When temperatures begin dropping below zero and campus starts to look like a winter “not-so” wonderland, students often find themselves reconsidering why they choose to come to UW in the first place, especially student athletes who came here when they could have competed in warmer climates.
However, minus the frigid Wyoming weather, there are many upsides to being a UW athlete.
Compared to the many other Universities across the nation, the University of Wyoming stands out in both academics and athletics. In the recent 2013 Forbes magazine which features top Universities across the nation, Wyoming is ranked 298 overall, and as a research University it’s ranked 113.
Both in-state and out-of-state tuition are reasonable. The typical out-of-state student generally pays a base cost of approximately $12,855 according to Forbes’ calculated cost of attendance. Now for an athlete who has most likely received a large scholarship based on performance, the cost to pay for a prestigious education becomes little to nothing at all.
As many other athletes have noted, the chance to compete at a NCAA Division I school with sufficient playing time is another unbeatable aspect of playing as a Cowboy or Cowgirl. In an interview conducted with sophomore Kayla Woodward, she shared similar thoughts and feelings.
“Going anywhere else but Wyoming was unimaginable for me,” said Woodward. “I knew I would have better opportunities and have more playing experience by playing and representing my home state.”
This view stands true with several other athletes who decided to represent the Pokes. While other student athletes begin their collegiate careers warming the bench, athletes at UW are setting personal records and broadening their teams’ horizons.
Since UW is the only four-year college in the Equality State, a lot of funding is distributed to the athletics department, assuring that teams receive the highest quality of equipment and care. In more detail given from Forbes, there’s a grand total of athletic expenses which adds up to approximately $27.8 million each year. That’s a lot considering most colleges in other states would have to share those funds while Wyoming gets to make use of the entire amount.
The fan base Wyoming fans create is another big positive to joining UW athletics. The brown and gold and the Cowboy logo fill the stands with every athletic event that takes place on home turf. Win or lose, fans time and again stand by their teams and support them with enthusiasm and encouragement.
While Laramie might not be a big metropolitan city with the warmest of weather or have the most happening night clubs, it is a place many student athletes like to call home. The opportunity to be a part of the Cowboy pride is unbeatable and the spirit is undying.
