Bridget Callahan

ENC 1102
Workshop Draft 3
Binge Drinking and College Athletics Research Paper

Being a student athlete at the University of Central Florida, I have personally witnessed
fellow student-athletes participate in heavy episodic drinking. I have spent many nights having to
pick up my teammates from the bar, drive them home while they sit lifeless in the back seat, hold
their hair while they are throwing up pure liquid, and explaining to them the next morning what
went on a couple of hours before. Its a very consistent situation that occurs and I am sure that if
it happens to my team extremely often, than it happens to other teams institutionally and
nationally. Binge drinking amongst college athletes is a big problem that has not been made a
focus of collegiate institutions because, although the athletic piece is a big part of universities,
faculty and staff are unaware of what goes on off of the practice and game fields, and outside of
the locker room and classroom. Research among college students indicates that individuals
involved in athletics are more likely to engage in a wide range of risky behaviors than
nonathletes are (Hildebrand et al., 2001; Leichliter et al., 1998; Nattiv et al., 1997; Wilson et al.,
2004). Student-athletes are just like normal students, besides having to handle a sport in the mix
of it all.
Between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two, almost every college student has the same
mindset: to receive an education and graduate with a degree, but also to have the time of their
life while doing so. However, it becomes to be a game of balance. Like any other student,
student-athletes are tempted to experience things that they might not have ever experienced

before. In college, one of these experiences is going out, partying, and drinking with their peers
or teammates. The reoccurring issue is that student-athletes are more susceptible to participate in
the act of binge drinking rather than the majority of college students who moderately drink.
Over the course of the past decade, several national studies have reported that college student
athletes do drink, often drink heavily, and experience a range of associated negative
consequences (Tewksbury, Higgins, and Mustaine 278). Although the average student drinks
less increments of alcohol at a time, they do it more often; whereas student-athletes do not drink
as often, but drink excessively when given with the opportunity to do so. This can be caused by
multiple reasons due to constraints that athletes may face throughout their season such as: they
have less time to participate in activities, a competitive nature, and use it in an effort to manage
stress. Compared to the average student, college athletes typically have less time to participate in
normal college activities because of their sport participation and academic expectations that the
university holds upon them. Due to the fact that athletes are limited on their time to participate in
activities outside of sports and school, they use alcohol as a way to manage the stress that comes
along with being an student-athlete. Student athletes also have a more competitive nature;
therefore, they are likely to drink more heavily than the average student. These are all problems
that can result negatively for student-athletes when they drink, and can potentially ruin their
future as student-athletes.
Alcohol is the most commonly used recreational drug in the world. For student-athletes,
it is easy to obtain, consume, and effects their bodies faster than non-athletes due to very little
consumption because of participation in activities. When consumed, alcohol can have many
negative effects on the body resulting in poor performances as a student-athlete. In the research
article, Alcohol: Impact on Sports Performance and Recovery in Male Athletes, the negative

effects of alcohol on athletic performances and recovery are talked about including muscle
development and recovery, your ability to learn new plays and strategies, your nutrition and
endurance, and much more.
Few athletes realize that consuming alcohol after a workout, game, practice, lift, or any
sort of competition can completely cancel out any sort of gain they had just previously received
from their strenuous activity. Long term alcohol use diminishes protein synthesis which results in
a decrease of muscle build-up; whereas, even short-term alcohol consumption results in
impediment of muscle growth. In order for ones body to build muscle to assist in better
performances, your body needs sleep or rest after a workout. Alcohol consumption effects your
sleep and your rest, resulting in deprivation of a chemical called HGH or human-growth
hormone. In Mary Anne Dunkins online article, Human Growth Hormone, she states HGH,
produced by the pituitary gland, spurs growth in children and adolescents. It also helps to
regulate body composition, body fluids, muscle and bone growth, sugar and fat metabolism, and
possibly heart function. That saying, HGH, or human growth hormone, plays a very big role in
the development of collegiate athletes. In an online article written by authors from the
McDonald Center for Student Well-Being, it states on HGH, Alcohol however can decrease the
secretion of HGH by as much as 70%. With this, the consumption of alcohol is a negative effect
in the development of your muscles. Along with a negative effect in your muscle recovery and
development, it also triggers production of the a negative substance counteracting with ATP, or
adenosine triphosphate, which is your muscles source of energy. Since ATP provides the energy
for your muscles to contract, consuming alcohol disrupts the water balance in your cells, which
alters the ability to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Not only does excessive drinking effect the muscles in your body, leading to a potentially
poor performance, it effects your ability to learn new plays and strategies as a student-athlete. In
many sports, the preparation for the contest, such as learning new plays, strategy and certain
skills, is an essential ingredient to a high caliber performance. In Clive Harpers research article,
The Neuropathology of Alcohol-Related Brain Damage, he talks about the damage alcohol and
excessive drinking has on your brain. He states, Excessive alcohol use can cause structural and
functional abnormalities of the brain and this has significant health, social and economic
implications for most countries in the world. Even heavy social drinkers who have no specific
neurological or hepatic problems show signs of regional brain damage and cognitive
dysfunction. When alcohol is in your system, it impairs the brains ability to perform certain
everyday tasks that one should have no problem doing. It reduces the ability to retain
information. Excessive drinking compromises the hippocampus, a structure very deep inside of
you brain which is vital to remember and form new memories. The article, Alcohol and Athletes,
taken from the McDonald Center for Student Well-Being, provided me some facts on the effects
of alcohol on the brain. It states:
1. Consuming five or more alcoholic beverages in one night can affect brain and body
activities for up to three days
2. Two consecutive nights of drinking five or more alcoholic beverages can affect brain
and body activities for up to five days.
3. Attention span is shorter for periods up to forty-eight hours after drinking.
4. Even small amounts of alcohol BAC of .03 can persist for a substantial period of time
after the acute effects of alcohol impairment disappear.

