be starting a full-time role with Total Quality Logistics in Greenville, SC. I’m excited to begin my career in recruiting and continue building on the communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills I developed through this internship. Long term, I hope to grow in the HR/recruiting field and use those skills to help create positive workplace experiences for others.
Katie Gerbasich – Writer/Editor
My favorite memory this semester was working the CUPara Soccer game. It was so inspiring to see all the work that went into the event pay off by creating an incredible experience for those kids. The energy was amazing all day. It was truly something I’ll never forget, and I was so grateful to be a part of it.
The most valuable thing I’ve learned this semester is to embrace every opportunity. This semester, I took on tasks I never thought possible, like redesigning our website. Projects like this have truly expanded my professional skill set, making me more confident in myself.
After graduation, I will be staying on with RHBSSI over the summer, then looking to start graduate school at Clemson.
Nathan Inman – Writer/Editor
The whole semester has really been my favorite memory. Getting to take charge and create an entirely new weekly motorsports series has been incredibly fun and rewarding, and it’s something I never even thought I’d be doing when I first came into the position. From interviewing countless students to traveling for hours to shoot photos, it has truly been an amazing journey!
The most valuable thing I’ve learned is you can’t succeed if you don’t try. This semester has taken a ton of effort, but it’s been completely worth it. I’ve gotten to do things I never expected, and it’s all because I had to take the initiative and put in the work.
Post-grad, I hope to work in motorsports in some capacity, whether on the business/marketing side or in journalism/broadcasting. However, that’s still a year away, and in the meantime, I’m doing everything I can to continue gaining experience. This summer I’ll be interning with The Seneca Journal, and next semester I’ll be right back here with the Institute! This semester has been such a blast, and I can’t wait to see what the next one has in store!
Katie Colton – Graphic Designer
My favorite memory of the semester was getting to hang out and meet all of the interns at the tabling event in April.
The most valuable thing I have learned this semester is being able to improve my social media graphic design skills. Also, gaining more practice and experience with Clemson’s branding guidelines for creating graphics was very valuable.
After I graduate in December, I want to work in marketing or graphic design in New York.
To round out this semester’s cohort, RHBSSI also welcomed two Beyond the Game student-athlete interns, who balanced their contributions to the Institute alongside the demands of their sport and academics. Their presence added a valuable perspective to the team and further highlighted the Institute’s commitment to supporting student-athletes in exploring opportunities beyond competition. As the semester comes to a close, the impact of this diverse group of interns will continue to shape the Institute.
Head Coach, Felipe Tobar, and Clemson Paralympic Soccer players gather at Riggs Field.
For the second year in a row, Clemson Paralympic Soccer went head-to-head in an official match against the CP (Cerebral Palsy) Soccer All-Stars at Clemson University’s Historic Riggs Field on Saturday, April 25, 2026. This event marks the second time in U.S. college history that two Cerebral Palsy soccer teams have competed against each other in a university stadium.
The match was close, with the score tied 1-1 for most of the game. But in the end, the Clemson team scored an additional goal in the second half to secure a victory.
Check out this instant replay of the game-winning goal, captured by Drew Landon Media, by Player of the Match, Shae Hammond.
Post-event surveys showed that, at the start, around 43% of attendees were unaware of the sport and, by the end of the match, over 60% of attendees’ perceptions of Paralympic athletes had positively changed. 88% of fans expressed an interest in supporting adaptive sports in the future.
“Clemson University is inarguably a trailblazer in the world of adaptive soccer,” head coach and faculty fellow of the Institute, Felipe Tobar, said.
Player of the Match, Shea Hammond, and RHBSSI Director, John DesJardins, pose with the game-winning trophy after the match.
The team at the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute (RHBSSI) thanks Clemson Paralympic Soccer for involving the Institute in its activities as a sponsor.
“So much positive energy and goodwill,” RHBSSI Director John DesJardins said. “I’m so happy for the program, faculty, staff and students that it supports.”
To learn more about Clemson Paralympic Soccer within the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at Clemson, click here.
