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CSU-Pueblo football player juggles many responsibilities

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photo by Joe Foley
Attending college full-time can be difficult for any student. However, it can be almost unbearable if you’re also a Division II student-athlete with a part-time job.

But not for Colorado State University-Pueblo football player Daveon Ackinsaya.

Ackinsaya, a junior majoring in mass communications, attacks the tasks at full speed and head on as if he’s in the trenches during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game.

“I’m working to pay bills and rent because I live off-campus,” Ackinsaya said. “I have more stuff to worry about in terms of bills, food and rent as opposed to people who live on-campus, whose stuff is already paid for.”

Ackinsaya works in the Office of Residence Life at Belmont Residence Hall to help pay for all of his expenses. He said he chose the job because of the flexibility the hours afford him and because it also gives him time to complete homework.

He said he works anywhere from eight to 20 hours, depending on his football and school schedule for the semester.

But with all these tasks to complete in one day it can be very difficult to find enough hours in the day to not only work, but also fulfill his athletic obligations, and keep up with his classes as a full-time student.

“I’m up around 1 or 2 a.m. getting ready for work, and then I have class at 8 a.m.,” Ackinsaya said. “After school I usually have a film session with coach and lifting right after.”

The schedule is also subject to change, and during spring football, Ackinsaya had a morning practice during the week from 7 to 9 a.m. in preparation for the upcoming season.

Ackinsaya admitted he made an error in his scheduling this semester. He scheduled his work in the early morning before most people typically start their day.

“My thinking for that was, I’m going to be up early anyways, so I might as well wake up and get the blood flowing,” Ackinsaya said. “There is a downside to that because later on in the day, at some point, I lose all of the energy I have.”

In addition to being a student-athlete and employee, Ackinsaya also has to play the role of big brother. His younger sister, Porcha, is also enrolled at CSU-Pueblo.

“I try to take care of my sister as best as I can,” Ackinsaya said. “There are times when she needs help and I try to give her what I can.”

Ackinsaya admitted he has had to learn to grow up fast. Being 18 hours and more than 1,000 miles from his home city of Long Beach, Calif., can take a toll on most people, but not Ackinsaya.

However Ackinsaya said he isn’t done tackling responsibilities. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound gentle giant plans on not only finding a second job, but plans on taking summer classes as well.


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