From these four facts, it is easy to say that alcohol and binge drinking plays a big role on
your brain development, negatively impacting your retention of new plays, strategies, and most
importantly your performance.
Lastly, alcohol and binge drinking negatively affects your nutrition and endurance. I
interviewed a team nutritionist at the University of Central Florida she provided me with
important information for my research on the effects of binge-drinking in college athletics. She
stated,
Alcohol has little to nutritional value at all. The high calories have no positive effect on
your body and we treat alcohol as fat, converting it into fatty acids. Excessive bingedrinking and alcohol produces NADH, which reduces the production of muscle
fueling

and source of energy, ATP. This then results in a loss of endurance and a

high lack of

energy. Alcohol also absorbs very important nutrients and vitamins such as

vitamin B12,

zinc, folic acid, and thiamin. Each of these have their own specific job to

keep the body

functioning. Vitamin B12 maintains healthy nerve cells and red blood

cells, zinc is key in

metabolic processing, which if depleted can have a negative effect

on your endurance,

folic acid helps in the production of new cells, and thiamin is

involved in the breaking

down of carbs, proteins, and fats, and also the formation of

hemoglobin.
Each of these nutrients play a very important role in both student-athlete and non-athletes
bodies. However, in order for athletes to perform at their peak, they cannot be lacking in the
nutrition aspect of their lives. These nutrients are all essentials in performing to the best of their
abilities on and off the field, however, with the consumption of alcohol in large quantities in a
short period of time when given the opportunity to do so, performing would be out of reach.

Many student-athletes do not believe that binge-drinking and consuming large amounts of
alcohol when given the chance is negatively effecting their bodies and performances. They are
unaware of the consequences that could occur within their university or with the federal law. Due
to a competitive spirit, many student-athletes believe that they can out-drink or last longer
than non-athletes who drink in moderation on a regular basis. Unfortunately, a handful have
found out the consequences prior to the action of binge-drinking. One student-athlete I
interviewed believes that alcohol has no effect on her body and that it generally makes her
perform better. She uses it as an escape route from the stress of her sport and schooling. Another
student-athlete I interviewed believes that athletes should be allowed to participate in drinking
whenever they please to. This goes to show that many student-athletes want to be able to have a
college experience like non-athletes do, however, they are not knowledgeable of the
consequences that can be bestowed upon them health wise, within their respected institution, or
with the law.
The first student-athlete I interviewed plays a very demanding sport. Her practices
involve running, five times a week for two hours, along with three days of morning weight
lifting. According to the NCAA, teams are allowed up to twenty hours of practice a week, four
hours per day, three hours of competition, and only one day off. The student-athlete I was
interviewing was completely aware of these rules and regulations and proceeded to say, How do
they not expect us to go out and have a good time? We are bombarded with a work load on and
off the field and they expect me not to go out and drink when given the chance to? She believes
that binge-drinking and being hungover is just a mindset. She does not agree with the fact that
excessive alcohol can alter your performance, long-term and short-term, and finds it irrational.