Today, RHBSSI’s first semester of the all-new Motorsports Monday is coming to an end. To wrap up the first iteration of the series, the Institute provides a synopsis of the history of motorsports at Clemson and a glimpse into what the future may look like.
RHBSSI Legacy Professor, Dr. Rob Prucka
To learn more about the topic, RHBSSI sat down with its endowed Alan Kulwicki Professor of Motorsports Engineering, Dr. Rob Prucka, from the Department of Automotive Engineering.
Prucka arrived at Clemson in 2008 as a professor in automotive engineering. Since then, he has moved through the department and now sits as the interim chair. Prior to coming to Clemson, Prucka worked with the Ford Motor Company and was a consultant for the manufacturing of racing engines. Right before he began his professorship, Prucka was offered a job in the racing industry. However, Prucka turned down that offer, believing there was something bigger in the automotive program at Clemson. Nearly 20 years later, it’s safe to say that assumption was correct.
Throughout his time with the department, he has helped lead students participating in Deep Orange, a vehicle prototype program that gives graduate students the opportunity to build a vehicle of their own. Over the course of 16 projects thus far, two have specifically involved motorsports. The first of those two projects was Deep Orange 9, which was completed in 2018 and was a Next-Generation Rallycross racecar built in partnership with Honda. This project was particularly impactful for Prucka, saying it “totally changed my career path.”
Deep Orange 9
“The director of Deep Orange left,” he added, “and I just stepped in and said, ‘either this program goes away, or I run it,’ and so I just ran it.”
Just two years later, another racecar model came out of the Deep Orange program. In 2020, graduate students completed the build of Deep Orange 12, a completely autonomous IndyCar. When the car was completed, it was taken to the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indy 500, to be put to the test. Prucka mentioned that, when the car sailed off into turn 1, he wasn’t fully certain whether the car would survive.
“We weren’t really sure the whole time we were designing that car if it was ever gonna work,” he said, “because we know all the engineering and all the numbers are fine, but we weren’t sure when that thing really went into a corner at high speed, the steering would actually work.”
So, when the car went into the first turn at 140 miles per hour, Prucka braced for the worst. Instead, the car made it through completely fine, and the hard work of all the students involved in the project had paid off.
“I almost fell to the ground,” he said. “I was just so shocked, you know, all these calculations we did worked. That was just overwhelming, because it was at such a famous place, and me as an engine person, like, ‘here’s this engine we helped design,’ and it’s blasting around this track.”
With all that has been done over the last several years, it’s clear that motorsports are rooted deep in the heart of Clemson. So, what does the future look like for the years to come?
In recent years, the automotive engineering program has launched the careers of many students, as they have gone on to land jobs in motorsports shortly after graduation. Notable places past students have landed include the Cadillac Formula 1 team, Roush Yates Engines, and other various F1 and NASCAR roles. Prucka says the goal for the future is to keep the program evolving with the rest of the world, so that it can continue to produce results for its students.
Hadley Smith on the CTR team radio as race engineer.
“I just look forward to working with students and truly trying to build this new generation of talent that needs to be out there in the industry, because they need it, right?” Prucka said. “And so, there’s a great opportunity, the industry wants to help.”
Prucka added that this all goes back to that decision he made in 2008 when he turned down the racing world and came to Clemson.
“To me, that’s the best part,” he added. “I mean, that’s why I’m in the academic world and not out in the racing world, is that I really just enjoy working with students. I feel like it’s a good fit for what I like to do.”
As Dr. Prucka continues to lead the future of motorsports at Clemson forward, he hopes he can continue to provide these students with all the opportunities their hearts desire. And if the past is any indication, those students will be in good hands.
Track and field has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I watched my older sister and brother compete in high school while I was still in primary school. I didn’t fully understand everything about the sport at the time, but I knew one thing for sure, I wanted to be just like them. That early exposure planted a seed that would eventually grow into a passion and a dream. That dream became even more real when I watched my sister make the bold decision to move to another country to pursue her athletic career. Seeing her succeed showed me what was possible with hard work, sacrifice, and belief.
