A lot of people may think it's tough being a college athlete on days like Thanksgiving. I'm here to say that there isn't a group of people who have it better on a day like today.
First off, you're getting to do what you love. You either get a break because your team doesn't have a tournament or game to play in, and coaches won't make you practice, or you're playing in a high level competition. Not to mention that in a lot of cases, take UConn and Michigan State for example, you get to travel somewhere awesome like the Bahamas just to play basketball. Other teams get to go places like Vegas, the Mecca of basketball Madison Square Garden, and in year's past, Maui, Hawaii.* Sure it might be tough if you're family can't arrange travel to come watch you play, but you know they're watching you on a big-time network at the very least.
*And if you're playing in a football game like the Egg Bowl today, it's a blood rivalry that means so much more than most games and must be incredible to be a part of.
So what about the Thanksgiving food? They have to miss out on that, right? I would be stunned if they did. These kids are going to be treated so well, and given some of the best food imaginable for coming to these events. Normally, players get taken advantage of, but their coaches wouldn't allow the events to take advantage of who they are, because coaches are largely ego maniacs. If they don't get treated well, then why would they even go? Maybe you can't load up on 3-4 rounds of turkey like most do, but I would assume they have access to whatever they could dream of to put on their plates.
College athletes put up with a lot, but a day like Thanksgiving is a win-win for them.
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