Behind the Jersey: The Silent Struggles of Student-Athletes

Most people see the highlights­—the winning shot, the electrifying dunk, the perfect hit down the line—but they don’t see the mental battles fought behind the scenes. My name is Kali Haizlip, and I play basketball at the University of Texas at Arlington, and I’ve learned that strength isn’t just measured in statistics or wins—it’s also in how we navigate the challenges no one talks about. 

            For years, I’ve carried the weight of expectations: to perform at my best, make shots, stay in shape, maintain my grades, to show up for my team, be a good big sister and daughter, be a good partner, always have a good attitude, and never stop working.

 On the outside, it might seem like I’m thriving and happy, but on the inside, it often feels like my love for the game is withering away. Now more than ever, the anxiety and pressure are affecting me. It’s a reality many athletes face but are reluctant to acknowledge.

And I am not alone.

According to the NCAA, 32.1% of women athletes reported feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities, and 25.5% of women reported feeling mentally exhausted by their sports. These numbers aren’t just abstract statistics—they represent real people. Paige Reagor, a graduate volleyball player at UTA, understands this all too well.

“Volleyball was tough, and there was a lot happening outside of the game that just made it hard for me to enjoy what I do,” said Reagor, who struggled with anxiety before transferring to UTA. “Overwhelming doesn’t even begin to describe what I was feeling, but being at UTA now, playing alongside some of my best friends, it makes it 100 times easier to show up as my best self every day.”

Even amidst the struggles, athletes can find comfort in the togetherness of a team. And for me, being part of a team is like having a family. Just like with my own family, I lean on them for support through the difficult moments. From the hard practices and the tough losses to the late-night bus rides and the inside jokes, the camaraderie reminds us that we’re in this together and fighting for the same thing.

But injury can isolate you from the very thing that provides you comfort. It’s not always the physical pain, but it’s the feeling of being left behind while the team moves forward.

A recent study conducted with college athletes showed an increase in feelings of isolation after an injury. Before injury, 29.8% of athletes reported never feeling isolated, but after an injury that number dropped to 14.9%. Meanwhile, the percentage of athletes who often felt isolated rose from 6.4% to 21.3%.

“Not being able to practice or play definitely made it feel harder to connect with my teammates on that level, and I felt out of place,” said Aubrey Reid, a redshirt freshman on the UTA women’s basketball team. “It felt like I wasn’t really supposed to be there due to not being able to experience what everyone else was (experiencing).”

Reid underwent meniscus surgery at the beginning of the 2023-24 basketball season. Her injury forced her to miss the rest of the season, leaving her searching for tools to rebuild her sense of self. “Prioritizing your mental health is the best thing you can do for yourself,” she said.

The pressure to perform can be unrelenting, especially when you’re competing on the biggest stages. According to the NCAA, 9% of male athletes report experiencing overwhelming anxiety daily while 17% feel mentally exhausted. Of those men, 17% said playing time had the most impact on their mental health.

“During the (NCAA) tournament, there was a lot of pressure on our team to succeed,” said Isaiah Watts, a sophomore guard for the Washington State University men’s basketball team. “Although I didn’t have a huge role, you could feel the pressure, and mental preparation was a big part of our team’s success.”

The Cougars lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament, but as Watts described, the run was a great learning experience. He wants younger athletes to remember to enjoy and embrace their circumstances, as you never know when it’ll be over.

Behind every jersey is a story of resilience and perseverance. The mental battles we fight, that are often in the dark, are just as critical as any game-winning play. Whether it’s the anxiety of balancing expectation, or the pressure of performing in front of the biggest of crowds, these challenges are a reminder of our humanity. Let this story begin to redefine what strength looks like in sports— not just in wins, but in vulnerability and mental toughness.