Seeing several Colorado Academy alumni who visited over the holiday break, I wondered how our CA alums that pursued athletic endeavors in college reflect on that experience. Each year, approximately ten percent of CA seniors commit to play at the college level.

Making the choice to compete at the college level is exciting. It means that student has passion for a sport, that he or she enjoys camaraderie of a team, and is prepared for the work required to play at the next level. Whether at the Division I, II, or III level, being a member of a college team is a commitment and bond that instantaneously connects one with a peer group. There are trips, training sessions, study sessions, games and weight room work that differentiate the student -athletes. There are highs and lows, wins and losses, and the opportunity to represent your institution and community on a national stage that is public and unique. Mandy Weeks CA ’14, attends Tufts University and has been a member of the Jumbos field hockey program for the past two seasons. She was part of winning three state championships during her time at CA, one in soccer and two in field hockey. She says, “The athletic work load (at Tufts) isn’t very different from that at CA; my team practices for two and a half hours every night in season and then has games on weekends. The biggest change was incorporating film watching and lift into the game, and that’s what really takes it to the next level.” Weeks says the biggest difference between high school and college athletics is, “Everyone is really good; on our team (Tufts) every spot is fought for. Each fall, our coach cuts at least four players, which really pushes us to work hard.”

 

Jack Thomas CA ’14, who is unique in that he plays two sports, soccer and lacrosse, at Denison University, echoes Weeks’s thoughts about the competition and level of play and adds, “In both soccer and lacrosse the athletes (in college) have all played the sport at a high level, and in order to keep up, it is important to play at a fast pace.” CA coaches are exemplary in their desire to stay current within their game and they are all comfortable with pushing their charges to play fast and with intensity during practices and games. Thomas attributes the coaching he received at CA with the success he is having at the collegiate level.

 

“Athletically, I know I have already received some of the best coaching possible (in high school) and have been taught everything I need to know to be successful (in college).”

 

Thomas’s success at CA was exemplary: he was a two-time state champion and an All-American as a goalkeeper for the Mustang soccer program. He was also a First Team, All-State attack man for the Mustang lacrosse team, which traditionally is a top team in Colorado. Thomas continues, “CA does an outstanding job of teaching student-athletes how to balance their academics with their athletics commitments.”

 

Trevor Pratt CA ’14, who has done extremely well as a lacrosse defenseman for Division III powerhouse Cortland State, comments, “CA helped me the most with managing my time at college and being independent. There is a lot of free time in college, and CA prepped me to use these free hours productively.” Pratt was a member of the soccer, basketball, and lacrosse teams while at CA. Pratt helped the basketball team make its first trip in school history to the Colorado Basketball State Championship competition his senior year. It’s a big jump from high school to college athletics for most. Pratt says, “The biggest difference is the athleticism and speed of the game. In college you play against fullgrown 22-year-old men as opposed to high school where people are still growing.”

 

Julia Murphy CA ’15, who matriculated at Dickinson College, weighed

in recently about her experiences as a first-year field hockey player for the Red Devils: “I am grateful for everything I learned at CA because it has already contributed greatly to my success here at Dickinson. I was named Rookie of the Year for field hockey and selected as a member of the Liberty Cap Society (honorary leadership group).”

 

Murphy, who started 17 out of 18 games this past fall for the Dickinson field hockey team adds, “CA taught me how to manage a rigorous work load with sports, clubs, and extra-curricular activities.”

 

Finally, the commitment to competing at a high level is critical to succeeding both in high school and college. At CA, most coaches realize there is a difference between competing and playing. Competing means you are fully invested and willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the team. Playing is more of a recreational thing, something you do in your spare time. Competing means you are committed to the journey, your team, teammates, and coaches. You are fully invested and bought in.

 

The idea of committing to a team forces athletes to learn time management and making choices. Athletics are an important piece of a student’s education at CA. While the drive to consistently compete for league and state titles is exciting and galvanizing for the CA community, it is the process and journey that student-athletes undertake during a season or career that pays academic, social, and emotional dividends far beyond their time here at CA.