Playing a sport at the collegiate level is never categorized as easy. Juggling academic and athletic commitments can be difficult by themselves. That does not mention the extracurricular activities and social life, which can be very overwhelming on top of all of the student-athlete’s responsibilities. With over 300 athletes at Asbury University, about half of those are female.
The athletic department has just recently welcomed a new group for female athletes. Last year, Kelsey Lang, associate head athletic trainer, created the group based on her own experiences in the training room.
“The Women’s Student-Athlete Support Initiative was originally created to build a sense of community within the female student-athlete,” Lang said. “I felt like too often I would see female student-athletes in the training room say, ‘I know her, but I’ve never talked to her.’”
The goal of the group is to find common ground across different sports.
“I felt like too often we get separated into our teams a little bit too much, and it was just a great idea to get us in the same room and realize that we aren’t all that different,” Lang said.
It has been a positive experience for women who have been attending since the group was created. It became a safe place for female student-athletes to escape all of their other responsibilities.
“Last year I was injured and out for the season, just kind of a different perspective being on the sidelines and not necessarily being there for all the little things when you’re on the court,” said Celia Pelfrey, WSASI devotional writer. “So this group was just kind of a great way to get my mind off those things and have other people around me to support me.”
Competing in college athletics has many challenges. This helps women bridge the gap between their sports and their emotional well-being.
“As an athlete, to be able to support each other and relate on a different level, like emotionally, and get to see those people outside of sports,” Pelfrey said.
Attending the group offers female student-athletes to bond with one another, find a sense of community outside of their sport, and also hear from guest speakers. The speakers are always someone who has been in their shoes in some form or fashion. They share their testimonies, devotional and even offer life advice.
The group just recently had its kickoff event on Oct. 29. The event was held in the Luce Team Suite with special guest speaker Kali Kells, the assistant coach for women’s basketball. She discussed the opportunities that come from college athletics and finding one’s identity outside of your sport.
WSASI’s next event will be a yoga night on Nov. 12.
Article written by Spencer Harvey.