By Tyler Semonich
Under the bright lights of the field, court and turf, the term “student-athlete” often feels deceptively simple. At Springfield College, that label carries a weight defined by discipline, sacrifice and a relentless pursuit of excellence, both academically and athletically.
On any given weekday, in season or out of season student athletes have a packed schedule. Strength and conditioning sessions start early in the morning, followed by classes, team meetings, practices, film study and late-night assignments. It’s a schedule that leaves little room for error and even less for rest.
For athletes like football player Tyler Sordillo, volleyball standout Dylan Mulvaney and lacrosse captain Jake Degnan, that grind is simply part of their All-American lifestyles. Their experiences, which are unique to their respective sports, reflect a shared commitment to balancing two demanding identities.
“One of the most important things is finding a good balance between academics and athletics. As a freshman, it may be difficult but most student athletes start to figure it out after a year or two,” said Sordillo when asked about challenges he faced early on in his college career. “Talking to upperclassmen and asking resources for help can make a huge difference.”
Tyler didn’t come into the program and instantly get the spotlight — he had to work hard on the field and in the classroom in order to become the student athlete he ultimately wanted to be.
In his sophomore campaign, Sordillo earned a starting spot on the defensive line for the Pride, but it still wasn’t easy coasting from there. He broke a bone in his hand, limiting his play throughout his sophomore season, and also caught pneumonia at the end of the season and had to miss the NEWMAC championship.
Despite these challenges, Sordillo came back stronger than ever, having a monster junior year for the Pride tallying 12 sacks on the season.
“In the football program we talk a lot about finding your “why.” My “why” is my mom. She has been through so much in her life. I do what I do to make both myself and her proud,” Sordillo said.
His “why” carried him over obstacles, and led to him being named an All-American defensive lineman this past season. Although the road isn’t always smooth and easy, prioritizing the right things while having a strong mindset ultimately has led to Sordillo’s success both on and off the field.
Time management is another essential skill for student-athletes, as many of their days consist of both academic and athletic commitments. Classes must be scheduled around practice blocks, assignments are often completed on road trips. Recovery, whether physical or mental, must be intentional in order for peak performance on and off the field.
Junior captain of the lacrosse team Jake Degnan has been a standout for the chief-dawgs from the minute he stepped foot on Stagg Field. Since Degnan has been a valuable player to the team since his freshman year, he had to learn early on how to prioritize what is important.
“During the season, I prioritize my academics by always looking for time during the day to get work done. Whether it is between classes, in the morning, before practice, I try to take advantage of any time I have to stay on top of my schoolwork,” said Degnan.
Degnan also emphasized the importance of diet, nutrition, solid lifting and exercise, believing it is a key part to his success on the field. He talked about the importance of eating at least 3-4 meals a day, eating before practice for fuel and loading up in the off-season to put on weight and gain muscle.
Degnan is a heavily accomplished athlete because of his time management skills, proper diet and training and offseason grit. In just his first three years as a Springfield lacrosse player, he has been named the 2024 NEWMAC Rookie of the Year, 2025 All American Honorable Mention and 2026 Pre Season All American from both USA Lacrosse and InsideLacrosse.com.
For Mulvaney, success on the volleyball court is built just as much on recovery as it is on performance. In a sport that demands explosive movement, constant jumping and repetitive strain, taking care of the body becomes a non-negotiable part of the daily routine. Between practices, lifts and matches, Mulvaney emphasizes the importance of proper rest, hydration and treatment
“Managing recovery as a student athlete is the number one thing I could recommend to any athlete looking to upgrade their performance… In season I’ve found that finding a routine when it comes to nutrition, hydration, sleep, recovery, are great ways to find consistency in your performance,” said Mulvaney.
Although most athletes stretch to recover on a consistent basis, aspects of recovery such as sleep, nutrition and hydration can be often overlooked, especially at the Division III level.
“I think my approach during the season focuses on staying healthy, maintaining strength and improving everyday within my sport. In the off-season I like to switch my approach more towards lifting, getting stronger and improving any weak points in my game, while still prioritizing recovery through it all,” said Mulvaney. Last fall, Mulvaney completed an internship as a strength and conditioning coach for teams at Boston University. His knowledge on exercise, lifting and recovery has translated to his own game, as Mulvaney has been named an AVCA All-American in all three of his full seasons at Springfield, and will likely be named an All-American again this spring season, after tallying 3,000 career assists as the setter for the Pride.
Even for heavily accomplished student athletes, what is consistently worked on in the dark always shines under the bright lights on the field or on the court. The title of “student-athlete” at Springfield College represents far more than what unfolds during competition. It is a lifestyle defined by early mornings, long days and an unwavering commitment to growing in the classroom, on the field and in life.
For athletes like Sordillo, Mulvaney and Degnan, success is rooted not only in their performance in their respective sports, but in their ability to balance demanding academic workloads, master time management, maintain proper nutrition and prioritize recovery and training. Through discipline and consistency, these athletes embody what it truly means to excel at the Division III level.
(Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)