The Student-Athlete Experience

Transcript

Teneka is a swimmer from Australia and is majoring in film. UNLV has 17 NCAA Division I sports programs, and students get a free ticket to all regular season home games. How great is that? But have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a student athlete? Well, let’s have Teneka tell us all about it. Teneka, let’s dive right in.

Thanks, Alex. Good day everyone. Never in my wildest dreams did I think my love for swimming would take me all the way from Australia to the US. After high school, I was contacted by Division I college swimming coaches, including the coaches here at UNLV. Shortly afterwards, I committed to UNLV and becoming a Rebel was one of the best decisions I ever made. There are 17 NCAA Division I programs at UNLV. During my time as a Rebel, I’ve seen both the caliber and the camaraderie of the athletic body grow. It is a privilege to attend all sporting home games for free and cheering on the football team at Allegiant Stadium is one of the most unreal experiences. Another really cool thing about UNLV athletics is the Rebel training table facility. Every weekday morning, student athletes are able to sit and eat together. This custom has enabled connections between teams and I’ve made friends with UNLV athletes from all across the world. It fuels our community and allows us to support and celebrate each other. I attribute my academic and athletic success to the support staff we have here at UNLV. Student athletes must maintain a certain GPA for NCAA eligibility and the student athlete academic services staff make sure that we get the help we need to excel academically so that we can continue to do what we love athletically. The UNLV athletic staff go above and beyond. I will always remember the moments at UNLV that help me to grow the most, when the time spent in hard practices or waking up at 5:00 a.m. became worth it, when the hours poured into study helped me obtain my degree, or when my voice screaming for the Rebels at a home game became a part of something much bigger than myself. Rebels help turn small opportunities into larger successes and humble dreams into greater realities. Thank you for coming along on this journey with me. Back to you, Alex.

Thanks, Teneka. Your team experience seems amazing. UNLV fosters an environment of success for its student athletes, from the exceptional facilities and academic services to the team camaraderie and community support, and let’s not forget the breakfasts. Thanks again for sharing, Teneka. That was fantastic.