She was understanding of the federal consequences that can occur, including DUIs, MIPs,
Public Intoxication, and many more, however, she was unaware of the health risks.
My second-interview was with another student-athlete who received All-American
recognition in their sport, was an Academic All-American, an all-region recipient, and an all
conference player. He is a very successful student-athlete institutionally and nationally. His
interview was much more detailed and passionate with his answers than the previous interview
with the female student-athlete. His sport was not as demanding as the previous student-athlete,
however, he did not drink as much as she due to a more strenuous travel schedule. I asked him
his opinion on binge-drinking in college athletics. Also, I asked him what goes on behind closed
doors within his team when they are given the opportunity to drink. When asking him his
opinion on student-athletes and binge drinking, he went on a tangent. He responded:
I believe that student-athletes should be given the same right as non-athletes in regards
to drinking. We binge drink because we are never given the opportunity to act as
normal

college students. We are all young adults and at the age to where our

coaches and

advisors and all of the athletic department should not be

constantly telling us not to

drink or not to go out. We should not be punished or treated

differently for going out and

drinking with our teammates or peers, just because the

NCAA has set rules, and our

institution permits us from doing so. We were recruited

here as athletes to perform for

our university and with that being said, we should

not have all eyes on us when we

actually get the chance to have a good time. Instead

of every single athlete being under

the radar, I believe they should target the student-

athletes who they know go-out and do

not perform well the next day, or are not

making the grades. I do not think that the

student-athletes who can keep themselves

together, that do take part in binge-drinking

when given the chance should be punished.

I believe that there is some truth in his response; however, after chatting with him for a
longer amount of time, he as well as the female student-athlete, were unaware, although
unnoticeable in their performances, of the health risks binge-drinking and the consumption of
alcohol is for a student-athlete. He proceeded to tell me that binge-drinking is a way for him to
cope with the stress of being a student-athlete. He stated, Without alcohol or other forms of
drugs, my only escape would be my sport, however, my sport is slowly becoming the cause of all
of my stress. With this, I casually asked around locker rooms and student-athlete functions how
fellow athletes cope with the stresses of being a student-athlete. The only answer I received from
more than a handful of teammates and fellow student-athletes was alcohol. I know what goes on
behind close doors with my team and it is not acceptable, nor legal. With this knowledge, after
rambling on more and more about the effects of alcohol with this prominent male student-athlete,
I asked him about his team, and what goes on behind closed doors when given the opportunity to
drink. He responded, When the opportunity presents itself and it is actually allowed, which
usually never happens, things get out of hand. Many of my teammates do not know how to
handle themselves and drink extremely irresponsibly, resulting in passing out, throwing up,
hospital trips, or worst case-scenario, death. Due to being unable to drink like regular college
students, we make the decision to drink as much as we can to make up for lost time that we
are unable to drink.
After research and hearing both responses, along with being a student-athlete and having
first-hand knowledge and experiences of teams at my institution, I know that binge-drinking is
very common and many student-athletes are very unaware of the health risks and consequences

that could arise from a regretful night. Also, I have many friends who are student-athletes at
other universities across the country, some very renowned, others not as much, who also take
part in binge-drinking when presented the opportunity. Social media, such as SnapChat and
Instagram portray many of my friends taking part in illegal activities, usually just once a week.
Many student-athletes are blind to the affects of excessive drinking and are never actually
provided with the knowledge of how it can negatively affect ones performance. On that one off
day a week required by the NCAA, student-athletes at my institution and nationally, take full
advantage of the opportunity to excessively drink.
Professionals are aware of the risks and consequences drinking as a student-athlete has,
and many student-athletes have biased opinions on the act of binge-drinking; however, who are
the few that do not agree with both perspectives? After weeks of scattered, unsuccessful research,
I finally came upon two people who surprised me with their opinions on college athletes and
binge-drinking. The first person, I interviewed over the telephone was a male working as a
Graduate Assistant in a Division II athletic department. He was a former student-athlete who had
recently graduated with a Bachelors in business from Saint Leo University right outside of
Tampa, Florida. The other was an academic advisor for student-athletes who has been working at
her collegiate institution for more than ten years. Both the Graduate assistant and academic
advisors held arguments counteracting the two previous arguments. They both share similar
perspectives on college athletes and binge drinking. They both agree and disagree on bingedrinking in a collegiate environment.
The Graduate Assistant I interviewed was a baseball player who managed a 3.0 GPA,
along with a good amount of playing time on the field. After chatting with him about issues

within the athletic departments on a national scale, I asked him his opinion on college athletes
binge-drinking. He said:
As a former student-athlete, I went through the rules and regulations within the NCAA
and with my coach. We were restricted from drinking all season, and when
offseason

came around, I did partake in binge-drinking. Yes, I now understand to the

full effect the

effects of binge-drinking as a student-athlete and I do not condone it at all;

however, I

think there should be a balance. I believe that student-athletes take full

advantage of the

opportunity to binge-drink like I did, because they were not

educated on the effects of

alcohol and binge-drinking. So, I think that the NCAA and

athletic departments

nationally should better educate their student-athletes on

alcohol and binge-drinking on

their permitted one day off by the NCAA. I do

know now that alcohol is extremely bad

condone it at all, but until institutions take charge

for your body, and like I said I do not

an tackle this reoccurring issue, than

nothing will be solved.