When it came time to choose where I wanted to continue both my academic and athletic journey, Clemson University stood out. I was fortunate to have multiple scholarship opportunities, but Clemson felt different. From the moment I stepped on campus during my recruiting visit, it felt like home. The energy of the town, the support from the people, and the overall environment made it an easy decision. Looking back now, I can confidently say it was the right choice. Clemson has exceeded my expectations in every way.
Sports have shaped my life in ways I never imagined. Moving to another country to pursue track and field was not easy, but it taught me resilience and independence. More than anything, this sport has taught me discipline. Track and field is one of the most honest sports there is—you get out exactly what you put in. There are no shortcuts, no hiding from the work. Every practice, every rep, every race reflects your effort. That honesty has helped me grow, not just as an athlete, but as a person. It has taught me lessons that go far beyond the track: consistency, accountability, and the ability to push through challenges even when things get tough.
My time at Clemson has been filled with unforgettable moments. One of the highlights of my journey so far has been earning a spot on my national team for the 2025 Pan American U23 Games. Representing my country is something I take great pride in, and it’s a moment I will never forget. Another major accomplishment has been helping my team win the ACC Championship title for the second year in a row. Achievements like these make all the hard work worth it.
Looking ahead, I have big goals both academically and athletically. I plan to complete my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in business management. Beyond college, I hope to continue competing at the professional level in track and field. At the same time, I’m also interested in building a career in sales, particularly in real estate. No matter which path I take, I know the lessons I’ve learned through sports will continue to guide me toward success.
As the semester draws to a close, Clemson Formula SAE remains busy, polishing the final touches on the team’s Tiger 26 race car. With less than a month until the car takes to the track for the main competition at Michigan International Speedway, the build is officially in its final stages.
FSAE’s engine dyno, where the team maximizes the output of the car’s engine.
RHBSSI sat down with Alex Daichendt, a senior electrical engineering major and FSAE’s chief engineer, to discuss the progress made this semester and the final preparations being made before the team makes the long trek up north next month.
“We ended up with a rolling car right at the beginning of spring break,” Daichendt said. “So, it was a really, really big accomplishment for us.”
With the base of the car completed prior to the break, the team was left to focus on putting together the mechanical and electrical components. With those additions completed, the team was able to begin testing the car and ensure it was up to snuff.
Following testing, the team went back to work, focusing on potential areas for improvement to make changes.
“There’s still plenty of work to do in regards to the suspension tuning,” Daichendt added. “Hopefully, we’re getting the full aero package on the car this week for this weekend for testing, so we can get everything dialed in and what we need to be.”
FSAE’s Tiger 26 is nearing completion, with the wrap of the team’s livery soon to be added.
With the build nearly completely put together, the finishing touches on the car will include applying the wrap of the car’s livery. Daichendt mentioned that the wrap will be in the team’s hands within the next two weeks, meaning it’ll be the end of finals before Tiger 26 reaches its final form. Daichendt added that isn’t a bad thing, though.
“It’ll really go on right before competition, which is completely fine with us,” Daichendt said about the wrap. “You know, less rock chips makes it look nice and pretty going into competition.”
With the car nearly complete, the team is focused on May 13, when Tiger 26 will hit the track at Michigan International Speedway for a multi-day competition against roughly 100 other schools from the United States and around the globe.
Of all the creatures on planet Earth, only humans are aware of their own mortality. It’s often a taboo subject in day-to-day life, but it’s especially sensitive in the world of motorsports. There’s an old adage in life that the good ones are taken way too soon, and the same could be said for motorsports. Two of the greatest racing drivers to have ever lived raced in two very different forms of motorsport — but their fates were all the same.
On March 30, RHBSSI Faculty Fellow Dr. Felipe Tobar and a colleague from the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department were published in the Routledge Handbook of Dark Events. Their chapter, titled “Death at play: Celebration and memorialisation of motorsport’s dead,” covers the public’s reactions to the deaths of Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna and NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt.
