By So Nishikawa, Sam Drake & Cooper Wild
College is an unforgettable adventure that prepares students for life after they complete that adventure. Some students, in particular, have a big change to make after college. Student athletes can go from having their everyday lives focused on learning and getting better at their sport to something that is completely different. The Fourth Estate spoke to student athletes at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB). Kendall Renard, who graduated in the spring 2024 commencement, is a women’s basketball student athlete who plans to start a career in nursing, along with Hesron Barry who graduated from UWGB and now plays professional soccer for the New England Revolution, and Michael McDougall who graduated from UWGB in 2022 when he played for the Men’s Soccer team. Where are they now after graduation?
Being a student athlete at the college level can be an experience that can have long-lasting effects on someone’s life. When asked about experiences that can help in the future, Barry said, “Now being a professional soccer player, my hard work and dedication throughout my college career has helped me get to where I am today. I wouldn’t say I have a certain skill or quality, but I believe that getting up every morning and giving 100% to training was something I developed throughout my time in college.” Hard work was mentioned again when Renard was asked the same; she said, “Teamwork, leadership, communication, hard work, and dedication are just a few of the things I have in my toolbox because of athletics. As a new graduate nurse, I can bring those skills into my workplace and to my patients.” Another thing athletes mentioned was routine. McDougall said, “I have a good routine just like what I had in college. I am really organized, and that was being in college.”
When talking to college athletes, they find it hard not to mention memories. These students all went through full college careers and had many achievements and memories that they will say they will cherish throughout their entire lives. Renard said, “Being a part of conference championships and the NCAA tournament is a memory I will have for life. As a young player, you dream that one day you could achieve that level of success. It’s an experience few people can say they had in their life, and I’m happy I got to be a part of it.” Big accomplishments is one thing that all three of these athletes remember most about their careers. McDougall said, “My memorable experience was when I scored my first collegiate goal. This was because in a different country and environment, I thought I would struggle a lot, but being able to score my first goal meant that I was fitting in with the coach’s play style and life in the U.S.” Along with McDougall sharing his personal achievement, Barry was also proud of himself for what he accomplished at UWGB. Barry said, “The memories I have are Winning Horizon League Defender of the Year twice and being selected to be an All-American was a big achievement.” These athletes were proud of their accomplishments and the stories they have to share.
Being a student athlete is not all fun and memorable, but it is also very challenging. These challenges can be tough to overcome, but it can be very rewarding, keeping consistent with the spirit of the university. McDougall shared some advice that he felt would be impactful, saying “My advice is to enjoy being in college. Towards the end of my college days, I was ready to be done, but now that I am. I sometimes miss memories, including homework and exams, living with teammates and making memories. I am grateful that I went to college.” Renard spoke on the difficulties of being a student athlete. “The long hours, hard workouts, and countless practices should be fun at the end of the day. Make sure you surround yourself with people who support you on and off the court. Ask the questions that are important to you when choosing a college or AAU program, and you will have a great experience,” Renard said. Barry was similar in his advice when he said, “It is extremely important to put your head down and work, but it is just as important to enjoy being in college. It is so easy to get lost in schoolwork and training that you forget that you are still in college. Have fun whilst working hard.” These students have one major thing in common, and that is the competitive spirit, hard work, and love for the games that they played. Although they played different sports, Renard, Barry, and McDougall all have experiences that will help guide them for the rest of their lives.
