Spring-sports athletics are in full swing at this point, but have you ever wondered what athletes were doing out-of-season?
Carolyn Alcantara, a sophomore accounting major, is a softball player here at Cabrini University. During her off-season, she was extremely busy with the extracurricular activities she partakes in.
Alcantara is a student ambassador, a mathematics tutor and is involved with many groups on campus.
“During the fall, I have more freedom to do more extracurricular activities,”Alcantara said.
She is involved in the accounting association, black student union, young and motivated, is in the American Institute of certified public accountants (AICPA) and a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of certified public accountants (PICPA).
When softball was not in season, Alcantara still went to the gym to stay in shape.
“I try to go to the gym twice a week during my off-season,”Alcantara said.
She added that there are mandatory lifting times for the team as well. During the off-season, the sport requires less dedication, but once the season rolls around, her time becomes more limited.
Since Alcantara has more free time in the fall and winter then she does in the spring, the adjustment can be tough moving into softball season. Alcantara handles this adjustment by being organized and making schedules.
“I manage my time by having a planner and writing down what I have to do. Usually, with the jobs, I tell them that I can’t work as much because I am in season and they are very understanding of that,”Alcantara said.
While out-of-season, the softball team still got together.
“I do spend time with my team off-season, by just all getting together and hanging out. We also do fundraising events for our trip over spring break to Florida,”Alcantara said.
She feels spending time together during off-season keeps the team close and keeps their bond strong.
Whether or not the team is in season, they are still a family. The connection they share is one like no other. Even though being a student-athlete leaves you with limited time, it also gives friends that can last a lifetime.
“They become a family whether you’re on- or off-season. You are always connected,”Alcantara said. “We go through a lot together from conditioning and getting ready for the season, to being on the field together and having a bond like no other.”
