<p>Does anyone have an opinion on being a student-athlete at Hillsdale? It is on my daughter's prospect list.</p>
<p>I hear things get quite busy. But the athletes are like the rest of the students (for the most part) in staying out of trouble, if that’s what you’re wondering; peer pressure is quite low.
BUT … It is peeving (especially for the professors) when athletes come to class in their warm-ups, jerseys, athletic short shorts, etc., so make sure your daughter dresses respectfully.
(How Hillsdale students typically dress for class–well, that’s a topic for another thread.)</p>
<p>Like any prospective student, your daughter should visit and find out what she thinks of campus and classes. As an athlete, I’m sure she should meet the coach and some of her prospective teammates. Some sports are insular, some are not. Some student athletes are eat, sleep, study and play sports, but others are very active in other activities as well.</p>
<p>The simple fact is that Hillsdale academics are tough, and having a sports commitment makes it tougher. That said, most of my friends who played sports handled it quite well.</p>
<p>BrotherAtticus, do you still get calls from your parents making sure you “dress respectfully”? Save that business for Patrick Henry, Liberty, and Bob Jones. Otherwise I’m going to have to strike it rich, move back to Hillsdale, buy the old Phi Sig lot and start throwing weekly keggers.</p>
<p>Naw, my parents actually criticize my level of “casual” nowadays, but what can I say, after years of public school I finally got tired of the “don’t-care” atmosphere.
Anyway, I say with little naivete that the Hillsdale education is about ensuring independent and responsible conduct at all levels of society, including the individual. I do love the exciting blend of old and recent alumni each Homecoming, but a college should not have to be considered uptight for the students to willingly show a little decorum. And they do. Hillsdale is undergoing a meteoric rise in national and academic reputation, so however its people choose to foster such an environment, you ought to support. Thank you for being part of the alumni family. Please come throw that kegger if you like, and don’t be stingy with the invites ;)</p>