Living Life In a Fish Bowl

A profile piece on a SUNY Brockport Resident Assistant Shaquan Harris.

Do You Love The Sport?

Photo credit to http://www.gobrockport.com/roster.aspx?path=football&

Many incoming students come to college with the goal of playing sports.

That was the case for wide receiver Daniel Crawford, a 20 year old football player at SUNY Brockport.

Crawford said, “Coming here, I emailed the coach and sent him my highlight tape and he invited me. But if you come in fresh prospect, they have walk-ons and try out dates for people who come to the school and don’t know. They are then put through the same drills as current players.”

“If you have the ability and show some type of athleticism in the sport, you have the best possibility to make it,” said Crawford

It can be hard to come into a new environment. Crawford said competing with people who have been here for years has definitely been a challenge. “It’s very competitive because there are people who are taller and faster than you.”

On a team with give or take 90 players it can be hard to shine. Crawford said that it’s always good to keep practicing, improving, and not messing up because the coaches will overlook you, and move on to the next player.

Speaking of obstacles within the game, Crawford said it can be hard. It’s always good to stay together and stay positive. “One of the most challenging things within the game is staying mentally together. When you get knocked down, you got to get back up. You always have the next play to make something happen.”

As someone who always looks forward to practice and plans on going all the way to the NFL, Crawford said, “Football is what I eat and what I breathe. I love football. Hard work beats talent. While you’re sleeping at 4 a.m. I am working. I am out running routes and lifting weights.”

In terms of preparation, Crawford said, “I pray, hydrate, eat, watch film on the other team, and the players who play the same position as I do.”

Crawford said don’t come onto the team and think it’s all about the game. Your education matters too. You can be a great player but if your grades are falling under a 2.0, you have to get tutoring time for at least 4 hours a week. This would add to an already intense schedule. In addition, the players are randomly drug tested for marijuana, cocaine, molly, and more.

Crawford suggests incoming students who plan on playing a sport here to ask themselves, “Do you really love the sport? If you don’t love the sport why waste your time when you can use that time on your school work, and figuring out what you want to do with your life. So do you really love the sport?”