COLUMN: Typical athlete?

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by David Gordon

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There is something that I would like to bring to your attention. There is a group of students on this campus who believe that they are better than everyone else.

How do I know this? It's simple.

They spend most of their time together. They socialize with each other exclusively. They spend a lot of time practicing their skills together. They even spend most of their time in just one or two buildings.

Our campus must be purged of these people. Without them, Rice would be a much better place.

Who are these people? Isn't it obvious? It's the chemical engineering majors.

I hope you see the point I am trying to make here. Instead of chemical engineering, I could have easily substituted electrical engineering students, biochemistry majors, Thresher staff, KTRU DJ's, rugby players, or members of Jones College.

I had this epiphany while conducting interviews for the two student positions on the Rice University Athletics Committee. I discovered that many of the concerns that non-athletes have concerning athletes are either totally unfounded or apply to just about everyone on campus.

The double standard that people seem to be applying to Rice's student-athletes was staring me in the face.

Right now you are probably saying, "Hey! I'm a (place label here) and I don't just hang out with (place label here)." Well, just like I have learned in every class taken at this university, there are exceptions to every rule.

Some (place label here) do not fit this description. Some do.

The same applies to student-athletes. Some fit this description; some don't. Nothing is different.

I know some athletes who wouldn't give me the time of day. I also know some chemical engineering majors who are real jerks.

I also know some athletes who are active members of their college and the Rice community.

What people are forgetting is that when you spend a lot of time with people, you become friends with them. You share many of the same interests. Your work/activity creates a bond between you and those people.

I have learned this firsthand from working at the Thresher this year. However, nobody has accused me of being antisocial or withdrawing from life at Rice.

Everybody brings something different to Rice. Whether you can play Beethoven, design a skyscraper or run a four minute mile, you contribute to the Rice community.

This year I have learned a lot about student-athlete life at Rice by living with two members of the track and field team. Let me tell you, life is no picnic for them.

Between cross country and the track and field season, they train all year long. Practice takes hours everyday. This is what it takes to be competitive.

Weekends (and sometimes Thursday and Friday) are occupied with competition. I don't know about you, but take those days away from me and I would be behind in my classes.

I hope that Rice's move to the Western Athletic Conference can be used as a fresh start for supporting our athletes and our athletic programs. Next year, go out and support our athletic teams any way you can. I am not asking you to go to every event; just try to attend some.

Next time you see a student-athlete, ask them how their practice is going or tell them if you saw their game. It means so much to them to know that somebody other than their coaches and teammates are showing interest.

After putting in about 15 hours a week, it makes me feel good when someone just mentions that the Thresher looked good. There is such little support for others' achievements around here that just a little bit will go a long way.

Oh yeah, none of this applies to those damn chemical engineering majors.

This item appeared in the Sports section of the April 26, 1996 issue.

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