Many athletes begin their collegiate careers with scholarships. Some are not as fortunate but still desire to continue their excellence through sports as a walk-on.
While walk-on athletes exist on each sports team, most do not receive the same recognition as the high-profile athletes who are on the team with a scholarship. Multiple reasons exist for students to continue their athletic careers, even if not on scholarships, but all agree that the primary reason is for the love of the game.
Head coach Clay Calkins approached walk-on track and field athlete Morgan Overbey while she was covering an event for the television program produced by the WOUB Bobcat Sports Showcase earlier this season. Calkins remembered seeing her compete in high school, and she expressed interest in running again, though it was not in her plans.
“I never planned on playing sports in college, because I wanted to focus on school,” she said. “But, as the year progressed, I began to have second thoughts and really missed not only running track, but the competitiveness it brings.”
After a month of deliberation and paperwork, Overbey became a member of the team and was able to compete in events this season. She plans on competing in each of her next three years as a Bobcat.
Overbey’s situation was unique, but walk-ons exist on every sports team at Ohio University. Coaches recruit players who sometimes don’t qualify for scholarships.
Ohio football defensive lineman Cory Hasting was recruited by the Bobcats in high school and was told he would have a preferred walk-on position on the team, but would not be receiving a scholarship.
After being a redshirt his first season, Hasting was able to earn playing time his redshirt freshman season. After tearing his ACL the next year, Hasting was finally given a scholarship by the Bobcats for stellar play on the field.
“I was recruited by some small schools, but I really wanted to play Division 1,” Hasting said. “Working my way up was all about me competing and showing the coaches that I am as good as anyone else on the field.”
Hasting said numerous walk-on athletes are given scholarships after coaches notice the great effort an athlete is putting in on the field. He added that it is harder for walk-ons to catch the eye of the coaches as normally the scholarship players receive the most attention.
“Some coaches look at walk-ons more than others, but it’s the athlete’s job to put forth his best effort and get recognized,” Hasting said.
cl027410@ohiou.edu
