ASU Soccer Players Face Rigorous Weekly Schedule Ahead of BYU Match
Data indicates Division I athletes spend nearly 68 hours per week on school and sport, a balance ASU players manage while preparing for conference play.
By Nadia Singh ·
Arizona State University women’s soccer players prepare for a match against No. 13 BYU in Provo, Utah, on Thursday. The Sun Devils hold a 9-6-3 overall record and a 4-5-1 mark in the Big 12 Conference. Their opponent, BYU, stands at 11-3-3 overall with a 7-1-2 conference record. The Big 12 Tournament starts on Nov. 9.
The NCAA’s 2025 Growth, Opportunities, Aspirations and Learning of Students in College study reports that the average Division I athlete dedicates 34 hours per week to their sport. These athletes also spend 33.5 hours on academics. The combined total reaches 67.5 hours per week for school commitments. This schedule leaves limited time for sleep, employment, social activities, and other extracurricular pursuits.
Sleep patterns for college athletes often fall below recommended levels. The National Center for Biotechnology Information states that Division I athletes average six to eight hours of sleep per night. The NCAA cites a lower average of 6.8 hours. The Sleep Doctor website recommends that college athletes receive eight to 10 hours of sleep per night to support recovery.
Kierra Blundell, a junior forward for Arizona State, studies sports business. She describes the balance between athletics and academics as difficult. Blundell advises being proactive with professors. She suggests informing instructors about travel schedules or busy periods. Blundell says getting to know professors and thinking ahead helps players stay ahead of their coursework.
Peyton Marcisz, a graduate student at the W. P. Carey School of Business, studies finance and analytical methods. She transferred to Arizona State after playing soccer at UCLA for three years and earning a bachelor’s degree in economics. Marcisz notes that college offers more freedom than high school but increases the risk of falling behind. She emphasizes the need to prioritize time commitments because leisure time is often sacrificed.
More than 90% of 20,000 athletes surveyed at 493 Division I, II, and III colleges reported that participating in athletics had a positive or very positive effect on work ethic, responsibility, and teamwork, according to the NCAA’s GOALS study. Graham Winkworth, the head coach for Arizona State women’s soccer, credits his team’s discipline for their success. Winkworth states that the players are disciplined in their approach to both sports and academics.
Winkworth observes that Big 12 teams generally maintain high academic standards. He attributes this success to the young women in the conference. The players’ ability to manage their time effectively allows them to compete at a high level while meeting their educational goals. The upcoming game against BYU will test this balance as the regular season concludes.
