Female Athletes Balancing Responsibilities on and off the Field

By Maria Chille 

October 27, 2025 

College athletes today have a lot to balance with games, practices, classes, and everything in between. While the best is expected from these athletes, they are still young adults in college managing the same responsibilities as the rest of us. I was able to gain a peak into the lives of some of Farmingdale State Colleges female athletes, to understand just how much they balance, and how they do it. 

We first have a look into the life of Victoria DeGraw, a sophomore at Farmingdale and a member of the Women's Track and Field team. DeGraw has been an athlete on the team since the beginning of her time here at Farmingdale. On a daily basis just with track and field, she spends typically fifteen to sixteen hours a week attending practice and doing lift workouts. So with just being a typical college athlete, DeGraw is balancing class, studying, practice, and lifting. Along with the usual classes, she is an Aviation major which requires a lot of extra time for flights and special tests for that degree. Aside from Aviation and her sport, DeGraw was a member of the Stylus club here at Farmingdale, as well as the Greek organization Sigma Delta Tau. Stylus was started here on campus by a friend of hers, but the stress of all responsibilities led to DeGraw not having time to participate in it anymore. With being involved in track and field, aviation, and Sigma Delta Tau, those each come with their own responsibilities. When asked if it was a difficult decision to join, DeGraw responds “Not really, it was definitely a bit worrisome or stressful [...] but I’ve always been that way where I had a lot going on, doing multiple things.” Luckily for DeGraw, she does not let her busy schedule affect her grades. She manages to keep her high G.P.A. by setting aside two to three days a week dedicated to catching herself up on homework, and doing so with her friends and teammates. Overall, Victoria Degraw continues to feel and be very involved in her sport, sorority, and major. DeGraw and her passion for what she loves does not interfere with her classes and her priorities, she makes it all work while doing what makes her happy. 

Next, we have a glimpse of Mackenzie Marquardt of the women's volleyball team, and her experience as a college athlete.  Marquardt is a sophomore here at Farmingdale, who balances her time with her sport, the nursing program, her on campus sorority Sigma Delta Tau, her job, and still finds time for her friends and family. Volleyball is very time consuming, with up to three hours of daily practice and additional time spent working out, Marquardt was scared to consider joining other campus organizations, but in the end is thrilled she did because it showed her even more ways to put more time toward her priorities. With having to attend nursing labs and sorority chapter meetings, she has found it best to set aside time every day to stay on top of her school work. Luckily for Marquardt this method helps her to maintain her straight A’s. Due to having a very demanding schedule, she feels it can be difficult to stay in touch with friends she does not see as much. But when it comes to her friends on campus and her roommates, they make sure to spend productive time together. They are very big on relaxing, watching television, and doing their homework together. This habit is one that has been very beneficial for the active college athlete. With the weight of these responsibilities, Marquardt feels held back from being so involved in her sorority due to volleyball, but she knows that once the volleyball season is over she will get herself right on track with being as involved as she wants to be.  

This glimpse into the lives of college athletes allows us to see into a whole new perspective, and develop even more respect for what these women do to pursue their passions.