University of Houston Athletics
The Sacrifices They Make
5/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
May 17, 2004
For some of us, participating in a sports event, means reaching over for a remote control and turning on a television set. Maybe, some go a step further and purchase a ticket. But, as you were watching, did you ever wonder what sacrifices a student-athlete makes just to have the chance to compete?
The University of Houston has nearly 400 student-athletes, who work extremely hard to be worthy representatives of our program and this institution. Many excel on the field and stand out as students. Some go further and work within the community to help make someone else's day a little brighter.
One of those athetes is Krystal Ward, who is an All-American track and field athlete, a member of the Conference USA's Commissioner's Honor Roll and mentor to middle school students.
Like most college students, Ward's day begins attending class each weekday morning. Her schedule mirrors that of any college student. But, that where the similarities end.
"I usually rush for a quick snack for lunch before heading directly to practice," Ward said. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I practice from noon-2 p.m. I have practice from 2:30-4:30 or 5:00 each Tuesday and Thursday, depending on if we lift weights that day or not.
After practice, I go home to relax for about an hour and then I study for about an average of five hours per day."
In addition to her training and studying, Ward serves as a mentor for an eighth grade student at Ryan Middle School.
"We work on her math and science at least once per week," Ward said. "I try to pick her up two-three times each week if possible. One day is a fun day and the second day we work on math and science problems. I usually print sample math problems for the TAKS test from the Texas Education Agency website and we go over those each week."
Last fall, she was a member of the choir at her church.
"We practice on Saturday afternoons from noon-2," Ward said. "Then, I spend the rest of the day studying until about 8-9 p.m. We sang in two services each Sunday and sang in Wednesday nights services once every three weeks."
In spite of her strenuous schedule, Ward still finds time to excel as a member of Houston's track and field team. She began the spring semester winning the pentathlon at the Conference USA Indoor Championships and helped lead the Lady Cougars to a third place finish as a team.
Then, she won the heptathlon and finished eighth in the javelin to help Houston win the Conference USA Outdoor title by one point over TCU, 121-120, on May 13-15.
She returns to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on June 9-13 after qualifying to compete in the heptathlon for the second time in three years. She began her collegiate career earning All-American honors and winning a C-USA heptathlon championship in her freshman year. She sat out the 2003 outdoor season after finishing as the runner-up in the pentathlon and winning the high jump at the 2003 C-USA Indoor Championships despite breaking a bone in her foot two weeks before the meet.
Ward also was a member of the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2002 and 2003 while majoring in exercise science with a minor in biology. She also served as the President of the Student-Athletes Advisory Council in 2003-04.
Krystal is a fine example of the program's overall success not only in competition, but also in the classroom and in service to the Greater Houston community.
The graduation rates for UH student-athletes have surpassed the rates for the overall student body by 13 percent this year and are approaching nearly 60 percent. Cougar teams also reach out to the community by assisting with charity projects, visiting hospitals and elementary schools, as well as supporting Special Olympics.
But the costs for athletics scholarships are expected to reach $3.5 million in 2004-05. Cougar Pride helps offset those costs even though its still in its first year of existence.
"We have had a good first year," Associate Athletics Director Katina Jackson said. "We raised over $1 million in our first year, and we are looking to double that amount next year. That will be quite an achievement if we attain that goal."
You can help offset these scholarship costs by joining Cougar Pride. So the next time you reach for something, why not reach for a pen and your checkbook and show your support not only to Cougar Pride, but also for outstanding student-athletes such as Krystal Ward.
