Students are finding staggered practice times to be difficult, though given the numbers and resources, there may be no real solution.
Due to shared fields and facilities, many coaches have schedule practice times differently each day. The athletic department has to find time to fit every team in a busy athletic schedule while also allotting time for dinners, study hall, and club time.
Many students find it challenging to have so much time between practices or lift. This is especially true for day students who can’t go home, and can often find themselves on campus until 8:30 p.m.
Teams having to share the Galbraith turf has made it difficult for teams to have consistent practice times throughout the week.
Yayha Wilson, a five-year junior, from Amherst, Mass., on the varsity soccer team, doesn’t like the staggered practices.
“I’m not of a fan of the scattered times because I like to get into a good routine with my work,” Yayha said. “I also don’t like not being able to go home before a practice.”
Yayha doesn’t have his license, making it difficult to go home before practice.
Boys Varsity Soccer team has practices and lifts that vary from 3:45, 5:00, and 6:45, as well as an additional Wednesday and Saturday game, which adds to the inconsistency.
Shiv Patel, a six-year senior and day student “loves” his consistent practice time.
“I love having practice at 3:45 every day because I have more time for my homework and extra curriculars,” Shiv, from Easthampton, said. “I also don’t like the awkward time in between school and a late practice, as it is difficult to use my time.”
Shiv is a part of the Varsity Cross Country team, which practices every day at 3:45.
The change from Fall to Winter sports can be a difficult adjustment too, as the space in the athletic center is limited.
Jaxon Axelman, a four year senior boarder from Penn Valley Pa., finds his adjustment from football to basketball difficult.
In the Fall during football I have consistent schedules and I am done at around the same time [every day],” he said. “When winter comes around, It is hard to adjust because practice times are varied every week and it is hard to plan around them. It affects my routine negatively and changes my days.”
Senior Max Elkin, a member of the Varsity Squash team, admits the staggered practices can be a hassle.
“Some days it’s okay and its 3:30-4:30 and 5:30-6:30. However, on Tuesdays we had 7:30-8:30 practice which took away from study hall,” he said. “It also made it difficult to get work done, as dinner and clubs would take up time. When I got back from practice I would be very tired.”
Brendan Capshaw, a six-year senior from Southampton, Mass., feels similar to Max in regards to how to manage what can be very long days.
“I never know when my practices are as they change every day,” he said, “I also don’t like getting back from a late practice and then having to do homework”
Brendan is a part of the Athletic Performance program, which has workouts at varying times through the week and trimester.
Senior Sokichi Sullivan has a interesting problem with later practice.
“I have slept through or had to run to practice after waking up from a nap late,” he said. “I have missed three practices so far in my Williston career due to naps. It is very difficult when I have so much time in my dorm before a 5PM practice not to fall asleep.
