The Daily Grind: Blazing your own path

Following graduation, one of the most difficult things for a typical student-athlete to do is to decide on a career route. No matter if it's maintaining a career in athletics, finding the perfect school or moving on from sports in general, there are many options available.

I’ve interviewed many high school seniors thus far, and when I ask them what’s next, the answer is mostly about continuing their career in athletics. But earlier this year, I was reminded that not all athletes are looking to play at the next level, some have other passions they want to pursue.

This edition of the Daily Grind was inspired by a former Doniphan Donette basketball standout, Kenzie Redus, who showed me the importance of choosing your own path.

For those who are unfamiliar, Redus averaged 18 points, six blocks and six rebounds in her final season with the Donettes. She was named All-State All-Conference, All-District, District Play of the Year and is a three-year letterman. With a solid high school career, some people, including me, expected Redus to take her game to the next level, whether that was junior college or beyond that.

But at the end of our conversation, Redus informed me that she was done with basketball. As the basketball lover that I am, it completely caught me by surprise. I have been so accustomed to hearing players express their desire to play at a higher level, so to hear a player that’s very capable of playing college ball say she was done, I was just completely blown away.

Once the interview was over, I told her that I respected and admired her for knowing the path she wanted to take and not the one that was decided for her.

Student-athletes frequently find themselves in the position of believing that participating in a sport while attending college is the only way to achieve success or even make it to a college campus. I'm here to tell you that that's not the case. Sports are enjoyable. It's supposed to be about fun, building friendships and becoming a family. For the most part, it's used as a tool—a tool to gain an education or a scholarship.

Nowadays, the pressure for a student-athlete to find a college after high school has reached an all-time high. It has gone from finding the best school and education to choosing which college commitment graphic will give them the most likes and shares on social media.

If no one told you, it's okay to do whatever you want to do when your high school career is over. Whether it’s D1, D2, D3, junior college or not playing a sport at all, choose your own path.

I’ve had those same dreams of playing college basketball, but I quickly realized that my body is not made for sports. During those times in high school, playing basketball was fun but also dreadful. I was constantly in pain, and I just didn't enjoy practice or weightlifting. It was causing so much stress on my body that it wasn’t fun anymore. I’m only sharing to inform student-athletes that they don’t have to be forced into playing a sport and that being a student is okay.

To the student-athletes, you have many choices after high school and the fun thing about that is that you can do or be whatever you want. It’s not your parent's life, your coaches or your friends, it's yours.

If you decide that you no longer want to play ball and instead want to do something else, you do that. At the end of the day, it's only going to be you on your journey. Of course, you're going to have people by your side, but it's up to you to decide which path you want to take.

This is my 10th edition of the Daily Grind, and I hope my words of encouragement are helping some of you navigate through the life of a student-athlete.

I wish you all the best of luck this fall as you try to maneuver your way to success as a student-athlete. Remember, nothing in this world can stop you from achieving greatness if you stick to the daily grind.

D’Courtland Christian is the sports editor of the Daily American Republic. Contact him at dchristian@darnews.com.