Knowing the difference between wants and needs

BY SOPHIA THOMAS

Photo Credit: The Flyover

Do you know the difference between wants and needs? The difference between wanting new shoes, and needing new shoes? The thing is, food isn’t a want, it’s a need.

On April 5, 2022, Stonehill College announced that they accepted the invitation to go Division One. Which made it a pivotal time for Skyhawk Nation.

As we are all aware, health comes from on and off the field. However, how does one expect our athletics to be Division One worthy if their athletes are not getting enough food or nutrients to succeed? If you want Division One outcomes, you need to give Division One access and necessities.

Countless student-athletes find themselves in a pickle come late October or early November when their meal plan runs out. Parents are paying upwards of $700 just to finish the semester off. Others fill their child’s debit cards because they know that Stonehill’s food for athletes has neither the quantity nor the quality for their child to succeed in their sport.

Compassion is one of the “values” here at Stonehill. However, how is one compassionate when they are a never-ending money pit? Don’t parents put enough money into education? The last thing they should be worried about is if their children have enough to eat that day.

When our athletes do not have proper nutrition, it leaves them susceptible to injuries.

Specifically, football for instance. We are now full force facing Division One schools like UNH, Georgetown, Central Connecticut, etc. How can our football team compete at the same level when they do not get the nutrients, do not make weight, and are not able to eat because the mobile app will not work. Although the hill is open until 12, on the mobile app, it means nothing when the portions are extremely small. Some football guys are ordering 3 meals for themselves because one portion is not enough.

Not only have parents spoken about this matter, so have countless athletes. They have talked about how the meal plan is very limited, and only allows you to spend roughly $10.00 a day on food. It can be assumed that a healthy nutritious meal costs about $8-10.00. However, if you eat three meals a day as recommended, you will run out of money. Although there are funds to help Stonehill students when they run out of money on their hill card, it isn’t for everyone. The funds are only for student that are approved. So, what happens when an athlete’s parents don’t want to disclose their financial hardships? What happens when their parents refuse to put more money on their card because they think their child has been using their money foolishly? What happens then?

If Stonehill genuinely cares about their student-athletes, let us see a change.

If you want to play with the big dogs, you must pay to compete. The only way we can compete is if we have stronger, more energetic, and better players. However, that starts in the kitchen. We need to put the cart in front of the horse. If we spend the money now, it will not only help our athletes, but it will also help the recruiting process. It will end up paying off in the end. Healthy athletes equal stronger athletes.

You eat better, you play better!