STUDENT-athletes from any school and any league at any level need to perform a balancing act — blurring the line between their responsibilities as a student and an athlete.
And in the title itself, 'student' comes first before 'athlete.'
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Recently, the longstanding discourse on so-called 'special treatment' and 'leniency' toward student-athletes re-emerged through an anonymous social media post. The post advocated for prioritizing academic achievement over success in sports.
"I understand that school spirit is important and improves the image of the university. But, giving student-athletes too much leniency when they barely perform well in their academics is just unfair to other students that actually work hard," the Facebook post read.
Ateneo's freshman player and former Gilas Pilipinas standout, Mason Amos, along with Ben Phillips, who is pursuing a doctoral program with his basketball and volleyball careers, addressed an online assertion by sharing their personal experiences of balancing the demanding roles of being both student-athletes.
Amos' fellow Blue Eagle Josh Lazaro responded directly under the comment section of the Facebook post in which he underscored how for some student-athletes, 'their sport is their way of life and a means to support themselves and their families.'
"It's so unfair to say that student-athletes are being treated with more leniency when they live their whole college lives dealing with the fact na if they don't perform well in both academics and in sports, hindi sila makakalaro, and to some athletes, their sport is their way of life and a means to support themselves and their families.
"Hindi naman biro yung Ateneo education, and that, alongside hectic training schedules and games are what student-athletes have to endure. Some student-athletes brave long tests right after their games, and no matter what happens sa games, the deadlines would still be there, and it won't just disappear so it's just like how it is for you," Lazaro said.
"Not everyone can afford Ateneo education the way you can, and to say that to athletes who have to deal with acads just like you alongside the 4+ hours they have to spend for trainings daily, just to be able to have the same opportunities as you is a very privileged way to look at things," he added.
Growing pains
In a 2020 publication from the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication's Tinig ng Plaridel, authored by individuals who are currently part of the SPIN.ph team, the pre-existing challenges faced by student-athletes became more formidable and burdensome amid the pandemic.
And the scars of such wounds inflicted by a difficult period are still felt to this day.
“The team faces a lot of challenges as this pandemic continues to grow. A lot of them suffer financially and mentally as they face the new normal (…) some of them choose to work to provide for their family.
"It will really be a big challenge for everyone going through online learning to attend classes regularly due to (Internet) connectivity issues. In most cases, only those living in the Metro have access to fast and consistent internet connection. Those living in far-flung areas will definitely have a problem when it comes to connectivity,” then-UP Men's Volleyball Team captain Ruskin Ijiran said in the report.
"The most difficult thing that I experienced this quarantine as a student-athlete is that I need to make sure that my body and mind is still in condition to play volleyball because I can’t play and do training with the team,” he said.
Former head coach Rald Ricafort added: "‘Pag nag-oonline training kami, phone ‘yung gamit. ‘Yung iba, ‘di makasali kasi limited na limited ‘yung resources.”
The bigger battle off the court
Whether it's a sprawling institution or a more modest educational setting, every student-athlete dedicates themselves to training, laboring, and persevering with a clear purpose.
Some strive to realize their dreams and aspirations, while others find fulfillment in simply living and providing for their families and personal well-being.
As the day concludes, one might ponder whether student-athletes truly receive what some label as 'special treatment' due to the pride, honor, and success they contribute to the school they represent.
Nevertheless, it is undeniable that student-athletes approach every game, training session, and class with unwavering dedication, wearing their hearts on their sleeves and maintaining a distinct focus on their personal motivations for persistently training, passionately working, and wholeheartedly fighting.
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