Entrepreneur Spencer Schar is a keen sportsman, having played lacrosse through college. This article will explore some of the most important benefits of playing sports in college, from improving students’ health and fitness to enhancing their leadership skills, expanding their networks, and ultimately boosting their career prospects.
Fitness
One of the principal motivations for people to play sports is to help them stay in shape. Many people find the notion of dragging themselves to the gym unappealing, bored by trudging away on the treadmill. However, sports motivate players through camaraderie and competition, incentivizing participants to push themselves harder and perform better to avoid letting their teammates down. The attached infographic provides some interesting statistics on the most popular sports in the United States today.
Contacts
Students may mingle in class and during other extracurricular activities, but sports bring people together in a unique way, helping participants to meet new people and forge tightknit groups and friendships. Many college graduates cite the relationships they form during their years at university as some of their most important and enriching relationships, while retired athletes often reminisce about their time at college, competing with and against the people they were closest to. The attached video takes a closer look at the scope of sports to help participants strengthen bonds within their own social group.
Leadership
To serve effectively as captain of a college team, an individual needs to possess the charisma necessary to persuade others to follow. Playing college sports helps students to develop valuable leadership, communication, and management skills that could prove incredibly useful in their future career.
Expanding Interests
For students who develop a passion for a particular sport from an early age, that passion is all-consuming. As a result, many players regard high school academics as merely an impediment hindering them from competing athletically at university. Once enrolled at school, however, students often find other subjects that pique their interest. In reality, most college athletes will not go on to make a career out of their sport. It is therefore vital for them to find other interests that can either become enjoyable hobbies or help them to forge a rewarding career path.
In addition, student athletes often travel the country and even internationally, experiencing situations they would not otherwise. This helps to open them up to diverse places, experiences, and people, widening their outlook and opportunities in the process. The attached PDF explores the benefits of travel for young people in more detail.