Kansas athletes prepare for life after athletics
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University tries to get student-athletes ready for life in the'real world'
By Scott Tittrington Special to the Kansan
When Shelby Lard, Gardner senior, walks through Allen Field House, she can't believe her days as a Kansas athlete are over.
After winning four letters as a member of the women's volleyball team, Lard, a secondary math education major, has come to terms with the fact that her life not only as a Jayhawk athlete, but also as an athlete at all, is over.
"There aren't many options to go on other than beach volleyball," Lard said. "Besides, I just don't have the talent or the desire."
As the month of May and graduation rolls around, many Kansas athletes must leave behind the sports they love and deal with the conclusion of their athletic careers.
For some, coping with this end is not a problem. After completing their athletic eligibility, many student-athletes look forward to concentrating on academics, earning a degree and entering the "real world."
Such is the case of Michele Riffel, Valparaiso, Ind., senior. Having spent the past four years as a member of the women's swimming team, she looks forward to the chance to get back into the water and train in the future.
But for now, her sights are set on earning her degree in human development.
"I should be completely finished with school in the Spring of '95, and I want to go into geriatric nursing," Riffel said. "I'll probably want to get into the water later, but now I need a break."
With all of the time once devoted to swimming now at her disposal, Riffel finds it difficult to discipline herself.
"Swimming helped me budget my time. It taught me structure," Riffel said. "I like the freedom I now have, but I miss the structure."
A key in the transformation from college athletics to the real world is the Athletic Department.
Wayne Walden, associate director of student support services, said the University offered many services to its student-athletes to help them prepare for life after athletics.
"In the last couple of years, we've started using Career Counseling and Planning Services to see where student-athletes' interests lie," Walden said. "Then, by their junior year, we encourage student-athletes to attend Career Night in Kansas City."
"It's a great opportunity for the athletes to see what's out there," Walden said. "Plus, it's great for networking and linking up with other possible job opportunities."
Career Night is a program in which Kansas athletes canto meet with KU alumni and business people from Kansas City, Topeka and other cities throughout the Midwest. Walden said the program was essential to student-athletes.
Though some student-athletes have no problems giving up their athletic endeavors, others try to hang on to their careers as long as possible.
Clint Bowen, Lawrence senior, is looking to continue the football success he enjoyed as a Jayhawk at the professional level. In doing so, he may follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Charley, who also played football for Kansas.
"I've been looking into playing in the CFL (Canadian Football League), which begins in the summer, but the prospects don't look real good," Bowen said. "Chances are, I'll end up playing Arena Football, just like my brother."
Even if a career in professional football doesn't pan out, Bowen still would like to remain involved in the game. A physical education major, Bowen said he looked forward to helping others succeed in the game he loved.
"Now that I look back upon it, the past four years went by really quick," Lard said. "But I'm done with volleyball, and I've shifted my focus to earning my degree."
"I'd like to teach P.E. in high school and do some coaching," Bowen said. "That would be the perfect life for me. I can't think of anything I'd like more than to hang out with teen-agers and help them out."
Other student-athletes, however, show no desire to hang on to their careers, and they said it was unlikely they would return to their sport after a significant layoff.
In the long run, Lard doesn't rule out the possibility of returning to the game as a coach. But for now, she said, she is devoting herself completely to the two years of school still ahead of her.
"Entering the real world seems so far off that I really haven't thought about it," Lard said. "Right now, I just want to finish school, get a job and settle down for a
while."
All three athletes share common positive memories about their days at the University, most notably the camaraderie they felt with teammates and the campus itself. Riffel said she took great pride in one particular moment of her career here.
"My best friend (KU swimmer Krista Cordsen) and I swam next to each other at the Big Eight Conference championships my freshman year, and we finished 1-2 in the 100 freestyle," Riffel said. "It was so intense, yet it almost seemed effortless. But we pushed each other to be the best."
However, there are some things that retiring college athletes won't miss.
Lard said she would not miss the difficulties she and her teammates had encountered while on the road.
"We hated to travel," Lard said. "All of the problems we had with vehicles took away from the experience. Spending countless hours at truck-stops is something I won't forget."
Still, with all of the difficulties that might befall student-athletes at the collegiate level, each athlete said they wanted to leave future Kansas athletes with a positive outlook toward their days here.
"I wouldn't have traded all of it for anything," Riffel said. "If I could go back, I'd want to do it all the same, but with what I know now."
Bowen echoed her sentiment.
"If I could leave one piece of advice for incoming freshman athletes, I'd tell them to enjoy every minute of their collegiate careers," Bowen said, "Because before you know it, it's over, and you'll wish you had it back."
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May 2,1994 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN • GRADUATION
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