“High school was an event, that just so happened to be associated with school,” explained the coach to his incoming first-year players. “College is school, that just so happens to have events.”

The priority of academics in a college setting takes some students by surprise. As high school students they were involved in lots of activities, and the pace of the classroom allowed them time enough to manage. College-level academics, on the other hand, demand that student-athletes learn good time-management skills from the start.

At Martin Luther College, coaches are also classroom instructors who understand the priority of schoolwork. “I teach three academic preparations per semester,” said men’s soccer coach and history professor Paul Koelpin. “Classroom time is of first importance – for me and the students. You’ll hear that same thing from every coach on campus. We are not developing professional athletes at MLC; we are preparing servants for the church.”

Yet the college athletic experience does make demands on a student’s time. Practices average two hours a day. Many teams play two or three contests a week. And most road trips average four hours (or more) of travel time. “Athletics can easily absorb 20-30 hours of time per week. It takes a commitment,” said Koelpin. “At the same time, there are so many benefits that come with participation in sports. I strongly encourage all students who want to experience athletics at the college level to do it.”

Student-athletes must learn to balance academics with athletics. They study whenever they have a few minutes, and the backpacks and duffle bags they take on bus trips contain not only uniforms but textbooks too.

What about missed class time? Athletes are responsible for telling professors about future absences and for staying current with assignments. “Technology has helped with some absences,” said Koelpin. “Moodle [the on-campus course management system] and PowerPoint and other computer applications can deliver some of the necessary information.”

MLC coaches understand that the role of athletics goes far beyond wins and losses. “I like to tell students that college is where they become who they are,” Koelpin said. “Athletics is a learning environment – even more so in college. The athlete develops leadership skills and teamwork skills and communication skills. It’s a maturing process for students who, God-willing, will serve in very responsible positions in the church. In managing the schedule of athletics and academics they are learning what it means to be accountable and dependable.”