The chapter focuses on how the drivers are memorialized, both at the racetracks where they lost their lives and back in their respective hometowns. According to Dr. Tobar and Dr. Ramshaw, memorials at racetracks tend to be more somber, recognizing the dangers of motorsports. This contrasts with how the drivers are remembered in their hometowns. Compared with these memorials, others are more celebratory, focusing more on the lives the drivers lived and their identities.
Senna’s life was taken on May 1, 1994, during the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, Italy. At nearly 200 miles per hour, Senna’s car veered off track and slammed head-on into a concrete barrier. Upon being rushed to the hospital, Senna was declared dead shortly after, at just 34 years old. In just 10 full seasons in Formula 1, Senna had earned 41 race victories and three World Drivers’ Championships. His death remains one of the biggest “what ifs?” in racing history, as Senna likely had several more seasons ahead of him.
According to the chapter, Senna has been memorialized at Imola in various fashions. Notably, on the tenth anniversary of his death, there was a ceremonial lap around the circuit in one of Senna’s Formula 1 cars driven by one of his former teammates. Years later, on the 25th anniversary of Senna’s death, there was “a Catholic Mass at the Tamburello curve at 2 PM (the time and exact location of Senna’s fatal accident).” Additionally, there was an exhibition at the track featuring multiple of Senna’s former race cars. This contrasts with how Senna is remembered in his hometown of São Paulo, Brazil. Shortly after his death, the Brazilian government declared three days of national mourning, and his funeral was attended by more than three million people.
In the years since, Senna has been memorialized in numerous ways throughout São Paulo and the rest of the country. Notably, he has been recognized through the “naming of numerous racetracks, metro lines, bus stations, streets, neighborhoods, bridges and a federal highway.”
Following Senna’s death, in a twist of fate, Earnhardt would go on to win the NASCAR Winston Cup Series race later that day at Talladega. Upon exiting the car in victory lane, Earnhardt opened his post-race interview remembering Senna.
“I want to send our thoughts and prayers to the family of Ayrton Senna and all his fans,” Earnhardt said. “He was a great racer, and it’s a great shame to see him go as he did. You know, it’s tough.”
Less than a decade later, on February 18, 2001, Earnhardt was running third on the final lap of the Daytona 500. With half a lap to go, he sat behind two race cars he owned, including the No. 8 that was piloted by his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Attempting to fend off the rest of the pack for his drivers ahead of him, Earnhardt was turned at a high rate of speed into the turn four wall as the field raced towards the checkered flag. Earnhardt’s drivers would finish first and second, as his own car rolled down the banking and came to rest in the infield grass. Much like Senna, Earhardt was rushed to a local hospital and declared dead shortly after. In the moments following his death, NASCAR president Mike Helton made an announcement that brought the nation to a halt.
It was just five words, but they held a weight much heavier: “We have lost Dale Earnhardt.”
In the years since his death, Daytona has constructed a statue of Earnhardt winning the 1998 Daytona 500 near the track’s tour entrance, where fans often leave flowers and other memorabilia. Additionally, on years that align with the anniversary of Earnhardt’s death, fans in the stands hold out three fingers on the third lap of the event.
According to the chapter, the memorials throughout Earnhardt’s hometown of Kannapolis, North Carolina, are much more celebratory. Since 2023, the city has hosted an annual street race named the Earnhardt Outdoors Showdown. The chapter describes this as “hardly solemn,” as the event celebrates the legacy the driver left behind. Much like Daytona, Kannapolis has erected its own statue, but it is very different from the one on display at the speedway. The statue in Earnhardt’s hometown “features a statue of Earnhardt in Wrangler jeans, cowboy boots and a button‑up shirt rather than a racing suit” and is even often a site for wedding ceremonies. This exemplifies that the statue is much more celebratory than it is somber.
These variations in how drivers are memorialized showcase how hometowns mourn differently than a national audience. Regardless, whether the memorials be solemn as they are at the racetracks or celebratory as they are in the drivers’ hometowns, one thing remains certain: the lives and legacies of the drivers will forever be remembered.
