Q&As With UO Athletes: How Are They “Living the Dream”?
Q&A with Maryn Beutler, UO Women’s Soccer Player
By Katie Barrer
What is it like being a UO athlete?
Being a UO athlete is awesome! The athletic community is more than welcoming and supportive. I have met so many great people that have helped me achieve more than I could have ever imagined, and I’ve met some pretty cool friends along the way. It is definitely time consuming, but it has taught me a lot about myself and has pushed me in more ways than one. I wouldn’t trade this opportunity for anything else. I’ve played soccer my entire life, but I’ve never been a part of a team or program that was so dedicated to one another. My coaches and trainers have been great role models and mean so much more to me than just a coach.
How do you manage being an athlete, going to school, and having a social life?
Being an athlete takes up most of my time. It is basically a job. Between practice, lifting, class and studying, there is not much time left for socializing. All of my best friends are on my team and I’m able to spend time with them everyday so I guess that kills two birds with one stone! We have games on the weekends so most of the free time we get we will be studying and taking care of our bodies. I have learned to balance my life a little better this past year, so now I’m able to do other things that I enjoy doing with my friends. We play a ton of soccer and work hard in class so it’s important to get away from it all and be a kid whenever we can.
How do you feel you are “living the dream”?
Playing D1 soccer had been my ultimate goal ever since I was a child. I did everything I could as a youth player to reach this level and it most definitely was worth it. I would say that I am living my personal dream along with a lot of other young athletes who have been given the opportunity to play at the University of Oregon. It’s the hardest thing I have ever done but the opportunity to play with some of the best players in the nation, and train with the most prestigious coaches makes all the work worth it.
Q&A with Bree Baeyens, UO Dance Team
By Katie Barrer
How long have you been involved with dance?
I have been dancing since I was four, starting off with ballet and tap and then competing in jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. I did competitive dance from ages 8-18 which included competing every weekend from February-June and then Nationals in the summer. I competed as a representative for Team USA in the ICU Worlds competition as a senior in high school and won the world championship title. I am now entering my third year dancing competitively for the UO Dance Team.
What is it like being a UO athlete?
It requires a lot of commitment and image representation. It’s an honor to represent such an incredible school with so much school spirit, sporting events, and national competitions, but it requires a clean image and a responsible way of presenting yourself. I am required to have a clean social media representation along with always being aware of how I carry myself as a student on campus. With my face on a poster and an “O” logo on my backpack, it’s my responsibility to make sure I’m carrying myself in a respectful manner.
What is it like balancing being on the dance team, being in a sorority, and keeping up with school work?
It is absolutely a challenge and can be pretty overwhelming at times. With practice three times a week and performances on weekends, I have to manage my homework and studying wisely. It’s hard for me to participate in sorority activities in the fall and winter because of football season and nationals, but I try to attend when I can. I have a strong support system with Chi Omega and they always come watch my performances. I’ve never had a problem making grades for the dance team or my sorority. I’ve learned to manage everything and balance throughout life. Even though it does get stressful, I’m proud to be a representative of everything I’m involved with at UO.
How do you feel you are “living the dream”?
It takes two seconds of performing in front of a crowd to realize that I am “living the dream”. The amount of joy I receive from seeing little girls smile when we perform at basketball or football games or the screaming crowd at a competition is what makes me love being on the dance team and makes me realize why I have been doing this almost my whole life.
Q&A with Ashante Horsley, UO Track & Field
By Baylee Newman
Has it always been a dream of yours to run track in college and when realizing your were going to be running at this next level of competition what was that feeling like?
No it actually has not always been a dream of mine. I honestly didn’t know I wanted to run track in college until my senior year of high school. When realizing I would be running in college I mainly felt excited. Coming into it I had no idea what to expect as a college athlete, but the experience has been better than I ever imagined.
Do ever feel like regular students at the school look down on you because of the extra incentives, facilities, apparel, etc.; making you wish you could just be a regular student, or is the student athlete life truly apart of your dream?
Sometimes I feel that the other students realize or appreciate all of the hard work we have to do to receive those privileges. It’s is not something that comes easy. I wouldn’t change being a student athlete for anything, but some days I think it would be easier to live the day of a regular student.
Are you ever overwhelmed knowing you are on a scholarship for your talent?
Yes. It’s a lot of responsibility and pressure to keep and gain scholarships as an athlete. My whole future could change because of bad or good races. But it’s all worth it because it has given me many great opportunities to build my character and improve my talent everyday.
Q&A with Derrick Malone, UO Football
By Baylee Newman
Has being a student athlete all you imagined it to be and what are some challenges you’ve faced in this process?
The challenges I’ve faced are “Dumb Jock Stereotypes”, time management, t too busy to eat, trying to stay awake during the day, and unable to see my family often. e. It’s honestly been completely worth it because playing football has always been a dream of mine and it is exactly how I thought it would be! I love it.
Even though you are living your dream athletically, what is your opinion on student athletes graduating with their degree, especially those athletes that have an opportunity to leave school early and go pro? You have invested time, physically, mentally and emotionally to your university–how important is it to you to have proper closure not just as an athlete, but also as a student?
It’s extremely important. Student comes before athlete! I’ve always felt that education is the key to success. If you leave college without your degree, in my opinion, you’re showing the world that you have a lack of commitment as well as immaturity. A mature person thinks about their future and not immediate gratification.
After your college experience, is football something you wish to take to yet the next level? Is the NFL a part of your ultimate dream?
Yes! I am hoping to get drafted and continue to live out my dreams in the NFL.
Tatum Norton, UO Women’s Volleyball
By Jack Graham
Growing up, what were your personal dreams?
