Over the past year Averett University’s athletics department has added two new sports to their program. A new track and field program and a recently added men’s volleyball program attracts new athletes to join the university. Since adding two new sports programs, Averett University has seen an increase in athletes playing two or more different sports for the university, also known as multi-sport student-athletes.

“When Averett has added new sports,” Drew Wilson, director of athletics communications, said. “Current student-athletes of other sports have an interest because they want to be a part of something historic and exciting.” 

In the early years of a program, coaches tend to seek interest from current students who are already at Averett to help build their roster. Some of these walk-on students tend to be student-athletes who are already here playing another sport, there’s a good chance they also may have played multiple sports in high school. 

“In order to help build the initial roster in the early years of a program,” Wilson said. “Coaches will seek interest from current students already at Averett. Naturally, some of those tend to be student-athletes who are already here playing another sport because there’s a good chance they may have played multiple sports in high school.” 

Gianna Minafo, a sophomore on the women’s soccer and lacrosse team, was recruited to play soccer at Averett but decided after the season that she wanted to play another sport in the spring. She already had previous experience playing lacrosse in high school and liked the idea of playing a sport all year round. 

“At the end of soccer season I was going through a lot,” Minafo said. “I wanted to keep myself busy by playing another sport in the spring. My friend told me that the women’s lacrosse team needed more players, so I tried out for the team and ended up loving it.” 

Being a multi-sport student-athlete can be very hard on a student’s body and mind. At the NCAA D3 level, student-athletes have a less loaded off-season to focus on academics. When a student-athlete plays a sport in both seasons, they do not get a break physically or mentally. However, when the athlete is happy on both teams, the experience and memories are worth it.

“Although playing two sports can be physically and mentally demanding,” Minafo said. “If you have the time to be a multi-sport athlete, it is fun and exciting, allowing you to meet more people and have another family.”