The Clemson University community is invited to attend a landmark celebration of inclusive sport at the Clemson Paralympic Soccer Fest, to be held at the historic Riggs Field on April 25th. This event marks only the second time in U.S. college history that two Cerebral Palsy soccer teams have competed against each other in a university stadium.
Organized by the Clemson University Paralympic Soccer Program and presented by the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute, the event promises a full morning of engagement, inclusion, and community celebration.
The day will begin with a soccer clinic for children and youth with physical and intellectual disabilities from 8:00 AM to 9:20 AM, providing participants with an opportunity to learn, play, and connect in an empowering environment.
Following the clinic, fans and families can enjoy a wide range of interactive “soccer stations” leading up to kickoff, including:
Four-square fun
Soccer golf challenges
Immersive virtual reality soccer experiences
Jumbotron games
A themed photo station
Face painting
The featured match between Clemson University Paralympic Soccer and Cerebral Palsy All Stars will kick off at 11:00 AM, showcasing elite Cerebral Palsy soccer talent in a historic setting that continues Clemson’s tradition of leadership in sport and inclusion.
At halftime, attendees will be entertained by the Clemson Rally Cats, who will perform, engage with fans, and lead interactive experiences. Spectators will also enjoy giveaways and have the chance to participate in two public halftime games.
This event represents a unique opportunity for the Clemson community to support adaptive athletics, celebrate diversity in sport, and be part of a historic moment in U.S. collegiate soccer.
Admission is free and open to the public.
For more information, please contact the Clemson University Paralympic Soccer Program at @cuparasoccer on Instagram. The Clemson University Paralympic Soccer Program is part of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at the College of Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences.
Dr. Hardie sits with cohort members and South African leaders during the final Networking Day, where participants connected with key stakeholders in the sport-for-development space.
By Katie Gerbasich
In March, Dr. Ashlyn Hardie, Institute fellow from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, co-led the second cohort of Starting Block Accelerator in Cape Town, South Africa, with Dr. Per Svensson from Louisiana State University. This initiative is the first of its kind, designed to address the research-practice gap in cross-sector work while advancing research in the Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) sector.
Hardie describes this work in the SDP sector as “the intentional use of sport, recreation, play, and physical activity as a tool to achieve broader societal-level development goals. Often, those programmatic goals align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (known as the UN SDGs), and sport offers an alternative platform to tackle community issues.”
According to the UN General Assembly and the UN Action Plan governing bodies, sport is viewed as a powerful tool for addressing key issues such as social integration, physical health and wellness, gender equality, peacebuilding, crime prevention and the development of sustainable communities.
The Starting Block Accelerator is an initiative designed and implemented by Hardie and colleagues as a week-long capacity-building business accelerator program for sport-based nonprofits. Five leaders from organizations worldwide were invited to participate, each working directly with beneficiaries in their countries to tackle issues aligned with the UN SDGs.
Dr. Hardie leads the cohort through a research-based curriculum, equipping participants with practical insights to strengthen their organizations.
“We try very intentionally to have a really diverse group of participants in each cohort because we want them to speak to their experience with different types of funders, recreational tools and their experience navigating challenges in different countries on different continents, so they are not just learning from us but also from each other,” Hardie said.
The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute provided the initial seed funding in 2024 for the first-ever Starting Block Accelerator in London, England, enabling the team to gather preliminary data on the program’s effectiveness and secure support for this second round in Cape Town, South Africa.
This year’s cohort included organizations that utilize a variety of sports, including soccer, ultimate frisbee, mountain biking, wrestling and rugby, with participants representing those organizations from Brazil, Botswana, South Africa, the Czech Republic and India. Two of the five participants were female founders. One was recently named Vice President of the African Women in Sports Initiative, and the other was a former Brazilian Olympic wrestler.
The first three days of the Accelerator are curriculum-based, drawing on decades of sport-for-development research to create evidence-based pathways for management practices. For several reasons, research is challenging for practitioners to access and use. The objective of the Starting Block Accelerator is to support organizations through a research-backed curriculum that debunks misconceptions, provides networking opportunities and creates a collaborative learning environment.
