For some students school is something that consumes them, for others it’s a job or a fun hobby. However, for a select few Ball is Life.  The motto for Ball is Life is it’s more than a game, it’s a lifestyle. For many students weekends and vacations is time to relax and take some time off for relax time. Ball is life applies to more than just basketball. Any sport that takes control of your life and makes a positive impact. Teenagers lives are majorly affected by school sports and outside club teams. Some teenagers spend about three hours a day practicing their sport in the pursuit of becoming the best athlete they can be.

“Basketball is 95 percent of my life. Eat, sleep, live basketball. That’s all I do,” varsity athlete Brian Harness said.  “The ’08 KU team is what got me started. Now I just practice, nonstop practice.”

Colleges offer scholarships to athletes who can represent and show great ability with their talent and dedication along with physical ability. For senior football standout Ra’Keim Abdul and junior soccer star Taylor Christie, colleges have looked and made an offer to the athletes for their hard work. Abdul has signed with Butler Community College and Christie committed to Kansas University.

“Butler Chose me because they saw all my hard work and noticed my potential. Because I have the potential to perform on this level, on the next level, and on the next level.” Abdul said. “To stay in shape in the summer I work with the program T-FIT 365. Where only warriors survive.”

Constant travel for club athletes is just part of the journey to becoming great. From Midwest to the Southeast and coast to coast teams search for the big tournaments to face the best competition. Year-round tournaments are held for as young as fifth grade to senior year.

“During the club season in the fall we traveled every other weekend or two weeks. Soccer gives me something to work towards or work hard for,” Christie said

For some players sports is a little escape from reality. Allows athletes to focus and put all problems aside.

“[Soccer] is the one thing I can do that always gets my mind off of stuff. And it just makes me happy,” Christie said.