Texas Tech University Athletics
A Successful Balancing Act
November 18, 2002 | Football
Nov. 18, 2002
By Holly Krivokapich, Texas Tech Media Relations
Balancing school, football and personal time for four years is an obstacle for many Red Raiders. Some however continue their schooling, looking toward further education and more time on the gridiron. For seven Red Raiders, they may have the degree but they are still hitting the books.
Linebacker Lennard Christensen has successfully balanced football and academics. Christensen received his bachelors degree in December 2001 after only three and a half years of school. Not only did he maintain a 4.0 grade point average, Christensen's bachelor's degree was in High Performance Management, an honors program. Christensen does not feel a significant amount of difference in graduate school and undergrad, in fact he says that now it is a little easier.
"As an undergrad I was taking 15-18 hours and now in graduate school, full time is nine hours so I am kind of getting a little break in class load."
After earning his MBA, Christensen hopes to eventually open up his own company specializing in event management and consulting.
Quarterback Kliff Kingsbury not only holds almost every Tech passing record but also a respectable academic record. Kingsbury graduated in December 2001 with a degree in management and is currently working towards his master's degree in sports management. All the while he has maintained a high GPA and has been named to numerous academic teams. He will be honored by The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in December as one of its 14-members of the 2002 National Scholar-Athlete Class.
Deep snapper Eric Bartee earned his Exercise and Sports Science degree with a minor in business just three months ago but did not stop there. He is currently taking 12 hours toward his MBA. Unlike a normal student, Bartee's courses are in the evening from six to nine so he must arrange his daily life schedule to accommodate those hours as well as football. While most people are at class at nine in the morning, Bartee is studying before heading off to practice at two then class at six.
"The adjustment of hours is hard," said Bartee. "When I get home at nine after practice and class the last thing I want to do is study and do more work but that is something I have to do."
His hard work is not without perks. With Bartee being on scholarship, playing football affords him the opportunity to earn his Master's. After earning his Master's in December 2003, Bartee will search for a job in corporate America.
Defensive end Aaron Hunt received his Communications Studies degree in May 2001 and is currently taking 12 hours. Hunt hopes to skip corporate America and continue playing football except now on Sundays.
"God willing I will make it to the NFL and get to play there. If that does not work out, I would like to work as a commentator," said Hunt.
Linebacker Lawrence Flugence also received his degree in restaurant and hotel management. Flugence has plans to head to the NFL after his eligibility is up at the end of the season.
Defensive tackle Robert Wyatt has maintained excellence both on and off the field, earning academic honors every year at Tech and being a solid defensive player. Defensive tackle Josh Page and defensive back Cody Davis round out the Red Raider football roster of players who are seeking further education while playing football at Tech.
The balancing act that these players have displayed will prove fruitful for years to come giving them many memories of football and an education to rely on.
