KEARNS — Colleges and universities offer scholarships in traditional sports like baseball, basketball and football.
But for those whose talents are in more obscure sports — like speed skating — athletes often have to choose between achieving athletic goals or academic success.
No longer is that the case for the U.S. Speed Skating team. Ashworth College announced it will sponsor the team by waiving tuition for athletes, coaches and other support staff.
"As a coach, it definitely helps manage the skaters' private lives," said National Long Track team coach Ryan Shimabukuro. "They don't have to be so stressed out. Most of them pay to skate, so to not have to worry about how to pay for school is amazing. It's really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
In fact, when Shimabukuro heard about the arrangement, he was skeptical.
"Actually I am still speechless," said Shimabukuro after the announcement was made at a press conference Wednesday at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns. "It seems too good to be true."
For athletes, it is the chance to get an education while continuing to commit the majority of their free time to training and competing against the world's best.
"When you're in China, getting to that calculus class on Thursday is somewhat difficult," said Patrick Meeks, a long track athlete from St. Louis, Missouri. "It's really hard to attend a traditional school when you're competing all over the world."
The fact that Ashworth is a fully accredited online school will mean the athletes can actually customize their education to their schedules.
Several speed skaters are already enrolled in the college, which is based in Atlanta.
"My skating career is extremely important to me and so is my education. The opportunity to pursue my degree through Ashworth means I don't have to choose between the two," said Emily Scott, 2011 Short Track Relay World Cup Gold Medalist. "With our rigorous practice and competition schedule, Ashworth gives me the flexibility to take classes and study at my own pace that would not be possible with a traditional university."
Richard Orr, marketing and communications director for Ashworth College, said it was a relationship that grew organically thanks to staff members who were affiliated with the college and the speed skating team.
"Everybody is thrilled about the opportunity," he said of college officials. "We understand the benefits and needs of amateur athletics. It's been on our radar, and now here is the perfect opportunity."
email: adonaldson@desnews.com