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Clyde Bennett III, Learning and Public Practice volunteer
Dec 14, 2020
Over the past two years, the Wex has collaborated with Ohio State student organization Redefining Athletic Standards (RAS) for programs such as the 2018 Director’s Dialogue on Art and Social Change and the 2019 performance The Symphonic Body/Food. Below, Wex volunteer and Ohio State student Clyde Bennett III offers a Q&A with three current RAS members. This interview with Donovan Hewitt, Myles Marshall, and Terry Johnson took place on November 10, 2020 and was edited for length and clarity.
Bennett is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Ohio State studying Finance in the Fisher College of Business with a minor in Fashion and Retail Studies. He is a member of the Council of Black Students in Administration, a Morrill Distinction Scholar, a Management Leadership for Tomorrow Fellow, and a member of the Wexner Student Engagement group.
Please tell us a little about yourselves.
Donovan Hewitt: I am a second-year political science major. I minor in Spanish and international relations. My hobby outside of gymnastics is cooking.
Myles Marshall: I am a second-year Construction Systems Management major from Atlanta, Georgia. My hobby outside of track & field is to play the PlayStation 4. My favorite musician is Lil Baby.
Terry Johnson: I am a fifth-year senior in track & field from Columbus, Ohio. My major is construction systems management. My favorite artists are J Cole and Kendrick Lamar. A hobby I enjoy outside of track & field is remodeling homes.
How did RAS start? What is RAS’ overall mission and goal?
TJ: RAS was started to bring black athletes together and allow them to speak on certain social issues going on. Through that we created a brotherhood. When we first started RAS, it was vague. We just wanted to bring athletes together. That was the initial goal – bring athletes together and create a space for doing so. Now RAS has transformed into something much more powerful, structured, and organized.
What are RAS’ plans for this school year?
MM: So far, we have spoken with influential people like Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and NFL veteran Malcolm Jenkins. Some of our goals include building a profile for ourselves outside of athletics for our work careers, and getting connected with people for long-term success.
What has been the toughest mental challenge for you through this pandemic and time of social change?
DH: It has been hard to stay focused on the end-goal in my sport, because for so long I could not do gymnastics. It has also been challenging to mentally stay sane, as we obviously cannot be around people as much.
TJ: To start off losing the season, then George Floyd being killed and trying to deal with that and figure out how you should navigate yourself through that point. Then, coming back to school and we are still in a pandemic. For me, the toughest thing has been dealing with everything that has been happening. These issues range from racial and social, to athletics, and then to school, and they are all occurring at once.
MM: When I went home, all my time was on schoolwork and trying to find time to work out on the side. The hardest part was making sure all my focus was strictly on my schoolwork, but also finding time to work out when we do not have scheduled practice and time blocks. I had to find time for everything.
What do you want people to know about college athletes that they may not know?
DH: It is harder than what is seen on the surface level. It is more than what people see on Saturday nights. The amount of work academically and athletically is not as highlighted as the end goal. There are many checkpoints that nobody sees.
MM: When we go home, everyone sees our Ohio State gear. These people do not understand that the gear is not something that is given, it is earned. Many people just look at the scores and fame, but they do not understand we wake up at 4:00 or 5:00 every other morning. You may love your sport, but there are times you ask yourself “Do I really want to do this?” It’s not as easy as people think.
TJ: I want everyone to know there are some powerful athletes. Outside of their sport and school, there are some people that are doing big things. I’ve learned that within RAS and working with different people. Many athletes are very knowledgeable on different topics and areas of life.
What comes to your mind when you hear the quote, “I am more than an athlete”? You guys are more than athletes, more than the surface shows. How is it difficult and an opportunity being seen as such?
DH: I want to express that although I am good at my sport, that is not all I have to offer. I am good at school too. As a result of the athlete privileges at Ohio State, people do not understand that although there are privileges, I still have to work as hard as you do. It is hard for people to understand that.
Where can Ohio State unify its campus more and how can they do so?
DH: The intermingling of white and black clubs and frats could be done a little better. The school is big, but it is still pretty segregated.
TJ: Ohio State needs to hold everyone accountable. That will bring people more together.
How do your all teams mesh while grappling with everyone’s personal beliefs?
MM: Programs need to ensure that teammates understand that everyone comes from different backgrounds. We all must be open to everyone’s beliefs. Not everyone has to agree, but it is important for people to be willing to hear the next person out and feel what they go through on a daily basis.
How have you seen sports bring the world together throughout your careers? Examples?
DH: In gymnastics, the best kids in America, already know the best kids in England or Japan. When you go to junior worlds, you see everyone you’ve seen on the internet and TV. Gymnastics is a smaller/tighter knit community than it seems.
TJ: Once you become an athlete, you gain more notoriety. The platform that you get from athletics allows you to meet more people nationally, statewide, and citywide. The platform that athletics can bring has brought the world together throughout my career.
MM: Having public figures like Lebron James and Malcolm Jenkins that speak on societal issues even in divisive times like now, help bring the world together as well.
By utilizing your platform, how can you impact the world?
MM: Since I have been in RAS I have found that many of my friends back home don’t necessarily take the time out to put their time into other things that can benefit them long-term. That’s something that I have influenced people to do. Just because you play a sport in college does not mean you have to only do that on a regular basis.
TJ: We can change the world by being a positive influence. Whether we are influencing our friends or teammates, it is important to use our influence to motivate and persuade other people for the better.
Image courtesy of Terry Johnson
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