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SME NETWORK
WEEKLY PLAYER BLOG
With Elon University Quarterback
Scott Riddle
WEEKLY PLAYER BLOG
With Elon University Quarterback
Scott Riddle
Scott is a sophomore
student athlete at Elon
University. Each week
Scott will participate in the
"SME Network Weekly
Player Blog" and he will
write about all topics
related to life as a student
athlete. From classes to
football, see what life is
like as a Division I athlete.
student athlete at Elon
University. Each week
Scott will participate in the
"SME Network Weekly
Player Blog" and he will
write about all topics
related to life as a student
athlete. From classes to
football, see what life is
like as a Division I athlete.
November 3, 2008
At this time of the semester, school is pretty hectic. We just finished midterms, but there are always more papers
and tests right around the corner. It was great to have a bye week and get some time to catch up on everything. I’
m hoping to do well this semester, so I’m really buckling down. My hardest class is Business Statistics.
As for football, the season has gone well so far. We were really disappointed with our outcome last week against
Wofford, so now we really need to stay focused down the stretch. I like playing basketball and baseball because
you don’t have to wait a whole week in between games. Waiting for the next game in football can drive you crazy,
particularly when you have a bad game. Waiting two weeks is even worse! However, it was nice to have Halloween
off, and have some fun. The bye week also gave us a little time to focus on ourselves. I am really working to
minimize my mistakes. I can’t wait to get back on the field Saturday against Western Carolina. Hopefully we will
have a great atmosphere with everyone back at Rhodes Stadium for Homecoming.
At this time of the semester, school is pretty hectic. We just finished midterms, but there are always more papers
and tests right around the corner. It was great to have a bye week and get some time to catch up on everything. I’
m hoping to do well this semester, so I’m really buckling down. My hardest class is Business Statistics.
As for football, the season has gone well so far. We were really disappointed with our outcome last week against
Wofford, so now we really need to stay focused down the stretch. I like playing basketball and baseball because
you don’t have to wait a whole week in between games. Waiting for the next game in football can drive you crazy,
particularly when you have a bad game. Waiting two weeks is even worse! However, it was nice to have Halloween
off, and have some fun. The bye week also gave us a little time to focus on ourselves. I am really working to
minimize my mistakes. I can’t wait to get back on the field Saturday against Western Carolina. Hopefully we will
have a great atmosphere with everyone back at Rhodes Stadium for Homecoming.
Life as a student-athlete
People may think that being an athlete is easy, or think that we have it made. In many ways they are absolutely
right, but there are many hurdles college athletes must face. There are actually times it isn’t much fun at all. I may
have a paper due at the end of the week, and know that I won’t have much time to get it done because of practice
and meetings. I get stressed out feel like I’ll never be able to turn in a good paper.
On a normal day, I wake up around 8:00 and go to breakfast. After that I have class from 10:30 until 12:10 and then
from 12:25 to 2:05. I try squeeze in lunch between those classes, but sometimes I don’t have time. After my last
class, I go straight to football position meetings that start at 2:30 and last for about an hour. From there I go straight
to practice. Practice starts around 4:10 and it is usually 7:00 before I leave the locker room. From there I have to
make time to eat. Athletes are constantly burning calories, and it is often harder than you might think to fit in meals.
After I eat and get back to my room, I attempt to tackle my homework. I try not to procrastinate, but I think it is in my
genes, so I dread the nights where I have to do more than a few hours of work. This schedule doesn’t include the
days that we lift weights at 6am, or I have to do laundry, or I have group meetings. It is very tough to maintain good
grades while being a college athlete, but I try my best. If I was a regular student, I would get 5 extra hours everyday
to do work and to “play”.
College athletes make many sacrifices to meet their own high expectations. In addition, coaches want perfection out
of all their players, so their demands are equally high. But when I go to practice on a perfect fall afternoon, or
celebrate a touchdown with my teammates, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. The good always outweighs the bad
when you love the game.
People may think that being an athlete is easy, or think that we have it made. In many ways they are absolutely
right, but there are many hurdles college athletes must face. There are actually times it isn’t much fun at all. I may
have a paper due at the end of the week, and know that I won’t have much time to get it done because of practice
and meetings. I get stressed out feel like I’ll never be able to turn in a good paper.
