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He speaks of attitude, discipline, work ethic, compatibility with the vagaries of life among other positives. His evaluation of her is based on years of study, training and keen insight into coaching: “Stephanie,” he says, “does not have a traditional build for a world class hammer thrower, and she is not classically or traditionally strong in the weight room.

“She is probably built more like a volleyball player, but she has a very powerful lower body and has a gift of being able to turn and move with the hammer that few possess. The way she moves with the hammer is very efficient and smooth, very much like Roger Federer’s forehand and backhand. That is what makes her such a good hammer thrower and why she has the ability to continue to improve. “

Interviewing her brought about a flashback to conversations with Terry Hoage, former Georgia All-American defensive back, who had the highest academic credentials and objectives. Yet, the competitive juices caused him to continue playing professional football until an advanced degree was notpractical. Onedaywe were having a glass of wine from a cask at his winery in Paso Robles, California, and he grinned wistfully, saying, “It is only an hour flight, actually less, from here to Stanford so I could commute.” Iamoneof those who is surprised that he did not follow through.

Nonathletes do not understand what motivates competitors. Terry’s options were PhD, MD, and the corporate boardroom if financial accumulation had become a priority. He simply could not vacate the competitive arena. Yet, he always thought about pursuing opportunities in the medical field with advancing age.

Stepanie Ratcliffe has a similar attitude. She has an unquenchable thirst for competition but it has forever been coupled with an equal helping of academic ambition.

That is what the scholarship or grant-in-aid system was intended to do decades ago. What greater benefit could there be than to play a sport and be gifted with a degree in return? We let greed destroy all that goodness. While they are in a minority, there are more athletes out there with the all-around credentials of Brock Bowers and Stephanie Ratcliffe. For those, the athletic scholarship is a remarkable godsend. They are the ones who should be lionized for being the “complete” persons.