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My name is Alika Crawford. I am a sprinter at the University of North Texas, and this is my story of a walk-on turned scholarship Collegiate Athlete. Growing up, I was always involved in sports. I participated in running clubs, ballet, gymnastics, soccer camps, volleyball, and basketball. Sports have always been a part of my life. My dad played football in college, my mom swam for most of her life, and my brother plays football and runs track as well. Our family is a sports family. I started track in the sixth grade and began taking it seriously in eighth grade. My dad always emphasized how important it was to pursue it seriously, and that’s when I decided to do so.
Growing up in a sports-oriented family taught me how to be the best athlete I could be. It gave me the experience and the opportunity to explore different sports and discover which one I loved the most.
Anyone who knew me in high school would tell you that I was intensely focused on my future. I wanted to attend an SEC school and run professionally; track was my ultimate goal. While a scholarship would have been ideal, the recruitment process was disrupted by COVID-19, and many opportunities did not feel like the right fit for me.
Being a spring sport athlete in my senior year of high school was stressful. I felt I needed to know where I was going before the season started, and COVID-19 prevented me from settling into my college choice. I received calls from several schools across the U.S., and North Texas happened to be one of them. The head coach reached out and offered me the opportunity to join as a preferred walk-on. Though I was initially hesitant, my intuition told me this would be a good fit. At that point, track was all I knew, and I didn’t want to be far from my support system in a place that didn’t feel like home. Thus, North Texas was the best option for me.
I knew that if I accepted this opportunity, I wasn’t just aiming to remain a walk-on; I was determined to earn a scholarship and secure my future. Admittedly, it was somewhat embarrassing initially, and I didn’t share it with many people until later in my first year, only with my closest friends. There’s a stigma around walk-on athletes, suggesting they aren’t good enough, but I knew my worth.
My walk-on experience was somewhat different. As a preferred walk-on, I didn’t have to try out and was treated similarly to scholarship athletes. I received all the gear, was included in group chats before school started, and had access to the same resources as scholarship athletes, except for the scholarship itself. My freshman year was a mix of fun and challenge, as I navigated life away from home, balancing adult responsibilities, classes, and athletics, while mentally pushing myself to earn that scholarship.
I felt I had to work significantly harder than scholarship athletes. Our coach left, and with his departure, the possibility of receiving a scholarship was uncertain. I faced the dilemma of staying as a walk-on for another year or seeking other opportunities. I decided to continue without a scholarship and worked harder than ever. That year turned out to be an incredible experience with new coaches and personal growth. I ended the season as a 100-meter school record holder, a 100-meter conference finalist, and a podium finisher with our 4×400 meter relay team. My hard work paid off with a scholarship, proving that I could achieve anything I set my mind to. It was my proudest moment as a collegiate walk-on athlete. My coaches and advisor found my reaction amusing considering I didn’t jump up and scream, but inside, I was immensely proud of my accomplishments.
As mentioned earlier, my experience might differ from other walk-on athletes. I had access to the same opportunities as those with scholarships, except for the financial support. Although it was somewhat embarrassing because I knew I was capable of securing a scholarship, I wouldn’t change a thing. The experience taught me a lot and unfolded exactly as God wanted it to.
My advice to high school athletes considering walking on to a college sport is to pursue it if you love the sport. Society might make it seem like being a walk-on is a negative thing, but it’s not. Your dedication will show. If you’re doing it for fun, that’s great, but if you’re committed to a career in the sport, pursue it. Otherwise, you might be blocking a blessing. It won’t be easy, and every school is different, but you can control your efforts and shape your experience. To those who are walk-ons and feel hesitant to share their stories, know that you should feel proud of your journey. Everyone has their own path, and your story is just as valuable.
