Imagine being a father while being a student athlete; how much work you would have on your shoulders? Being a parent is not an easy task. You have to able to provide for your child physically and mentally. Managing school and being a father back home is major responsibility. You have to make time to study for your classes then you have to go to practices or travel for competitions.
At Cabrini University, Anthony Downing is a father. He had his daughter in his junior year and he still manages to play basketball and go to his classes. Anthony explains that it is not easy being a father and student athlete. It is not easy because it takes a lot of your time especially being on the road a lot traveling around for games. Downing was offered three full scholarships this past summer but did not take them. He did not want to be far away from his daughter missing her first steps, first words and first birthday.
“I feel like I’m always moving. Sometimes my body can’t make it through certain days because it is so drained sometimes from practice or school,” Anthony Downing, a senior on Cabrini’s basketball team, said.
It is very important to create a schedule and be organized during your day when you have a full agenda. Anthony has come up with a way to deal with time management due to the fact that he has to fit everything in a little short timing. If he has to miss some sleep to go visit his daughter he will do just so. He makes time throughout the week to visit her. If Downing has to miss practice to take his daughter to her appointments he will do so. Downing has a good relationship with his professors and coach. They communicate and are aware that Downing has a child. With a simple conversation Anthony is able to come to an understanding with facilities if he has a reason to leave campus to care for his daughter.
“I have a open communication with a few staff members at the university. Knowing I can just have a simple conversation about life is good for me,” Downing said.
There are times when life can get hard for all of us but with a child being involved there is more pressure. You have your family, your child and friends all on your back trying to make them happy. There have been times Anthony has wanted to give up. He explains when his daughter was first born he felt as though he was not there as much as he should of been due to the fact that the season just started. His grades began to slip and he started to lose focus, what kept him going was his mother.
“She kept me on track and kept me focused throughout the school year making sure I would not give up and finish school,” Downing said.
Anthony has plenty support his mother Tenja and his daughters mother, Precious. Not only are they supportive of him but mentally they are always making sure he is on top of his work making sure he does not give up.
“I think all of the hard work and sacrificing I been doing is going to pay off for me to play professional overseas,” Downing said.
