Blog 4: Gabbie Hayes

Gabbie Hayes, a women’s soccer team member at Piedmont, has an experience unlike any other. Gabbie mentioned during the episode that she has an experience unlike any other. She can play the sport she loves and pursue her desired degree. Gabbie is pursuing a degree in nursing and playing a Division III sport at the same time. Not many student-athletes can do this. Many higher-level NCAA programs will only allow you to play for two years before pursuing a degree in nursing. Why is this the case? It baffles me that many student-athletes are being limited to two years of collegiate athletics for wanting to pursue a career they love. Why limit this? I believe that many student-athletes would love this opportunity, and thankfully, Piedmont allows for student-athletes to get this experience. Gabbie proves she can prove everyone wrong and do both things at once. Maybe she will be the one to set the new standard and open a door for all the student-athletes who want to play four years of a sport and pursue nursing simultaneously. What must change? Why is this a common notion among Divisions? Why won’t they let their student-athletes pursue what interests them? Let them pursue what interests them, and allow student-athletes to make a difference while proving everyone wrong.