The busyness of the Samford life seems to never slow down for the average student. For an athlete, busyness is only the beginning of what their schedule looks in season.
Classes Monday through Friday, practicing each day, but on traveling weeks, leaving Wednesday. This means trying to find time to do homework between games. Coming back from traveling, waking up and doing it all again.
Most athletes get some time off this schedule, but dual-sport athletes have to accommodate multiple seasons of sports.
Martha Bishop, a sophomore student athlete for both Women’s Basketball and Soccer, has learned how to manage her busy schedule while several things compete for her time and energy.
Initially, she signed as a soccer player for Samford but has recently signed on to play for the women’s basketball team as well.
When she decided she was up for the challenge last November, Bishop reached out to the basketball coaching staff to see if it was even a possibility for her to join the team.
She was able to have the opportunity for an individual workout with the basketball coaches.
The workout which Bishop described as “nerve-racking,” scored her an invitation to stay over winter break and practice with the team and eventually led to a spot on the team.
Since her addition to the team, she has gotten playing time in a couple of games.
“This is a semester of development and growth for basketball,” said Bishop.
Although basketball is considered a winter sport and soccer a fall sport, there are about three weeks of overlap which is tough for her.
“I want to be at everything,” Bishop said, but the team in season takes precedence for her schedule.
Bishop has committed to being at every basketball practice while they are in season and only going to soccer two to three times a week.
“It’s a challenge for me mentally, not being there with the team,” Bishop said about soccer practice.
Being a dual sport athlete, the coaching staff has to trust that she is putting in the work even when Bishop is not at every practice.
“Playing with Martha is always the most intense workout. She is so competitive and knowing she is juggling two sports and still giving all her effort, makes the team want to give more effort,” said Annessa Shively, a teammate on the soccer team.
Bishop has started to pick up on the differences of playing basketball and soccer since becoming a dual sport athlete.
“Basketball is more mechanical and scripted while soccer breeds creativity and freedom,” Bishop said.
Being a part of two different teams, she has noticed that each team has different types of mentalities and personalities, but both have a desire to win.
With sports and school being her main time commitment, she has to rely on the Lord and her friends when times are hard.
Bishop tries to keep her routine by journaling and praying more, even when she feels overwhelmed, because she said:
“The Lord opened this door for a reason.”
Staff Writer
