Since I’ve started at Delta in 2023, as a student-athlete, one of the things I found is important is the support of the staff and the coaches who have given me keys to open new doors like trying new sports.
The reason I did that was because of the mass amount of support coming from the coaching staff to be okay with not beginning the greatest. Before I got to Delta, I had never ran track before or even had thought about doing so.
Last year, before my first-year football season here at Delta, I was suggested by my football coaches to train with the track team.
Coach Les Anthony III told me how he could see the work I put in to translate to the football field for my first year as well as how he was excited about what I could do for the track team potential.
Being a two-sport athlete in junior college is often viewed as a challenge that requires a great amount of balancing time management, discipline and mental strength but it offers many rewards.
First, the ability to compete in two different sports allows students to develop a wider skillset, improve athletic performance, and meet other students participating in the sports, which helps build community.
Athletes involved in multiple sports are well-rounded on and off the field and begin to be held to a higher standard more often than not reminded they are the biggest representation of not only the school but the San Joaquin County as well as family names.
Zoom Wilson, my football teammate who plays starting guard, last year was named All-Conference first team for his efforts in football, now making waves in shot put hitting State A standards in only his second meet of this season.
When asked about the biggest overlap between two sports, he said “The weight room for sure has helped in both throwing and on the football field as well as the friendships.” Said Wilson
By participating in different words athletes develop a wider range of skills that are adaptable and beneficial for overall athletic and career path.
Cameron Johnson is another football player that also participates in track here at Delta.
“I feel like it will give me more of an opportunity to be recruited by the four-year schools. Playing two sports also allows me to get more scouts for more than just one sport,” Johnson said.
A two-sport commitment pushes students to develop better time skills managing the schedule of two teams along with academic and social commitments. This helps prepare athletes for the professional environment, particularly since multitasking and time management are essential for success in more than just just sports.
The structure of two-sport athletes tend to have a higher graduation rate and academic standing compared to non-athletes.
One more benefit that stands out is the increased exposure to scouts and recruiting for two-sport athletes.
They often served as a springboard or early group of people that are scouted to larger programs and universities.
When you excel in two sports, athletes can get exposure and increase your chances of receiving scholarships, offers and professional opportunities even if one sport is not successful as the other multiple sports allow you to highlight to a variety of coaches and teams.
This opens doors that may not have been available if you were only to focus on one sport. In conclusion, being a two-sport athlete offers many unexpected advantages and enhances physical and mental growth, while improving academic performance.
