Texas Tech University Athletics
Down, Set, I Do!
October 02, 2006 | Football
Oct. 2, 2006
By Matt Dowdy, Texas Tech Media Relations
Throughout college football, the transition of new faces and departed teammates is a yearly thing. While some go off to the NFL or other professional leagues, many begin a new life seeking top paying jobs and beginning families.
For the majority, this process is new and unfamiliar. In college, they were not required to have jobs to support themselves. Their scholarship provided tuition, housing, and sometimes even meals. Some players, however, decide to get a jump start on this new process while still playing. No, they don't turn down their scholarship and pay for their own tuition.
They get married.
Upon marriage, players can no longer only see the practice field, game film, and their textbooks on a daily basis. Instead, once completing all of the above, they go home to see their wives every night.
"It's nice to go home to somebody who loves and cares about you and supports you," said junior linebacker Brock Stratton, whose wife Tara is also an avid football fan.
Along with Stratton, senior defensive lineman Chris Hudler, senior offensive lineman Manuel Ramirez, junior inside receiver David Schaefer, junior linebacker Paul Williams, and junior defensive end Tyler Yenzer have all walked down the aisle.
Athletic scholarships do not support two people, either. More income is needed, and since players do not have enough time during the season for even a part-time job, their wives often work to pay the bills.
"The scholarship check definitely isn't enough to support the two of us," said Stratton, who is the elder in the marriage department of the six. "Fortunately, my wife is able to have a job to help us with the finances. She is the bread winner between the two of us."
According to Hudler, whose wife Sara also works, life has been more difficult since getting married last May.
"We've got the wedding expenses to worry about and a lot of new bills that we have to take care of ourselves, so it gets a little bit more difficult financially," Hudler said.
Another difficulty all find in common is finding time for their spouses. With practices, games, and classes to go along with a working wife, conflicts frequently arise where there is little to no time in the day to spend with one another.
"There's not enough time to go around with school, marriage, and football," Hudler said. "It puts a real strain. You have to deal with it and make the best of it."
For Williams, making time to spend with his wife, Crystal, and son, Ashton, is something he has to do.
"Every time that I have time away from football, I try to spend time with my family," Williams said. "When I'm not with the team, I'm with my family."
For players, a normal day consists of going to class early, going to practice, and then returning home to either relax or study.
Some players, however, choose to attend night school like Hudler, which makes it more difficult to find time where both he and Sara are free.
"We try to make time and even if you're tired, you look past it so you can spend time with her," he said. "It's pretty tough with as much time as football demands of you and grad school at night."
Married life has never been simple to anyone regardless of age. Arguments can occur over any difference.
To Stratton, though, learning to be less selflish is key soon after marriage.
"When you're married, you have to swallow some pride sometimes and think about someone other than yourself, so that's something that can be a challenge and something you can definitely learn," Stratton said.
For the opposition, lining up across from a married player may seem appealing because of the assumption that his game has changed and he has become milder tempered.
For Hudler, however, this belief is off-based.
"I think of myself as just the same player," Hudler said. "If I've changed at all, it's for the better. I don't think it's declined at all because I've been married."
The same can not be said for Stratton, however.
"I'm a different player now. I think I've developed more passion for the game each year," stated Stratton. "More importantly, now that I'm married,
I have a wife to support and we'll have a family in the future. I think my passion increases a little bit more when I keep that in mind."
At the end of the day, whether a good practice or a bad one, win or lose, each of these players has someone waiting at home who loves them.
"The greatest thing is having someone there with you who will never leave your side and will always support you in everything you do," Stratton said. "You have a fan who is always there for you."