“In the nonprofit world, people often rely on trial and error because they lack access to information, which can be expensive and time-consuming,” Hardie said. “We try to give them evidence-based strategies so they don’t have to just guess and repeat—research shows what is most likely to work.”
SDP leaders gather with Gorata Kgathi following her presentation on creating opportunities for women in rugby in Botswana.
On the final day of the workshop, participants attended a networking session where they practiced pitching their organizations to well-known stakeholders in the SDP sector. Cape Town is an established, global hub for SDP work. This location provided strong access to a network of established leaders in the sport-for-development space, offering valuable connections and feedback to the emerging organizations in this cohort.
Hardie spoke about the impact of the first Starting Block in London, just one year ago, stating: “We’ve had major milestones for last year’s participants either from the connections that they made out of the networking day last year or skills that they implemented from the training of the workshop. For example, multiple London participants have found new funding success over the last year, linking back to our grant writing workshop or networking day.”
Cape Town’s proximity to Mozambique also allowed Hardie to visit Lwandi Surf, a participant from the 2025 London cohort, where she gathered insights on the program’s long-term impact and next steps.
“We want to just keep empowering these organizations to really optimize whatever they’re trying to do for the people they’re trying to serve, with more financial sustainability and safety than they’re doing before.”
Hardie is also the Founder and Executive Director of the New Way Sport Fund, which provides unrestricted funding, alongside consultancy-supported funding, to selected organizations working toward sustainable solutions to organizational challenges.
“We’re not just going to buy soccer balls because they get lost or pop, “Hardie said. “But if you want to invest in something like solar panels, to solve an ongoing power issue, that’s a sustainable solution we want to help with, which a lot of funding mechanisms won’t allow.”
NWSF is funded for a 2nd cycle, with applications expected to open in mid-May of this year.
April 6 recently marked the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. Learn more about the role sport plays in driving social change here.
April 6 each year is National Student-Athlete Day. The Institute is proud to support Clemson student-athletes through the UPIC Beyond the Game program. Meet our spring interns and some of their colleagues from Clemson Athletics.
Malick Daouda
Sometimes being an athlete and a student at the same time can be overwhelming, but having a clear schedule and avoiding procrastination help me focus on both.
One lesson I learned is that details matter. When preparing for a game or a tournament, details like how much water you drink or what and when you eat can have a big influence on how you perform. This relates to everything in life, when you do something, make sure to do it right and to not cut corners.
Quantity is not always better than quality. With all the resources available to us here, I learned that having a structured workout plan that focuses on your personal weaknesses is better than working twice as hard as you normally would, but without the structure that can help you to truly progress without increasing the injury risk
Kevin Collins
UPIC Beyond the Game Intern
Balancing academics and athletics comes down to time management, discipline, and priorities. As a student-athlete, I treat school as part of my sport. I plan my day ahead, using a schedule that blocks out time for classes, practice, studying, and recovery. I also try to stay ahead on assignments, so I am not overwhelmed during competition weeks. Communication is important too, especially with professors and coaches. At the end of the day, I remind myself that being a student comes first, and athletics is an opportunity that supports my education.
One major lesson I have learned from sports is the importance of consistency and proper fueling. Nutrition plays a big role in performance, and I have learned that what I put into my body affects my energy, focus, and recovery. That same idea applies to school, because if I am not taking care of my body, I cannot perform well academically either. Also, being in a structured training environment has taught me accountability and discipline. Showing up every day, even when I do not feel like it, has helped me stay consistent with my studying and with handling life’s responsibilities.
One important sports science lesson every student-athlete should know is the importance of recovery. Many younger athletes focus only on training hard, but recovery is just as important as the workout itself. This includes sleep, hydration, stretching, and rest days. Without proper recovery, the body cannot repair itself, increasing the risk of injury and decreasing performance. Understanding this early can help athletes have longer careers and perform at a higher level.
Aniyah Kitt
To me, being a student-athlete means balancing my performance on the track and in my studies. Having discipline and time management has been a huge factor in my ability to excel in both worlds.
