College athletes wake up daily with one foot in the classroom and the other on the court or field, balancing dreams, pressures and the relentless drive to excel. But how do they manage it all at once?
Despite the challenges, Ferris athletes find deep fulfillment in pursuing excellence, camaraderie with teammates and the opportunity to represent their school. This glimpse into their lives reveals the sacrifices, triumphs and unseen struggles that define the everyday experience of a college athlete.
For Tyler Hamilton, a junior business marketing major from Detroit, that balance is key. After transferring to Ferris State from St. Claire Community College, he’s continued his basketball career with an unyielding focus on both his academic and athletic pursuits. Despite the challenges of maintaining such a rigorous schedule, Hamilton finds strength in faith and family to push through each demanding day.
“My body’s always tired, and I’m always mentally drained for the most part, but I’m here,” Hamilton said. “I get my strength from God. I always ask Him for strength before I start my day, and that helps me get through the intense training. My brothers and my parents are also always there for me to keep my focus.”
Hamilton’s mother played at the DI level in college, and her passion for basketball became a major influence in his journey. Although football was his first love, growing closer to his mom helped shift his focus toward basketball.
“Football was my main sport, my first love, but as my mom and I’s bond grew closer, she taught me more about basketball while growing up,” Hamilton said. “I fell in love with basketball through her, and it was always one of those things my brothers and I played together.”
A typical day for Hamilton starts around 10:30 a.m. with a team film session and weightlifting. Practice follows, which Hamilton describes as “intense, but it’s usually a good kind of intense.”
After practice, the team receives a devotional from a pastor or dives into treatment. The day doesn’t end there. Around 6 p.m., Hamilton and his teammates meet again for an hour of designated skill work.
In the evenings, after a long day of classes and practice, Hamilton finds solace in recovery, faith and rest. Whether it’s a peaceful night’s sleep, reading the Bible, or reviewing game footage, these moments allow him to recharge physically and mentally for the challenges ahead.
“I just try to always stay focused and prepared,” Hamilton said. “I’m always learning more, either watching myself play, whether it’s highlights or watching mistakes I made all to get better. At first, I didn’t do much recovery, but as I’ve become more consistent in my life, I’ve learned to take better care of my body. Now, I’m very active when it comes to my recovery.”
Looking ahead, Hamilton’s goals stretch far beyond college basketball. He envisions playing professionally overseas and eventually venturing into real estate and stocks. But no matter where his journey takes him, he knows the lessons he’s learned as a student-athlete will remain with him.
“The team has helped keep me encouraged. I’ve learned a lot about becoming a better man from teammates and coaches,” Hamilton said. “Ferris has helped me tremendously when it comes to building good habits.”
For many college athletes, the day begins long before the sun rises and ends well into the night. With intense training schedules, academic demands and personal responsibilities, finding balance is key to success.
Elementary education sophomore Alexis Kozlowski’s life is one of constant balance and fierce dedication. Her journey from a small-town girl in Gaylord to a college athlete is not just about competing on the field, it’s about competing for a future where she can inspire others, both as a teacher and a coach.
Growing up, Kozlowski wasn’t just playing softball; she was part of a family—a local travel team that fostered her love for the sport and a deep sense of camaraderie.
“It wasn’t just the sport that made me love it,” Kozlowski said. “It was the girls and the coach. Because of them, I was able to fall in love with the sport.”
Her day-to-day life is a delicate dance of early morning lifts, back-to-back classes and intense practices from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. With no room for distractions, Kozlowski has learned to prioritize and stay organized.
“Time management is crucial. I use a planner, and my teammates help me stay on track,” she said. “It’s all about knowing when to do your homework and when to study. You just have to balance it all and believe in yourself.”
While balancing her athletic career with a demanding academic schedule is no easy task, Kozlowksi thrives because she’s learned how to lean on her team. Her teammates, like senior Brooklyn Verbeek, who is also an education major, offer invaluable support, whether it’s for a quick academic question or a pep talk before a big game.
“We all help each other,” she says, “Whether it’s school, softball, or life.”
This support network is vital for Kozlowski, who admits that while she has little time for socializing outside of softball, she’s surrounded by a tight-knit group of teammates who are her closest friends.