In this interview, he showed both sides of the argument. As a student-athlete, he took part
in binge-drinking and is now seriously aware of the consequences it holds, physically, mentally,
and emotionally; however, student-athletes are going to continue binge-drinking regardless of the
risks and consequences because they should have the opportunity to have a normal college
experience along with all of their other peers. From personal experience, he knows the stresses of
being a student athlete. Nonetheless, binge-drinking amongst college athletes will not impede
unless action takes place within athletic departments. For student-athletes to be more aware of
what they are doing to their bodies, which is effecting performances, they need serious

knowledge on what they are not only doing to themselves in that moment, but to themselves in
the future.
My second interview goes hand-in-hand with my first. The academic advisor who has
been working within the same institution for more than ten years, feels strongly about both sides
of the argument. She said:
If I see a picture or found out about one of my students drinking the night before with
me, I will have consequences for them. They are kids and are going to do what
they want

to do. Alcohol is probably the worst thing to put into your body, amongst other

drugs, as a

student-athlete. I say let the student-athletes be college kids and figure out their

way as

they go. That is what college is about. However, as an athlete you need to

know what

you're putting into your body and how there are no positives to it

whatsoever. Without
consumption, student-athletes

proper education of binge-drinking and excessive alcohol

will continue to do what they want to do.

The decision to support, oppose, or argue both sides on the topic of college athletics and
binge drinking, depends on your knowledge of alcohol and its effects and your own personal
experience. The three perspectives I discussed, how alcohol negatively effects your body and
why student-athletes shouldn't drink it, how athletes think alcohol doesnt affect them and why
they should be allowed to drink along with reasons why they do, and why student-athletes should
be allowed to drink, but should not do so because of the immediate effects of alcohol. Whether it
is your logic or personal experience, I respect each argument or point of view and where it comes
from. Being a student-athlete, at first I was biased and agreed with the argument on why studentathletes should be allowed to drink. With that, I also understand why student-athletes do drink
when the opportunity presents itself; many of them excessively. However, after research on this

topic, I now completely understand the effects of binge-drinking and the consumption of alcohol
on your body as a student-athlete. I think that student-athlete drinking should not be known in
and out of the athletic community binge-drinking. For this to occur, student-athletes need
properly educated on the effects of alcohol and binge-drinking. Depending on how much you
drink, alcohol can remain in your system, breaking down in your body for up to a week. This
controversial topic and its different perspectives for each argument will not come to a halt
anytime soon, potentially making matters worse. Student-athletes should be either educated on
binge-drinking, or in my opinion, allowed to drink in moderation. Because with the laws set in
place by the NCAA with only one day a week off, binge-drinking will remain a consistent action
amongst the national student-athlete community.

Work Cited

Notre Dame, University Of. "Alcohol and Athletes." // OADE // University of Notre
Dame. McDonald Center for Student Well Being, 2008. Web. <http://oade.nd.edu/educateyourself-alcohol/alcohol-and-athletes/>.

Harper, C. "The Neuropathology of Alcohol-Related Brain Damage." Alcohol and

Alcoholism 44.2 (2009): 136-40. Web.

Alert, Alcohol. "ALCOHOL'S DAMAGING EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN." ALCOHOL'S

DAMAGING EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN. NIAAA, Oct. 2004. Web.
<http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa63/aa63.htm>.

Huegli, Carlin. "Binge Drinking and College Athletics." Personal interview. 30 Mar.
2015.
Carlin Huegli was the first person I interviewed on the subject, Binge Drinking in
College Athletics. She is currently a student-athlete going into her senior year of college. She
was the interviewee who played a very high-demanding sport.

Woods, JoMarcus. "Binge Drinking and College Athletics." Personal interview. 2 Apr.
2015.
JoMarcus Jojo Woods was the highlighted student-athlete I interviewed. He is
currently a senior in college and is graduating on May 9, 2015.

Smith, John. Binge Drinking and College Athletics. Phone interview. 3 Apr 2015.
John Smith is the graduate assistant and former student-athlete who did not want to be
named due to work-related conflicts that could occur.

Jones, Sue. Binge Drinking and College Athletics. Phone interview. 16 Apr 2015.
Sue Jones is the academic advisor who argued both sides. She did not want to be named
due to work-related conflicts that could occur.