Some athletes attribute their negative academic image to their own behavior both in class and out.

Others say it is the result of increased publicity about athletic recruiting and reportedly lower academic admissions standards.

But regardless of the source, almost every athlete interviewed says the perception of the singleminded "jock" is false.

Sound Body, Sound Mind

Athletes can and do excel both in the classroom and on the playing field, says Megan E. Colligan '95, captain of both Women's Varsity Lacrosse and Varsity Field Hockey.

"Every year you hear of athletes being accepted into the top medical schools, the top law and graduate schools in the country," says Colligan, a joint concentrator in History and Afro-American Studies.

"On the lacrosse team, there are definitely academic standouts," she adds. "Mostly though, the women on the team are very solid, very well-rounded. [They are] generally A- or B+ students who play a sport and are president of a club."

Colligan suggests field hockey teammate Maureen M. O'Brien '96 as a good example of a talented athlete who maintains other interests and prioritizes work before play.

Last year the pre-med O'Brien was named an Academic All-American by the Field Hockey Coaches Association.

She's working towards an honors degree in biochemistry, and scored high on her MCATs. In her spare time O'Brien volunteers at the Children's Hospital in Boston.

And this summer, instead of perfecting her driving and dribbling, O'Brien will conduct developmental biology research at the medical school in preparation to write her thesis.

O'Brien and others seem to epitomize the classic philosophy of arete—touted firmly by Harvard and the rest of the Ivy League conference.

"A lot of what it's about is the Greek ideal: sound body, sound mind," says swimmer Dave S. Alpert '97. "Here, it isn't like state schools where it's easy to tip one way or the other. Youtry to keep a balance."

"You're at a high enough level here that you can't slack off and still achieve, either academically or athletically," Alpert adds.

It's All in The Timing