By Calen McKinney, Campbellsville Independent Schools 

Campbellsville High School students recently heard first-hand what it takes to be a college athlete.

Campbellsville University student Erin Benton, who is student teaching at CHS, organized College Sports Night, which was Tuesday, Oct. 27.

During sports night, CU athletes and coaches talked to a group of about 20 students about what it takes to be a collegiate athlete.

CU men's tennis head coach Kyle Caven talked to students about how important GPA is, and how it impacts students in college.

CU assistant women's basketball coach Miranda Denney encouraged students to work hard in high school, and said that effort will pay off at college. She said students become more desirable to coaches when they have strong academics and character.

CU assistant women's basketball coach Miranda Denney tells CHS students that she wants players who work hard and have good character. (CHS Photo by Calen McKinney)

Jim Hardy, assistant director of athletics, told students they will compete against students from all over the nation to be admitted into college. He said students who only come to college to play sports are making a big mistake.

“Look at the bigger picture,” he said.

And that is getting a degree that can help students build their futures, Hardy said. 

Hardy said having a strong GPA and high ACT scores will help students, and save coaches money when it comes to scholarships. As a result, he said, those students' applications might go to the top of the pile.

He said students should realize they might have been a star in high school, but will have to pay their dues in college. That might mean not playing much their freshman year, Hardy said.

Benton, who is a graduate assistant with the CU softball team, said she invited a CU athlete from the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior class to discuss their experiences being an athlete in college.

Softball player Kelly Wheeler, a freshman, said her work ethic changed a lot when going to college.

Bri Scott, a sophomore softball player, said she had to step up and be more of a role model this year, especially to her freshman teammates.

Softball player Brittany Rippy, a junior, said underclassmen will look to juniors and seniors for advice, and they should lead by example.

Erik Krivitsky, a senior football player, said the final year of college is something every senior should cherish. He said seniors become the “moms” and “dads” of the team during their final year.

After coaches and players talked to the group, students interested in playing specific sports in college talked to CU students who are playing that sport. The players talked to students about managing practice and games with academics, what their coaches expect from them and more.

Other photos from the event can be found on the university's Flickr here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/campbellsvilleedu/albums/72157660495694821