What is it like being an NCSSM athlete?

By Harry Wilson / March 20, 2024

Athletics is a large part of NCSSM’s culture and an important aspect of life for anyone associated with a sports team. If you actually bothered to read the sports section, you probably either are or know an NCSSM athlete, however, what you may not see when you hear the results of a track meet, see the scores of a tennis match, or sit in the student’s section at a basketball game is just how much goes into NCSSM athletics. Contrary to common perceptions, there’s a lot more to being an athlete than being cool and popular. It’s easy to criticize teams for poor (or sometimes very poor) performances, but behind the scenes there are many factors that make sports at NCSSM especially difficult compared to other schools. So what exactly is it like?

It goes without saying that NCSSM is a difficult place, and if you get five hours of sleep a night and a meal or two a day, you’re doing pretty well. This type of lifestyle isn’t suitable for teenagers but is even worse when you factor in vigorous exercise and competition daily. Being an athlete also makes it more difficult to spend adequate time studying, going to office/TA hours, and participating in activities. Additionally, competition days require students to miss supper and instead receive turkey and [not] cheese sandwiches. 

One of the biggest challenges for teams at NCSSM is being a two year school. While other teams have had years to perfect playing with the same teammates and coaches, for our athletes, each year is often the first (and last) time playing together, making it more difficult to develop team culture and chemistry. It also means that the flow of athletes into the school is quite sporadic, leaving teams’ success largely up to the luck of the draw in admissions. 

With all these challenges, it seems like the question should be, why be an NCSSM athlete at all? But just as they know the challenges, anyone who plays a sport here knows exactly why we do it. NCSSM is a special place, full of extraordinary people, and this remains true on every team. The bond shared by our teams in the face of this schools’ unique challenges is the best part of being an athlete, and in many cases, one of the keys to NCSSM’s success. Unicorns always accept the greater challenge; To those who love their sport and their team, nothing else matters.

Obviously the school’s focus is in academics, but the support that goes into sports is felt by all who take part. NCSSM’s coaches and trainers are second to none. That’s why regardless of sport, skill, or even wins and losses, being an athlete here is incredible, and an experience cherished by all those who have taken part. And for anyone curious about what it’s like being an NCSSM athlete, with spring sports right around the corner, it’s never too late to find out for yourself.