Former West Indies bowler Samuel Badree had a message for the University of Trinidad and Tobago’s newest student-athletes at their 2026 orientation.
The former world number one T20 International bowler and UTT graduate told them they don’t have to choose between the classroom and the playing field.
“I want you to restore the true meaning of the term student-athlete. Do not put a hyphen between two competing identities. Let that hyphen become a bridge. Be ambitious in the classroom. Be ambitious on the field. Don’t ever apologise for wanting both. When training gets difficult, keep going. When the assignment gets difficult, keep going. When you aren’t selected, keep preparing. When you fail, learn. When you succeed, stay humble. When you are tired, remember why you started and when someone tries to convince you that you have to choose between being an athlete and being educated, let your life become the answer.”