Alcohol and Swimming in College: Do They Go Together?

Alcohol and Swimming in College: Do They Go Together? -- September 27, 2010

Feature by Michelle Berman, Swimming World intern PISCATAWAY, New Jersey, September 27. RIGHT or wrong, whether you like it or not, alcohol is an inescapable part of the college experience, and the majority of the population at a university will wind up participating in it. It is simply a fact of life on most college campuses. But the question for a student-athlete is "How do you set aside the ‘college experience' from your career as an athlete?" When it comes to rules, as we all know there are always people who think they can stretch them, or just think they are lucky enough to not get caught. Lisa Pursley, however, a former student-athlete at University of Arizona's swimming and diving program and current assistant coach at Rutgers, tells us, not everyone is quite so lucky. "Without being specific, I know of athletes who have been suspended from practice and competition, and athletes who have been asked to leave teams because of alcohol related events involving freshmen, recruits, or travel," Pursley said. Many alcohol issues also have occurred with recruits present. Julie Farrell, a junior at Mount St. Mary's University as well as a former member of the swimming and diving team, is a member of one of these types of programs. "I know when I was recruited drinking was something that was not hidden," Farrell said. "The girls immediately asked if I drank. When I said I did drink the girls were ecstatic because that was there way to relax at the end of the day when their muscles are so sore from practice. But some of recruits did not drink and when they came they felt very awkward when the girls would take them out." Each and every program across the nation has its own rules and regulations regarding alcohol use by team members. There is no clear cut answer to the alcohol issue on campus, but some say that it has more of an impact of recruiting and team performance then many let on. "I know that drinking was something that turned some of the recruits away," Farrell said. This is a very real, and all-too-often occurrence. Pursley states that alcohol has bigger affects than just issues with recruiting. "Alcohol should be used only when you are of age and in moderation," Pursley said. "Alcohol will have a negative impact on training, performance, personal well-being and reputation if used irresponsibly. "I think it is crucial that teams are educated and well aware of the negative effects alcohol can have on a program and on individuals," Pursley said when asked what she believes it takes to reduce alcohol issues on a team. "I also think it is important to have a team working toward a common goal where individuals will support one another and not engage in harmful activities." Alcohol also proposes major health and performance problems. Whom do you think will perform better at practice on a Saturday morning? The person who went out the night before and drank enough for two people? Or the person who went to bed at 10 p.m. after having a healthy and energizing dinner? The answer is clearly obvious. Alcohol has clearly become a big focus around universities and sports teams alike in recent years. Is it more prevalent now or has the problem always been there and the 24/7 news cycle just shines more light on it? "I think that since the drinking age is higher that is why drinking seems so appealing and is talked about," Farrell said about the forbidden fruit psychology involved in drinking. "Honestly, if drinking was something that was not forbidden to minors, I don't think it would be an issue." Many different teams and universities have dealt with alcohol issues and many involve minors. This is definitely something to think about for every program as three out of the four classes on a team (freshman, sophomore, junior) are almost all likely to be filled with minors. That means nearly the entirety of every team is under age and should not be drinking at all. It is important for each student-athlete to consider what type of impact alcohol will have on their academic and athletic careers. While partying is definitely a large part of the college experience, a student-athlete must have their own set of priorities as it relates to alcohol. Michelle Berman is a junior swimmer at Rutgers University who is serving as an intern at Swimming World this semester. Reaction Time Comments Reaction Time responses do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Swimming World Magazine or SwimmingWorldMagazine.com. Reaction Time is provided as a service to our readers. September 27, 2010 I didn't drink in college which made me the "odd man out" on the swim team. I still don't drink as an adult and masters swimmer and everyone else on the team seems to do so. Drinking does not have to be part of the college experience or anyone's daily life. Submitted by: flutterby September 27, 2010 flutterby, I don't know if the "odd man out" comment was intentional or not, but thanks for the reference to my book! Besides maybe two or three times, I didn't drink in college, either. In my book, I do detail how much drinking is a part of college life, so much so that Saturday night at the movies is not an option, because alcohol is not involved. Michelle's article is very insightful. We're glad to have her on the team. Submitted by: Jeff Commings Reaction Time responses do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Swimming World Magazine or SwimmingWorldMagazine.com.

"Oameni de fier...?"

Se pare ca dupa tryatlon, apare o varianta si mai si..., parca ar dori sa pregateasca individu' pt. vremi mai dificile....

Introducing Ironman Access Membership Program

Wednesday, October 27, 2010 6:20 PM

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ironman.com | shopironman.com | events | contact us Today, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) launches an exclusive athlete membership program called Ironman Access. In addition to other member benefits, the program will offer advance registration for Ironman events worldwide before entries open to the general public. Membership into Ironman Access is on a first-come, first-served basis and will close once it reaches capacity. To register and for more information, please log on to www.ironmanaccess.com. Advance race registration for Ironman Access members will open one week prior to the event's general entry registration date. Athletes are required to pay the general entry fee to the selected event. Early registration for Ironman Access members for the 2011 Ironman Florida will open on Monday, Nov. 1; athletes interested in registering as an Ironman Access member for this event must join the program by 11:59 p.m. PDT on Sunday, Oct. 31, to be eligible. Members may choose to register early for one or more of the following 2011 and 2012 Ironman races: · 2011 Ironman Florida* · 2011 Ironman Arizona · 2011 Ironman Cozumel · 2011 Ironman Western Australia · 2012 Ironman New Zealand · 2012 Ironman South Africa · 2012 Ironman Australia · 2012 Ironman St. George · 2012 Ironman Lanzarote · 2012 Ironman Texas · 2012 Ironman China · 2012 Ironman Brazil · 2012 Ironman France · 2012 Ironman Coeur d'Alene · 2012 Ironman Austria · 2012 Ironman Switzerland · 2012 Ironman European Championship · 2012 Ironman Lake Placid · 2012 Ironman UK · 2012 Ironman Regensburg · 2012 Ironman Canada · 2012 Ironman Louisville · 2012 Ironman Wisconsin · 2012 Ironman Wales *Early registration for Ironman Access members for the 2011 Ironman Florida will open on Monday, Nov. 1 but you must join the program by 11:59 p.m. PDT on Sunday, Oct. 31, to be eligible. Ironman Access Membership Program Benefits: · $1000.00 USD for a one-year membership · Exclusive advance registration to Ironman events · Two VIP passes per registered event · Official membership ID card · Second chance in the Ironman Lottery Program* · One-year subscription to LAVA Magazine · Discounts on Ironman partner products at shopironman.com and on-site event retail stores · 2010 Ford Ironman World Championship NBC broadcast DVD · The above benefits are valid for one year starting from activation date *with purchase of a general lottery entry