Better Be Ready to Work for that Scholarship!
November 7th, 2008 - byRecruits always dream of running out onto the field under the bright lights with thousands of fans cheering. They think how much joy they will feel while playing college sports. I just wanted to take a minute to remind everyone just how much work it takes to play at the next level. The New York Times examined the work habits of Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. I am sure many will be shocked at the extra time Tebow puts into the game outside of practice.
But one aspect of his life has gone virtually unnoticed outside the team: In his evolution from a run-first battering ram 
to a polished passer and decision-maker, Tebow has found paradise in the flickering light of game film.
“He’s as hard of a worker as I’ve ever had,” said Coach Urban Meyer, whose No. 5 Gators (7-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) face No. 8 Georgia on Saturday in a game that will essentially eliminate the loser from the SEC and national title races. “From the weight room to film prep to practice, when he’s your leader and quarterback and he works as hard as he does, it has a positive effect on the team.”
Tebow said he voluntarily spends 20 hours a week digesting film of opponents, far more time than he devotes to studying for school. (He has a 3.81 grade point average.) And he said he spends about twice as much time with Mullen than he does with anyone else. Mullen said he shares more time with Tebow during the season than he does with his wife, Megan.
A recent afternoon spent watching film with them made it apparent that the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Tebow derives as much joy from poring over the nuances of the game as he does from lowering his shoulder into an oncoming safety.
“I love it,” Tebow said as he flipped through film of Georgia’s defense on Sunday. “I love just studying teams. I just love football and everything about it in general. You just have to have a passion for it.”
I bring up this point to make sure athletes understand the type of work it takes to be successful at the highest level of college sports. During my time at NCSA I have seen numerous athletes turn down Division I scholarship offers simply because they feel more comfortable with academic/athletic balance at Division II, III or NAIA schools. Their path may not fit conventional wisdom, but it is the right fit for them.
