For ASU student-athletes enrolled in Barrett, The Honors College, balancing Division I athletics with the University’s most rigorous academic track requires constant discipline. Between early practices, traveling and Barrett’s requirements, these student-athletes take on demanding schedules on campus.
While all ASU athletes juggle time commitments, Barrett athletes face an added layer of pressure with higher grade expectations, an intensive course load and a community that emphasizes leadership beyond the classroom.
Only 42 of the more than 650 Sun Devil athletes compete while pursuing honors, creating a unique combination of academics and athletics.
Katie Ozard, a freshman defender on the women’s soccer team, said the environment of Barrett was a part of her decision to enroll.
"I like being driven by my peers, (and) I like being able to drive my peers," Ozard said. "I think it's important to be surrounded by like-minded people (who) are working as hard as you."
That motivation carries over to her mindset on the field.
"Through soccer, I've learned a lot of those skills, with determination, hard work (and) focus," Ozard said. "I think they've definitely shaped me into the student that I am because I want to be my best in everything, I want to put in the work (and) I want to achieve higher levels."
For Jake Mason, a senior on the men's swim and dive team, the structure Barrett requires has helped him to be "proactive rather than reactive."
Mason, as a senior, has gone through not just the highs but also the lows of being an honors student, and looking back, he sees it as a net positive.
"The rigor of being in Barrett, whether that's doing my thesis like I am right now, or the Human Event ... honors classes and honors contracts, they were definitely difficult at the time, but looking back, they're just steps that have really allowed me to fully embrace what ASU has to offer," he said.
Ella Lewis, a freshman outside hitter/libero on the volleyball team, said the transition to college athletics has been eased by maintaining her high academic standards.
"I feel like having a harder high school path too and keeping up with those grades and performing well on the court, really helped translate into moving into Division I athletics," Lewis said.
Barrett emphasizes values like leadership and community, which Lewis said align with both her personal and her team’s goals.
From Ozard’s discipline to Mason’s proactivity to Lewis’ leadership, each student-athlete said the challenge of excelling in academics and athletics pushes them to thrive under some of the highest expectations at ASU.
"I hope to be thought of now and in the future as a leader," Lewis said. "Community-wise, I feel like Barrett and our team have that value aligned. We both care a lot about community and just culture in general."
Edited by Jack McCarthy, Henry Smardo and Katrina Michalak.
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Melina Suarez is a reporter at the sports department, telling the stories of ASU sports and related topics at The State Press. She is in her 1st semester with the State Press.
