For the Ohio softball team, there may be nothing more challenging than a game away from home.
The softball team travels by bus to most of its road contests. For all conference match-ups more than two hours away, the team will leave the night before and stay at a local hotel. In order to maintain the team's budget, coach Roanna Brazier said the team tries to fly only once a year and will fly only when it is definitely not driving distance.
When it comes to finding a place to sleep on the road, the softball team is not particularly picky.
We don't need to stay at extravagant places
Brazier said. We try to find places that are affordable yet not a dump. All we really need is a bed a shower and a place to study.
Finding a place to eat that will please everyone can be a challenge also, especially on a budget. When picking a place to eat, Brazier said that she looks for a place where everyone can find something healthy to eat.
We try to stay away from fast food
she said. We look for affordable places that offer a variety like T.G.I.Fridays or a buffet.
Finding time for schoolwork is another challenge the team encounters when traveling, but Brazier said she feels that the team is very diligent and rarely has to remind them when to focus on homework.
Everyone is very serious about their studies
Brazier said. We set certain times to study but we're fortunate to have a team that studies anyways. We have a DVD player on the bus but rarely use it because of this.
Finding time for schoolwork can be especially challenging to freshman players. Freshman shortstop Maureen McKelvey said it was tough at first but has gotten used to it.
It was kind of hard in the beginning knowing what work I had to get done and when to do it. I've adjusted now. McKelvey said.
Despite having four years of experience, senior Jenny Tisevich still feels overwhelmed at times with the workload that comes with being a student-athlete.
It's really hard to come back after a road game on Wednesday nights and still have a ton of stuff to do
Tisevich said. I've gotten a lot better at it though. It definitely takes some getting used to and you have to use every moment possible.
Even though road trips are not her favorite thing in the world, Tisevich says she still enjoys the comradery that comes with being together for hours on end.
It's just great being able to be around your teammates
Tisevich said. Even though we're together all the time
it's still fun. Since we room with different people every time
you get to know each other a lot better.
Despite all of the good times that are had on the road, Brazier says there is nothing the team loves more than home games.
We just love to play at home
Brazier said. It is a very fan-friendly place. Sitting on the bus for hours will just wear you out. It takes us out of our daily routine and we have to live out of a suitcase. That can be tough on anyone.
