Days start early for William Pruitt, a sophomore football player, having to be up by 6 a.m. for lifts before a full day of classes, position meetings and afternoon practices. By the time he finishes homework at night, the cycle is ready to repeat.
Soccer players like junior Martha Bishop follow the same rhythm, with practices, lifts and active recovery stacked on top of morning classes.
“It’s always some kind of recovery at the end of the day — ice baths, heat, compression boots,” Bishop said. “Then dinner with the team, homework and bed.”
Despite the hectic schedules, both athletes chose to add a second team to their lives — a team that comes from Samford’s Greek life community.
At Samford University, it is not easy for student athletes to try to juggle the demands of Division I athletics with the demands of Greek life. For the ones who do, the experience is usually life-altering.
“I actually got convinced,” Pruitt said. “I wasn’t really planning on rushing, but the brothers in Sigma Nu made me feel like I was on another team. They cared about me, and it was like family.”
For Martha, joining Zeta Tau Alpha was a way to expand her identity beyond athletics.
“I didn’t want to be just constantly focused on sports,” she said. “I’m more than an athlete. I’m a follower of Christ, a friend, a daughter. Greek life gave me a chance to show those other parts of myself.”
The overlap between athletics and Greek life at Samford extends beyond what most expect. Sigma Nu has a strong football tradition, numbering players and even a former coach among its members. Zeta Tau Alpha has members who are also soccer, basketball, golf and track athletes.
That overlap is not without its challenges. Both athletes admitted freshman recruitment week for their respective councils was difficult, juggling late nights of recruitment rounds after lengthy practices. But both indicated the time management skills they learned were worth it.
“I think balancing out has been something that I’ve had to really work on.” Pruitt said, “I could definitely see my grades weren’t as good as they used to be, and then I started figuring out a system.”
Pruitt stated it was not just Sigma Nu or the football team that gave him that insight, but rather both helping develop him.
Bishop had a similar experience, stating that even though she must miss events because soccer needs to come first, her sorority has been accommodating and understanding.
“It’s hard to devote 100% to both,” she said. “But Zeta has always been understanding and supportive of my schedule.
Both athletes said their Greek organizations complement, rather than conflict with, their teams. Pruitt often spends Saturdays with teammates after games before meeting up with fraternity brothers later. Martha appreciates intramurals and weekly chapter meetings have offered a break from the intensity of her sport and some consistency in her life.
“Having that other community is one of the greatest blessings,” she said. “When your cup isn’t being filled on the field, you can have another group of people who encourage you.”
Both athletes also get full support from their coaches, which Martha explained is rare at the Division 1 level.
“I’m just so grateful he even let us rush. My freshman year my assistant coach asked about it and coach got up saying ‘I don’t care about this’” Martha said.
“Whether you decide to join or not, you have to go through rush,” said Pruitt. “The friendships you make can last a lifetime.”
Martha also endorsees Greek life.
“Soon I will no longer be an athlete,” she said. “But the friends I have made through my sport and in Zeta are ones that I will always have.”
Sports Editor
