Cleats and Class
About the Author:
Hi, I am Ben and welcome to Cleats & Class. This blog is about sharing a little of my college athlete life and talking about what I’ve learned this semester. I am a central Florida native, and growing up there helped shape who I am today. I am the youngest of 3 active boys who loved to play every sport growing up. I like to spend time outdoors, staying active, or participating in athletics. It requires discipline and consistency, which was instilled in me early on. Now I’m getting ready to play football this fall at the University of Maryland and I’m excited for this next chapter in my life. I am enjoying everything student-athlete life has to offer.
After the football season and school year, I bass fish whenever I can. Fishing is one of my favorite ways to relax and reset because life can be busy and stressful. Just being out on the waters in the Florida sun helps clear my head. Being active is just part of who I am, and I enjoy finding ways to challenge myself physically and mentally.
Balancing sports and classes isn’t easy. It’s something I try to manage every day. Student-athletes wake up early for workouts, go through long practices, and still have to stay focused in class even when being exhausted is very hard some days. Even with all of that, I wouldn’t trade it. Football has taught me teamwork, responsibility and how to stay strong. At the same time, college is helping me mature as a person and prepare for life after sports. I started this blog to look back on these experiences and see where I end up along the way.
Media plays a role in my life whether I notice it or not. Music is something I always have on, especially while working out or studying. For entertainment, I watch sports highlights reels and shows, with Stranger Things being one of my favorites. When I’m not busy, I enjoy playing Xbox with friends, which is a fun way to relax and stay connected. Social media also helps me keep in touch with teammates, family, and friends, especially now that I’m living away from home.
Through this class, I want to better understand how media affects how people think, feel, and act. I’m interested in learning how media influences identity and confidence, especially for young athletes. I also want to know who decides what content goes viral and how sports media impacts how athletes are viewed. Most importantly, I want to become more aware of what I consume every day instead of just scrolling without thinking. This is something I already notice in my own life, and I’m looking forward to learning more through class discussions and assignments.
This blog represents the balance I’m working toward between sports, academics, and personal growth. I want this blog to be honest and real. As the semester continues, I hope to connect what I learn in class with my experiences as a student-athlete and continue growing along the way.
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