We wanted to take this opportunity to educate the Australian business community- and whoever else is willing to listen, exactly what a student athlete is in the US college system and why this makes them an invaluable asset to any team in a business setting.

Student athletes are potentially some of the most overlook prospects for the business world. On a yearly basis, there are hundreds of Australian student athletes graduating from the US college system. These include Basketballers, Baseballers, Volleyballers, Softballers, Footballers, Soccer players, Water polo players, Hockey players, fencers, Wrestlers, Lacrosse players, Gymnasts, Rowers, Tennis players, Track and field athletes, Swimmers, Divers…you name it, there’s an Aussie who’s doing it.

Although it’s an amateur competition because athletes are also studying a 4 year degree, the athletic competition is considered the best in the world. The level of competition/coaching, access to funding/resources, and the ability to receive a free education (from scholarship) attracts the best athletes globally aged 18-23.

If the pressure of expectation to excel in the classroom wasn’t enough by having to maintain a certain GPA (grade point average) to keep their scholarship and be eligible to play, as well as studying full time, student-athletes are also training full time too.

Their schedule makes me tired just writing it down for this article, a typical day would like look:

6:00am-7:30am- Training

8:00am-1:30pm- Class

1:30-2:30pm- Weights

3:00-4:00pm- Class

5:00-6:30pm- Training

7:30-9:30pm- Study Hall

Repeat

…and please, don’t even make me explain what pre-season looks likes!

From a sporting performance point of view, the pressure and expectation doesn’t waiver either. They’re competing against each other in front of crowds of 20,000+ people, and all games are filmed and streamed on national/international TV. The NCAA generates billions of dollars each year in ticket sales, TV deals and merchandise. Their facilities are better than most pro sports facilities, and student-athletes are truly treated like they are professionals being paid the big bucks- because from the college’s point of view, they are. Full ride scholarships are valued anywhere between $350,000-$550,000 depending on the school.The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

So, you’re probably wondering. After 4 years what’s the end result?

The athletes probably don’t realise it at the time, but those 4 years of full-on scheduling, high pressure environments, expectations, hard work, chasing KPI’s and goals, resilience, teamwork, and commitment have basically made them a superhuman. These high performing habits simply don’t just go away once they leave college, they have become so drilled into them in order to thrive at college, it becomes a part of their genetic makeup and the way they function their day to day life.

What athletes choose to do after their 4 years at college is up to them, and depends on many varying factors:

– They may have a crack at breaking into professional leagues

– Injury might force them to come back home earlier than they wanted

– They might choose to step back from their athlete life and pursue another career

Regardless of which avenue they choose, it’s guaranteed these high performing habits will follow them into their next chapter of life and make them an incredible addition to any team, no matter the environment.

If your business would like to meet these incredible superhuman graduates, get in touch with us to discuss potential opportunities.