By Caden Roberts
Tampa, Fla. – Many students will get to go home to see their families for this upcoming Thanksgiving break at USF, but most of the Student-athletes will not be able to this break because of games and practices.
Thanksgiving break at USF starts Nov. 23, which is considerably later than many schools around the country, and many students have shared their frustrations about this. Many student-athletes who are participating in fall sports at USF are mentally preparing for not being able to go home for the break
“Thanksgiving break is hard mentally for many student-athletes here that play fall sports because many of us will not spend time with our families, so it is challenging,” said Bulls punter Pierse Stainton, a Sarasota native who plays for the USF football team.
Fall sports like football and basketball have games and practices during Thanksgiving break. Bulls football plays Charlotte at home on Nov. 25, and basketball plays Maine at home on Nov. 22.
Around this time of year, it is mentally challenging for many student-athletes to understand that they won’t be going home for such a great time with family because of their commitment to their sport.
Basketball player and freshman guard Jayden Ried will not be going home for Thanksgiving break and that is a new experience for him because of basketball.
“All of this stuff is new to me because it will be the first time I cannot spend Thanksgiving at home with my family,” Reid said. Even though I have family coming down to Tampa to see me, it will probably not feel the same as going home and spending time with my family.”
Although Thanksgiving break is challenging for many student-athletes this time of year, many can see this as an opportunity to bond more closely with teammates and spend time with them.
USF offensive lineman Derek Bowman says he sees this week as a sense of coming together with his teammates even through the harsh reality of student-athletes during this time.
“A positive that comes from that is being on a team and being with a group of men that are this close kind of gives you a sense of brotherhood, said Bowman. “It gives you loved ones to be with on a holiday where ordinarily you feel lonely if you weren’t with your family.”
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