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The Essence Of Being A Student-Athlete - Jan 24, 2006
posted by: Josh
Rutgers sophomore guard Essence Carson is a bit of a Renaissance woman, excelling on the court, in the classroom and on the stage. A starter in all 16 games this season, she ranks second on the team in minutes (32.9 per game), chipping in 7.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per contest. For her career, Carson has started 39 of 51 games and has averaged 6.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest, posting 13 double-digit scoring games, three double-digit rebounding games and one double-double. Away from the court, she was a straight-A student at the Rosa Parks School for the Fine and Performing Arts, and competed athletically at Eastside High School. A gifted musician, she plays the piano, bass guitar, drums and saxophone, and is majoring in music at Rutgers. "Collegiate basketball has evolved into a world of its own. As high school athletes learn what it is to have an extended season, composed of long road trips, extensive 25-page papers, and those oh-so-dreadful heart-breaking season enders, veterans scrap for the picture-perfect victory in an NCAA national championship game. From each team across the nation there is one common denominator; hard-work. As hard work graces the floor of every NCAA team, its grit flows through the veins of the toughest competitor. Who dares to ask the question, 'Do you work hard enough?' "At Rutgers, academic excellence is understood to be a part of the norm. As road trips entail physical exhaustion and a mind that is so bogged down with the academic pressures of a professor, you fight to make it through each day. Will you settle for less - what we like to call mere crumbs - or will you strive to be atop the mountain? Every scholar-athlete understands the necessary time management skills that are needed to balance out the life of the scholar and of the athlete. So essentially, at the end of the day, our minds have endured a workout much more strenuous than that of any professional athlete. We are the nation’s 'professional scholars.' "It’s game day and the time on the clock slowly ticks. You define each of your movements within your mind before the game actually begins. As you suit up for battle you study your enemy. The floor becomes your battlefield and the game a war between two competitors. Silently smiling, knowing what is to come, you pick apart each and every possible tactic you will encounter within the next 40 minutes. You realize that it has evolved from being a game to a battle of pride, ethic, and will…never talent. The blood, sweat, and tears that are shed throughout the season represent the sacrifices you’ve made. It was never about you, it was never about I…it is we. As you fall, there will be a teammate there to catch you, help you up, and dust you off. A new season has begun and now it is a fight to the top. Each team will now scrap, fight, and battle to prove to the nation why they are considered the best at what they do. The road to glory has never been easy. As we now embark on another Big East season, we understand the road will seem even longer and more strenuous. Nevertheless, it is time to “lace em’ up” and step on the floor…the battlefield. The battle begins and hard work shows its face again, but only the true warriors survive. We’ve come too far to look back now." 
CommentsEssence is the ideal role model for a renaissance woman. Not only is she a fantastic athlete, but she is gifted artistically in her music and writing. She wrote a beautiful diary entry for about her U-19 experience this summer when her team won a gold medal in Tunesia. She played piano for the ambassador of Tunesia. She has a wonderful work ethic and ability to manage her time. We are proud to have her at Rutgers. I don't know Essence but her writing is impressive and her comments are well worth sharing with others. "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." Vince Lombardi said it, but it was in the context of professional football. It's great to win at any level, but in every sports event there is a winning team and a losing team. Yes there's the, "thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat." But for all student-athletes -- win or lose -- there is always the thrill and glory of simply playing the game. Most important, as in life off the field, there is always the team. Essence Carson, a sophomore guard at Rugters University, majoring in music, is a role model for every student athlete. Through hard work at the Rosa Parks School for the Fine and Performing Arts, she ended up receiving a 4.0, straight A's, while still competing at Eastside High School. Also in her very busy schedule, she plays the piano and drums. It takes hard work and determination, just not playing the sport, but also keeping your grades up so that you can play the sport. You have to be very dedicated! I couldn't even keep my grades up in high school while playing sports, imagine if I played sports in college. Anyone that works that hard to play something they love is a role model to me. I respect every student athlete that does this... Also, she has the discipline to be a team player and just not build up her stats because she can. Essence, along with the entire Rutgers women's basketball team, is a true inspiration. Essence stands out with a type of maturity that can only be acquired by being in control of all aspects of her life. Essence is a great student athlete and a wonderful role model. Essence Carson and the thousands of student athletes across the country face challenges in and out of the classroom. I was told that your education comes first and sports second. So athletes are always looking for balance in their schedules. I admire what Essence Carson has done becasue their are those athletes that are less fortunate to acheive high honors and might end up on the streets. And finally to those people that think it's to hard to be an athlete and student try working two jobs and takeing a full load of credits. Good Luck and Good Journey John Maguire It warmed my soul to see Essence represent the vaunted integrity and spirit of Rutgers to the media, as an institution, while she and her teammates endure the challenge of the controversy created by Mr. Imus' ill-fated choice of words. Under Coach Stringer's leadership as the great role model that she is, it is easy to see that the young, beautiful and talented Scarlet Knights will continue to be both very competitive as well as poised to command a meaningful presence in society for years to come. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Coach Stringer several years ago at an awards event for the Black Coaches Association, where she was celebrated as Coach Of The Year. Post a Comment |
  
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