Life of A Married Student-Athlete

Men's Basketball | 12/19/2016 5:02:00 PM

A wise teammate once told me, "Man, you're so lucky. You get to go home to someone who loves you, and I just have to go home to my loud, stinky roommate." I can't argue with that! After a long day, after a struggle at school, or after practice didn't go well, I get to come home to my wife. It is one of the most rewarding things I get to experience in life and I wouldn't trade anything for it.
 
I was at ISU for two years prior to getting married. During that time, I enjoyed living on campus and rooming with my teammates. We had some great memories that I will never forget. I made some great friendships that I hope will last forever. That all changed on June 27, 2015, when I married my wife Kaitlin in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. We dated for exactly one year and that day my life changed for the better.
 
Being a student-athlete is one of the most difficult and rewarding things someone can do during college. But what about being a married student-athlete? A student-athlete is so crazy busy. Athletics is a full time job, juggling practice, weights, film, and time to workout on your own. If that wasn't enough, I decided to get married! I also, for some reason, have two majors, am involved in many clubs, and am preparing for medical school, but what's one more thing to add?!? It's not only something to add for me, but for Kaitlin as well. She is in the ISU pharmacy program and can occasionally be seen studying at my games. She's always there for me though, to support and cheer me on.
 
During the season, we travel a ton! It is fun to travel to so many places and play in so many arenas. However, aside from the difficulty of missing school, it is difficult to be away from my wife. It is also difficult for her, something that wasn't as bad before we were married because she had five roommates to spend time with. Work and school keep her busy and I remain preoccupied with travel, film, practice, and more film, but we'd still rather not be apart. Honestly, we have a great marriage and are best friends, so naturally we want to be together.
 
We are in our second basketball season of being married and we make it work, enjoying the journey each and everyday. During our first season as a married couple, I was still a walk-on and we worked at Cottonwood Cove retirement home, where we were given a place to live in return for our work serving dinner, collecting garbage, and being night managers. It was a great experience and we enjoyed working together and meeting the residents. Now that I received a scholarship, we live close to campus and have a little bit more time on our hands. There's nobody else I'd rather spend my stipend check on! Yes, it is hard to juggle everything; yes, it takes effort to be a married student-athlete; but YES, I am glad we made that decision. When you meet the person that is right for you and that makes you happier beyond explanation, it is an easy decision to get married.
 
-Erik Nakken