I have always been an athlete my entire life. I grew up playing almost every sport including several that were on all boy teams. I dreamed of being a collegiate athlete but never really knew it would be volleyball until I focused on that sport in high school.
Was there a certain point where you saw these dreams coming true?
When I was a sophomore in high school my club volleyball coach told me I could play volleyball at any school in the nation. College coaches started calling me the beginning of my junior year.
How did it all feel when it started to come together?
It was exciting but scary at the same time. My parents always told me that you should play at a school that you want to be at incase volleyball doesn’t work out. So I made sure the college it self was a good fit.
How is life as a colligate athlete different from your previous athletic commitments?
College is a much bigger commitment than high school or club ever was. It’s year round, including summer so you never really get a break.
What is the next step for you?
I plan to finish up my college career and graduate from the university of Oregon. I hope to after get the opportunity to go play over seas professionally. That’s the dream that I personally am working towards.
What are your thoughts on student athletes finishing with a degree?
The reason I am in college is ultimately to get a degree. That is not an option for me to not graduate. I would never let my parents down like that, because even if I make it in volleyball, I’m ultimately here on their support to get through school.
In a school that values athletics so highly, do you feel that you are truly living the dream?
I love being an athlete but it is just a small part of what U of O has to offer. It’s a great experience but it comes with a price. After college, volleyball will not do much for me. It’s important to put that in perspective.
Doug and Elizabeth Brenner: UO Football, Volleyball, and Track & Field
By Jack Graham
Individually, growing up, what were your personal dreams?
Liz: My personal dream growing up was to be an Olympian and to play volleyball on our Olympic team.
Doug: For me, I guess I had two dreams. The first was to be a collegiate athlete, and to have my school paid for. Then, to play in the NFL eventually, those are my goals.
Was there a certain point where you saw these dreams coming true?
L: I think it started for me when I was a sophomore in high school, I played on my club volleyball team in Florida. We made it to the finals and I got named all tournament with some of the best girls in the nation. It kind of hit me at that moment.
D: For me it was when I started receiving letters for colleges. The first letter I got was actually from Oregon for baseball, when I was in eighth grade, which is funny. Then from there, being a started on varsity for football as a freshman at Jesuit and talking to the coaches really motivated me.
How did it feel?
L: Exciting. I remember I just couldn’t stop smiling. I was like wow, I’m going to do this, I’m going to go play in college and I have a chance to play after on that Olympic team and it’s pretty amazing.
D: For me, I just remember a buddy of mine got his first coaches offer on the same day. We got our offer from Portland State, and we just came out of the coach’s office and hugged each other. We finally knew that we had the option of having a full ride somewhere and that was just huge.
How is life as a colligate athlete different from your previous athletic commitments?
L: Being a collegiate athlete at Oregon is unbelievable. We get so much Nike gear, and I love it. We’re just spoiled. We get everything that we could possibly need, our locker rooms are amazing, our facilities are the best in the nation and every thing that you need is catered to you, which is amazing. I’m just so thankful and blessed to have this opportunity.
D: I agree with that. Also, its much more of a job than it was in high school. The commitment is a lot greater, the commitment to excellence. Everyone’s pushing each other, everyone’s at the same level athletically. Its great to be playing with people that are so gifted.
What are some challenges you’ve faced as a student athlete?
L: I’ve played multiple sports here so that’s made it a lot tougher on me. I pretty much am in season all year long, so that puts a strain on my body that I don’t have an off-season. Also staying organized and staying on top of things and getting school work done when you have a road trip coming up.
D: Similar to that, but also just having a social life while in-season. We’ll wake up and have football from 6 to 11. And we’ll have school from noon to 3, then we’ll have tutors from 3 to 5 then we’ll have meetings from 5 to 7:45, and then you come home and you’re so dog tired. To make relationships with people and to keep up those relationships with the time commitment that we have can sometimes be tough. But, its really fun and I have absolutely no regrets.
Do you ever wish that you could just be a regular college student?
D: I dream of being able to sleep in or being able to go home for more than a week at a time. For us for football, we get about 3 weeks off all year. We’re here all summer, this year I got 3 days off for Christmas and had to leave at like 5 am on Christmas morning, which kind of stunk. I wouldn’t trade it, but I definitely envy some things.
L: I think it’s the sleeping in thing for me. I mean both of us Have morning practice, so we never get to sleep in unless it’s a Sunday so, we definitely love our sleep.
What is the next step for each of you?
L: After I graduate next year I plan on going and playing professional volleyball overseas. After that, hopefully get asked to play for the national team for the Olympics.
D: My goal is to be an academic all American and also an All-American in football, so I’m just working hard towards those goals.
What are your thoughts on student athletes finishing with a degree?
L: I think if you’re a student athlete there’s no way you shouldn’t just finish all the way through and get your degree. For us, we have a full ride; we might as well accept free school for as long as you can. Take advantage of that opportunity cause there’s no telling what will happen after, if you get hurt or something.
D: Always have a backup plan. We were raised that school always comes first, and athletics are always just the tool to get us there.
In a school that values athletics so highly, do you feel that you are truly living the dream?
L: I definitely think that we are living out the dream, for sure. University of Oregon treats student athletes like we’re reality, we’re spoiled but it’s so much fun to be in the athletic program here and be able to compete and represent the university of Oregon. We have the best fans. It’s an amazing experience.
D: It’s such an honor to play here, and to play with the teammates that I have. I’m still in awe. It’s really amazing the amount of support that they have for us and the amount of people who wants us to succeed. So yeah, in many ways we are living the dream and we’re really grateful.