One of my most memorable moments was my freshman year at the ACC Indoor Championship. This is when the women’s team became the Indoor Champions, and I became the 200m ACC Indoor Champion. I remember the rush of adrenaline I had and the feeling of joy and accomplishment. Knowing that not only the team’s efforts but mine as well were worth it. It felt surreal, and I was very grateful to share the experience with my teammates.
Some of the biggest lessons I have learned from sports are discipline and accountability. Being part of a team environment has taught me accountability because, although track is more of an individual sport, I still represent my team and work with them toward a common goal: winning. This mindset has helped me become more responsible and take ownership of my actions in everyday life, such as setting high expectations for myself in my schooling. I have also learned the importance of consistency and recovery. Being disciplined and taking care of my body properly after training is essential to performing at my maximum capacity while staying healthy and efficient. This includes proper hydration, sleep, and nutrition. Overall, these habits have helped me not only in my sport but also in maintaining balance and focus in other areas of my life.
I use sports science to track my splits in practice and on film and identify areas for improvement and error. This allows me to identify what I need to keep doing and working towards, and what I need to fix and strengthen. This can also be applied in the weight room to track my progression and strength. All this data helps me become the best version of myself and compete at a high level.
Daniel Kidd
Being a student-athlete means operating at a high level in multiple demanding environments simultaneously: academics, athletics and professionally while maintaining discipline, accountability, and consistency every day. It’s about managing time effectively, staying mentally resilient, and showing up even when it’s difficult.
One of my most memorable experiences was competing after working through an Achilles injury. That moment reinforced what being a truly student-athlete means to me: trusting the process, staying disciplined in recovery, and still performing under pressure. It wasn’t just about the race, but about overcoming adversity and executing when it mattered.
I use:
Split times and race modeling to assess efficiency across each segment (e.g., 0–30m, 30–80m, 80–200m)
Strength and power metrics in the weight room (force production, explosiveness)
Recovery data like soreness, fatigue, and training load to avoid overtraining
Biomechanics (posture, stride frequency, ground contact) to improve efficiency
For example, I’ve focused on staying patient through 0-30m and hitting top speed later in the race, which has directly improved my performance. Data allows me to train with intention rather than just effort.
One key lesson is: recovery is just as important as training.
Many younger athletes think improvement comes only from pushing harder, but performance actually improves during recovery. Without proper recovery, like sleep, mobility and nutrition, you increase injury risk and limit performance gains.
Understanding load management, listening to your body, and prioritizing recovery strategies (like mobility work and proper warm-ups) is what allows you to stay consistent and improve long-term.
Shanque Williams
UPIC Beyond the Game Intern
Honestly, it’s not always easy. Some days I feel like I’m rushing from class straight to practice and then trying to finish work late at night. What helps me is staying organized and not procrastinating, because once you fall behind, it gets stressful fast. Being a student-athlete has forced me to be more disciplined with my time. I’ve learned how to prioritize what needs to get done, even when I’m tired. It’s definitely a grind, but it’s made me more responsible overall.
I don’t always think about it as “sports science” in the moment, but I use it a lot without realizing it. For example, I pay attention to my times, how I feel during workouts, and how my body responds after practice. If something feels off, I know I need to adjust—whether that’s getting more rest, eating better, or changing how I train. Even small things like focusing on my form or recovery can make a big difference. It’s about training smarter, not just going hard every day.
One thing I wish more athletes understood is how important recovery is. A lot of people think working harder every day will automatically make you better, but that’s not always true. If you’re not getting enough sleep or taking care of your body, your performance is going to drop. I’ve learned that rest days, stretching, and even just listening to your body are just as important as practice. Taking care of yourself is what helps you stay consistent and improve.
Shantae Foreman
Balancing academics and athletics takes extreme discipline and focus. You have to make a lot of sacrifices: put aside a lot of things in terms of enjoyment and going out with friends; put your academics and your mental health first.
To be honest, nutrition. I had to change my diet, where and how I eat, the amount I eat, and the time I eat, and it was really challenging. But if I were younger and knew it would affect how I perform, I would have looked into it more.