On a normal day, I wake up around 8:00 and go to breakfast. After that I have class from 10:30 until 12:10 and then
from 12:25 to 2:05. I try squeeze in lunch between those classes, but sometimes I don’t have time. After my last
class, I go straight to football position meetings that start at 2:30 and last for about an hour. From there I go straight
to practice. Practice starts around 4:10 and it is usually 7:00 before I leave the locker room. From there I have to
make time to eat. Athletes are constantly burning calories, and it is often harder than you might think to fit in meals.
After I eat and get back to my room, I attempt to tackle my homework. I try not to procrastinate, but I think it is in my
genes, so I dread the nights where I have to do more than a few hours of work. This schedule doesn’t include the
days that we lift weights at 6am, or I have to do laundry, or I have group meetings. It is very tough to maintain good
grades while being a college athlete, but I try my best. If I was a regular student, I would get 5 extra hours everyday
to do work and to “play”.
College athletes make many sacrifices to meet their own high expectations. In addition, coaches want perfection out
of all their players, so their demands are equally high. But when I go to practice on a perfect fall afternoon, or
celebrate a touchdown with my teammates, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. The good always outweighs the bad
when you love the game.
November 10, 2008
This is a big week for Elon Football, but of course, school always comes first. Staying focused on school helps me
treat every week the same, no matter who we are playing. But I will admit that this week has been hard because
everyone on campus keeps asking about the game and our preparation for Appalachian State (professors
included). Preregistration for spring semester is this week, so I’ve also had to think a little more about the big
picture and finalizing my major. My business courses have been the most interesting to me so far, but I’ve thought
about a few other majors as well. I hope that I’ll feel comfortable making it official after the spring semester.
I’m excited about the game this weekend and the chance to play for a conference championship. I love playing in
big games with big crowds. I don’t want to let my team down because I know if I play well we will have a chance to
win. It is going to be pretty cold, and I really like playing in the cold. I also have a lot of friends that go to App and
want to play well because I know they will all be there watching. Go Phoenix!!!
This is a big week for Elon Football, but of course, school always comes first. Staying focused on school helps me
treat every week the same, no matter who we are playing. But I will admit that this week has been hard because
everyone on campus keeps asking about the game and our preparation for Appalachian State (professors
included). Preregistration for spring semester is this week, so I’ve also had to think a little more about the big
picture and finalizing my major. My business courses have been the most interesting to me so far, but I’ve thought
about a few other majors as well. I hope that I’ll feel comfortable making it official after the spring semester.
I’m excited about the game this weekend and the chance to play for a conference championship. I love playing in
big games with big crowds. I don’t want to let my team down because I know if I play well we will have a chance to
win. It is going to be pretty cold, and I really like playing in the cold. I also have a lot of friends that go to App and
want to play well because I know they will all be there watching. Go Phoenix!!!
November 18, 2008
Saturday was a very disappointing day for us at Appalachian State. Many fans have said that an 8 point loss to App
was a great achievement, but we don’t buy into moral victories. It was a good showing, but not good enough. Our
game at Liberty this week should be very exciting. They are a good team and it will be an important test for us. The
game is our chance to prove that we belong in the playoffs, so we can’t have any letdown this week.
Although most of my time is spent thinking about football and class, thoughts of Thanksgiving are creeping into my
head. I can’t wait to spend a little time with my whole family, especially my grandparents. I hope that I have to work
my Thanksgiving dinner plans around practice times, but that is one of the benefits of going to college close to
home – I know I can make it at some point. Go Phoenix!
Saturday was a very disappointing day for us at Appalachian State. Many fans have said that an 8 point loss to App
was a great achievement, but we don’t buy into moral victories. It was a good showing, but not good enough. Our
game at Liberty this week should be very exciting. They are a good team and it will be an important test for us. The
game is our chance to prove that we belong in the playoffs, so we can’t have any letdown this week.
Although most of my time is spent thinking about football and class, thoughts of Thanksgiving are creeping into my
head. I can’t wait to spend a little time with my whole family, especially my grandparents. I hope that I have to work
my Thanksgiving dinner plans around practice times, but that is one of the benefits of going to college close to
home – I know I can make it at some point. Go Phoenix!