Addressing the student athlete stigma

There is a stigma about student-athletes at Muhlenberg College. Professors, students and, strangely enough, other athletes label student athletes. This stems from preconceived notions and interactions with athletes as a whole. In the broader sense, athletics maintain a negative connotation but each team on campus also has its own stereotype within the broader athletic scope. Each team has a different reputation, whether it is on the field, in the classroom, or out at a party. This applies to all varsity teams, both men and women, and all seasons of the athletic year.

Being a member of the women’s lacrosse team, I’ve heard different explanations of each team when I was a first year, and they continue to grow as I approach graduation. “We are a very tight knit team; everyone loves everyone and enjoys each other’s company,” explains Jordy Bonvini ‘18, a junior on the Women’s Lacrosse team. “We help each other out on and off the field,” Bonivini says confidently about her teammates. The women’s lacrosse team has always been serious on the field and an energetic group around campus and in the nightlife scene. “We are a very outgoing team, we will all be together fooling around on campus,” Bonvini said of the team chemistry with a lighthearted feel. “When you walk into the dining hall you know which tables are filled with the lacrosse girls because of the connection and friendship.”

Hearing Bonvini speak about her team only gives an inside perspective, but Mike Schwartz ‘17, a senior Media and Communications major, does not stray far from Bonvini’s insight. “Well, my freshman year I instantly became friends with the girls’ lacrosse team because they were living on my floor. I think they are a charismatic group of girls who will do anything for the other members of their team. I think they are driven and determined,” said Schwartz as he eagerly answered the question. Although his friendship is strong with the team, the stereotypes still linger. “I think outside people can think they can be a little cliquey, and tend to stick to themselves as a team. I think like any sports team, people assume they are huge partiers,” explained Schwartz.

The bigger the team, the bigger the partiers, right? With over 100 football players, there is no way to be subtle about throwing a party or being recognized in a classroom. “I have heard that we are just dumb jocks and only hang out with each other and will never hangout with other guys around campus,” said freshman Danny Allison ‘20. “On and off the field most kids are the same, but some act different when they go out to party,” Allison explained, not really sure how to describe the atmosphere.

The other prominent team on campus, men’s lacrosse, has the same standards in a team. “Our team consists of about 35 guys that get along really well,” said Dan Doreste ‘19, a sophomore on the men’s lacrosse team. When it comes to a social life, the lacrosse team and the football team view themselves similarly. “When we see each other off the field, the relationship becomes much more light-hearted and less focused on lacrosse,” said Doreste.

When asked about how he sees the football team, Doreste commented how they are a very prominent presence on campus. “On the field I know them as a hardworking successful team. I have heard that sometimes at parties certain members are hostile, but for the most part they’re nice guys,” Doreste hesitantly explained as he assured that they were only rumors.

Every person I spoke to had no problem speaking about their own team whether it was about being on the field, off the field or the stereotypes they’ve heard. When I asked about other teams on campus, each individual seemed hesitant to speak badly of another sports team. It draws the question, where do these rumors and stereotypes even come from? It seemed as though these athletes were more confident speaking about the cons of their own teams rather than bashing other teams. There has been such a long line of reputations and stereotypes being repeatedly told that maybe team members just believe that’s what other people think without any real action being taken to prove it.

The plotting of bad reputations comes from within each other and spread like weeds to each incoming class on a need to know basis. As athletes, it is important to uphold a reputation that no one can shame, but clearly that starts from within. What would happen if there were a clean slate for all of us and no one told their team members what they thought they knew about other athletes? A lot could change.