The term student-athlete is thrown around a lot nowadays, but it rarely is used properly. Many so called “student-athletes” go to college only to play sports and don’t value their education. Shane Power is not one of those people.
Power, MSU’s senior guard/forward, was named to the SEC Good Works Team by the Southeastern Conference on Jan. 25. According to a press release, the award honors SEC student-athletes for their community service efforts.
Power participates in a multitude of community service and campus activities, including the state-recognized Project IMPACT, a specialized preschool program for children with developmental delays.
Power said that his involvement in the programs is his way of giving something back to the community.
“Before I picked my new school (after transferring from Iowa State) I made a decision that I really wanted to be a part of the community,” Power said. “I wanted to leave two legacies, one of being a winner and one as being a good person who gave something back to the community.”
Power credits assistant athletics director for Student Life Ann Carr for helping to get him involved in different activities.
“Ms. Carr does a great job of encouraging us to get out and help with the reading programs,” Power said.
Carr said that she is just doing her job.
“Part of my job is to make sure we get into the community,” Carr said. “We like to make sure that our athletes are well-rounded.”
Carr said that it is easy to get Power to participate in the programs since he is a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Council.
“It is really easy to pick on those student-athletes in SAC because they are around my office a lot,” Carr said. “I’m real big into doing this or that and they are always willing to help.”
Power is also a member of the student M-Club and is an officer in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“FCA has been a big part of my life since I got to Mississippi State,” Power said. “It has helped me be more of a role model to other people. I don’t tell the kids to follow me but to follow the Lord’s example. I would feel hesitant telling kids to follow my example because I’m not infallible.”
Power doesn’t let his basketball and community service time commitments take away from his studies.
Power was named the 2004 SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year and recently earned his undergraduate degree in sports communication. He earned a 4.00 GPA in his first semester of graduate school last fall.
Power was honored to be named the scholar athlete of the year and said it was a reward for all of his hard work.
“That was a reward for all the hard work and late night studying,” Power said. “It was a reward for my family who encouraged me to excel in the classroom and be more than an average student.”
Power said that he wasn’t always as studious as he is now, but a year out of basketball drove him to work hard in the classroom.
“What really focused me was the year I had to sit out (due to transfer rules),” Power said.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a very competitive person. If you play me in a video game I’m going to try to beat you. I needed an area to compete in and the classroom was the best area to compete in while I was sitting out.”
Power used that competitive edge to earn his first ever 4.00 and said that the feeling of receiving that grade was one that is almost unmatched.
“That’s one of my biggest accomplishments in college, on or off the (basketball) floor,” Power said. “I’m not a genius by any means, and I never thought I could get a 4.00 in college. To
do that here at Mississippi State is an awesome feeling.”
Power considers one of his greatest honors to be when he was tabbed by MSU President Charles Lee to speak at Mississippi State’s “State of the Future” capital campaign festivities.
“I was honored that the powers-that-be here at Mississippi State felt like I had given to the community enough and had represented our university well enough to speak at such a prestigious event,” Power said.
“I only hope that my speech led to people’s contribution to Mississippi State.”
Even with his hectic schedule, basketball practice and games, community service activities and studying, Power somehow manages to keep it all balanced.
“Planning ahead helps, but you’ve also got to realize that there are 24 hours in a day and that’s plenty of time to get stuff done if you put your mind to it.”
Power hopes that by doing all of his work in the university and community he is giving something back.
“This community has given me so much,” Power said. “The relationships I’ve made and the support I’ve gotten from the community, I could never give it back. But I’m sure going to try to.”