1. Thou shall respect their schedule:
From practice to weight room to film, they are very busy during the week. Understand that they may not always be able to talk on the phone or do date night that week. On top of their sports schedule, they also have school work. Let them know you understand their busy schedule and work out times and dates that work for both of you.
2. Thou shall love their team:
How do I start with the team? This is their family away from home, and away from you. Understand, especially in the beginning of the relationship, your significant other will be the center of attention with questions about your relationship. Please understand they spend most of their time with the team and they are an important part of this life. Once you start hanging out with them (and you will), they are great friends and who doesn’t love when your significant other likes your friends?
3. Thou shall tread lightly:
All athletes, especially at the college level, are very passionate about their sport, which can also mean they are very intense. When they don’t do well in a game or other event, they’re probably going to be pissed. Its good to learn to give them space during this time but also express that you are there for them.
4. Thou shall learn the sport:
I’ve watched football a lot with my dad growing up but I never cared to actually learn it. With my boyfriend being a college football player, it became difficult not knowing the sport during games and even in conversation. Communication is very important in a relationship, and a way to support your athlete will involve going to games and talking about a rough day a practice. Learning the sport will make things easier and also show your support and that you are interested in what’s important to them.
5. Thou shall not stay up late:
Please remember, these athletes are busy! Their days are long and packed with intense workouts plus school work. You will have to learn to either go to bed early or stay up later without texting them. We always hear about those cute couples that stay up until 2 in the morning texting, but respect that that’s not possible for a college athlete and that’s ok. Make sure when you are saying goodnight that you don’t make them feel bad about doing to bed before you.
6. Thou shall befriend the other WAGS:
When you and your athlete hang out with their teammates, their significant others will most likely be there too. You will often interact with the other S.Os so try to get to know them. It’s good to surround yourself with other people that know the struggles you are also going through while dating an athlete.
7. Thou shall accept their weekends:
Whether it’s traveling for games or just being exhausted from practice, they might not be able to go out with you on the weekends. A lot of the time when thinking of athletics you also think of the parties they have and the availability to you. But you always have to remember that they are hard-working student athletes and they are human. If they can’t go out because they are away or too tired, support them and have a FaceTime date before bed or order food in and watch Netflix.
8. Thou shall not envy their fans:
Lets face it. Whether at parties or events or in the dining hall, athletes are always gawked at and admired my other students. When their sport is a big deal at school, your athlete will have fans. You will hear people in the stands talking about how hot your athlete is, and they may even try to talk to them after the game. Don’t throw a hissy fit and understand that’s part of being a college athlete. There are cheerleaders and students always around the team, but the key is to show them you are their number one fan.
9. Thou shall love sweats:
The majority of the week is spent working out and practicing in uncomfortable equipment so there is nothing they want more than to live in their sweats the rest of the week. Don’t force them to “try and look for presentable”; you will get a dirty look. Accept their love for sweats and bonus? YOU GET TO SWEATS. ALL THE TIME!
10. Thou shall not quit:
Being a very committed athlete in high school, I understand how difficult it is to have to give up your social life for sports. But it is even more difficult when people close to you ask: “Why don’t you just quit?”. When dating a college athlete, understand why they play. They love their sport and are very passionate about it so it really sucks when they feel like they aren’t supported. Be sure to express how much you care about them and how much you respect that commitment they have to their sport.