Over academic breaks student athletes must continually pursue schedules of athletic rigor in order to remain competitive.
By Lisa McMahan
Fall break beckons students to take a week off from the stress and worries of school, but it hardly ever feels entirely free of responsibilities. Some feel pressured to see distant relatives. Some are expected to read textbook chapters. Others must continue their athletic schedules.
UP athletics take place in different seasons, but many teams were unable to let their players take an entire week off from their sport.
Take women's soccer, for example. The team traveled to California for conference action versus Pepperdine in Malibu on Oct. 16, and against Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles two days later.
The following weekend, they hosted two home games against St. Mary's and University of San Francisco on Oct. 23 and 25.
Because sports like soccer, cross country and volleyball have their regular seasons during the fall, it's not unexpected that they might have to sacrifice their fall break.
"We didn't get to enjoy much time off," Head Volleyball Coach Joe Houck wrote in an e-mail.
His team had daily practices and home matches on Oct. 22 and 24. Awarding the women with an entire week off was not an option.
"As entertainers, we accept that we need to be ready to roll on evenings and weekends," Houck wrote.
Even athletes who have not yet started competing in conference play this year might be expected to stay on campus and work out. Junior Sandra Jefferies, who plays golf for the Pilots, had practice until last Tuesday.
"We were free to go home from Wednesday until Sunday," she said.
The women's golf team has already attended invitationals in Oregon and Washington this year, but the West Coast Conference championships do not take place until April.
Jefferies did not mind staying put in Portland for a few days because she lives an hour away in Hood River, and was able to go home after official practices ended.
"It's always better to practice with your teammates because if you go home, you don't have that same competitiveness and might not even have to space to play," Jefferies said. "We're okay with putting the time in because we're trying to get better."
Ian Solof, head coach of women's cross country and track and field, let his team go home or travel from Oct. 17 to Oct 22.
"As with most pursuits, it all depends on how successful you want to be," Solof wrote in an e-mail. "If someone is being paid a large scholarship, they are obligated to work hard and be committed to their team."
Junior basketball player Jasonn Hannibal also believes that required practices over the break are beneficial in the long run.
He usually stays on campus for breaks, attending both sessions of summer school and remaining in Portland over Christmas break, celebrating the holidays with his teammates instead of at home in Toronto.
"We get together and tell each other 'Merry Christmas,'" Hannibal said.
With their first exhibition game scheduled for Oct. 29, his team practiced twice a day over fall break with regular weightlifting sessions.
"While I'm sure many athletes and coaches would prefer longer breaks, they understand staying here is part of the deal," Head Women's Basketball Coach Jim Sollars wrote in an e-mail.
Those athletes who were able to spend fall break as they liked, however, might be obligated to stay on campus or travel for competition over spring break instead.
Junior Riley Henricks, who plays baseball, has been practicing with the team this year but was able to go home to Seattle for fall break. When school resumed, however, winter workouts began.
"It just depends if you're off-season," Henricks said.
While he does miss home, especially after being away to play baseball through the summer, Henricks admits that staying in Portland for sports is different than staying in Portland to attend classes.
"You're here, you don't have to worry about school but still get to play baseball - it's kind of fun," Henricks said.
Because athletes are relieved of the stress of classes, they are free to focus entirely on their practices and competitions.
Hannibal believes not having classes helps him get through the week. "It's less of a break, but it still feels like a break," he said.