Being a student-athlete has also shaped Alexis’s personal growth. She credits her experience in sports with boosting her confidence and helping her become more vocal. “If I wasn’t playing softball, I don’t think I’d be as outgoing. Softball has made me a leader,” Kozlowski said.
That leadership extends beyond the field, where she carries herself with the confidence to advocate for herself with professors and peers. As she eyes the future, Kozlowski is determined to pay forward the lessons she’s learned. Post-graduation, she plans to teach and coach, helping others build the same confidence and leadership she’s cultivated.
“I know that I want to coach softball and become a teacher right out of college,” Kozlowski said.
For Kozlowski, the grind is more than just a schedule, as it’s the foundation of her future. With her commitment to the game and her studies, there’s no doubt she’s ready to tackle whatever comes next.
While the excitement of game day and the demands of the regular season may be what most people see, the true commitment of a college athlete extends far beyond those moments on the court or field.
For athletes like Brady Rose, a junior construction management student, the work doesn’t stop when the season ends. Rose has been part of the football team since initially coming to Ferris in 2021. With a history of national championships behind him and the weight of expectations on his shoulders, he values the lessons of hard work, trust and time management.
Rose, originally from Muskegon, grew up with football in his blood. His father, a former athlete himself, played a pivotal role in shaping Brady’s passion for the sport.
“I got my passion for football from my dad as I grew up around football my whole life,” Rose said. “My dad coached at Mona Shores, so I was always at their practices and games. I’ve always wanted to be a Mona Shores football player, and once I was old enough, I became one.”
Rose’s life as a student-athlete at Ferris is about more than football. As a construction management major with a minor in finance, he faces the ongoing challenge of balancing the demands of academics and athletics. His days often begin early, with 8 a.m. classes followed by football practice at 11.
“My days are pretty busy. I’m always moving, always going. But I make sure I keep my focus on school because that’s my main priority,” Rose said.
For Rose, managing his time effectively is essential to maintaining both his academic standing and athletic performance. “There’s not a ton of time for personal activities,” Rose said. “I mean, obviously school comes first. I’m here to get a degree. I make sure I check my schedule on Sunday or Monday, depending on the week, to see what I have to do. Then, I focus on what’s due first throughout the week. I feel like I’ve always been pretty good at balancing football and school since I’ve been doing it for a while.”
In addition to football and academics, Rose has a deep appreciation for his personal time. An avid outdoorsman, he values the moments when he can escape to nature.
“I’m a big outdoorsman, so I like to hunt and fish. I try to get out when I can, but football’s always a priority. Now that the season’s winding down, I’m hoping to get into some ice fishing or turkey hunting later in the spring,” he says.
Despite the intense pressure of being a student-athlete, Brady feels supported by his family and teammates. As a football player at Ferris State, Brady’s expectations are high. The team has won three national championships in the last four years, and the pressure to continue that success weighs on every player.
“The pressure is high to win again,” Brady says. “We’ve won two national championships in a row, and we lost last year. So, there’s always that pressure to get back to that level.”
But Rose doesn’t let the weight of expectations distract him from his responsibilities.
“I always make sure my schoolwork is done before I lock in for football. If I need to focus more on football, I get my schoolwork done earlier in the week, so I can give everything I have to the team,” Rose said.
For Brady, the lessons learned on the field like hard work, discipline and trust extend far beyond football.
“Being on a team like this teaches you a lot about trust. You have to trust the guy next to you to do his job, and you’ve got to work just as hard as he does. It’s all about doing your part,” he says.
As he moves closer to graduation, Brady remains focused on his future. While football is still a major part of his life, he’s also looking ahead to his career in construction management.
The life of a student-athlete is never easy, but for Rose, it’s a journey defined by hard work, discipline and unwavering support from his family and teammates. As he moves forward, he continues to honor the lessons of his past while building the foundation for his future both on and off the field.
At Ferris, the balance is more than just a daily challenge. It’s a testament to the passion, strength, and grit of these athletes who continue to inspire, achieve, and lead by example. It’s not just about what they do, it’s about who they’re becoming, both as players and as people. In the end, the true measure of success is not just in the wins or grades but in the journey itself.