Balancing late-night homework, early morning practices, weekend games, and everyday teenage life isn’t easy, but it’s the reality for many student-athletes at Union Catholic and other high schools. Athletes’ commitment to sports is often celebrated on the field or court, but the challenges they face behind the scenes, such as balancing homework due the same night as a big game, managing stress, and still finding time for themselves, are intense. By hearing directly from student-athletes and the adults who support them worldwide, we can gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to balance both roles successfully.
While on the field or court, student-athletes often appear to have it all under control. Yet, behind every game is a teenager juggling practice, classes, homework, recovery, and personal life. According to the NCAA, the Graduation Success Rate for Division 1 student-athletes is about 90%, indicating that many excel in both areas. Research shows that individuals who balance both roles and identify as both students and athletes tend to exhibit higher performance, motivation, and satisfaction.
At UC, dozens of students commit to varsity sports each year. So, how do they manage the demands of intense training, academic expectations, and simply being a teenager?
Many student-athletes say time management is key. “I’ve definitely had to learn how to plan out my days,” said Sophie Peterson, a junior soccer player on varsity. “There are times I’m doing homework at midnight after a game or studying on the bus ride back.”
Senior captain Mollie Pickel of the varsity team, who wakes up at 6 a.m. for conditioning and studies late into the evening, added, “It’s not easy, but you figure it out.”
Others rely on support from coaches and teachers, who often make accommodations for late-night games or travel teams. “We try to remind our athletes that school has to come first,” said girls’ varsity soccer coach Mike Walch. “They’re committed, but we don’t want them burning out either.”
Still, it’s not something people often discuss. Many athletes feel pressure to act like they’re fine all the time. “Everyone sees you out there on the court, but they don’t see the stress behind it,” said Angelina Corvalan, an ex-varsity UC volleyball player. “It’s hard to admit when you’re struggling, especially when you’re supposed to be the ‘strong one.’ That’s why most schools, including ours, are taking mental health and balance more seriously. Even just having these conversations helps.”
Despite these challenges, most student-athletes say they wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. “Yeah, it’s exhausting sometimes,” said Mollie Pickel ’26. “But I’ve grown a lot through it. You learn things like how to manage your time, discipline, and how to push through when things get tough.”
In the end, it’s not just about winning games; it’s about becoming stronger through everything it takes to play and keep up on and off the field.
