Being a part of a sports organization in college is an amazing experience. I can vouch for almost all college athletes with that statement.

Working hard on your craft whether its football, baseball, basketball, volleyball or others in order to become the best player you can be to help your team win is one major goal.

You get a lot more out of being affiliated with a college sport. You learn to communicate better. Most teams exchange phone numbers or emails of players with each other to stay in contact and informed on what’s going on. This also builds chemistry outside of the sport.

You also develop a relationship with teammates and coaches. You find out things about your teammate you didn’t know and can possibly reach a personal level.

College sports organizations also teach you discipline. As players, we must be willing to follow the directions given by our coaches and have the ability to execute. Even outside of performance, something as simple as being on time for practice or scheduled events teaches accountability and responsibility.

Whatever it is you’re supposed to do you must do to earn the trust of your coach and also your teammates.

To take it to a more exciting side of sports, you have the opportunity to perform in front of friends, family and strangers. Traveling to different schools playing in front of other crowds is the best.

You build rivalries, respect and friendship. I’ve had the opportunity to do charity events with my teammates and functions where we hang out at our coaches’ house for the holidays. These were priceless moments for me.

Also, you get to enjoy bus rides with your teammates. It might not sound like much but in that time, a sense of connection forms. The variety of foods you eat when traveling out of town is great, too. Athletes love to eat, so whenever we come across new food, we’re excited.

It’s very much a blessing if you’re fortunate to be a part of a sports team in college. One of the main aspects that team organizations in college prepare you for is the real world. The real world meaning, when college is over and you’re working.

This goes back to being on time for practice. If you go to work late, the outcome may not be nice. Whatever actions you commit, you will be held accountable for them.

Everything we as athletes have learned throughout our life is a preparation for us as we become future lawyers, doctors or coaches.

Whatever sport you love, play it and love it because it has given us a head start to attack the world outside of the game.