Teamwork: A student-athlete's take

College is often viewed as a time when the demands of academic work collide head-on with the desire to engage in self-exploration and discovery. For the student-athlete, the mash-up is made even more complex when the demands of an intercollegiate sport are factored in.

However, the business student who also plays a sport may benefit from the fact that the two pursuits actually overlap in unexpected ways—thanks to the emphasis each places on teamwork.

The ability to work as a member of a team is a life-skill that is useful in many scenarios. It enhances problem-solving capabilities, as multiple viewpoints may lead to more innovative solutions and may boost productivity and morale, as team-members experience increased motivation and engagement when working toward a shared objective. Furthermore, it helps in building strong relationships and developing essential skills such as communication, conflict resolution and adaptability. From networking events to competitions and class projects, College of Business students are constantly practicing these skills. 

Harrison Lee, a current Accounting major and Economics minor, knows a thing or two about teamwork as it relates both to his sport and his classwork within the CoB. A member of JMU’s Men’s Tennis team, Lee was just eight years old when he first picked up a racket. “I started playing as a fun thing to do with friends in the summer. As I began to like it more and more, I started playing competitively. I liked how there was always a way to improve my game and I really value the lessons I have learned in terms of time-management, resilience and believing in myself—lessons which I feel have translated well to my time off-the-court,” he says. 

Taking time out of his busy schedule, Lee shares his perspective on teamwork  in the context of sports and academics. 

CoB: How do you balance your individual performance goals with the success of the entire team?

Lee: By focusing on what’s best for the team in each moment—whether that’s doing my best to win a match or supporting my teammates from the sidelines. Off the court, I do my best to plan ahead and use any available time while traveling to stay on top of assignments and studying. Effectively managing my schedule allows me to excel both individually and as a member of a team working on a group project.

CoB: Has being a student-athlete taught you any unexpected lessons about collaboration?

Lee: Yes, it has actually. I’m reminded of the importance of collaboration in terms of being surrounded by people who are going through similar things. Like with all of my teammates, we bond over a tough practice or a long trip that leaves us all tired. But we're in it together and that helps us push through. I've learned to trust that my teammates will come through and give their best effort as well, which allows me to focus on my tasks. 

CoB: How does your experience with teamwork in tennis translate to group projects or class discussions?

Lee: Many of the guys on the team are international students, so it's been interesting getting to learn about everyone's different backgrounds—where they come from, how they got into tennis and how they found JMU. The team experience has also helped me in class group projects by teaching me how to work with classmates who have different skills and talents, ensuring that everyone is included and heard.

CoB: How do coaches and professors encourage teamwork in similar ways?

Lee: My first thought is of my coaches and how they consistently push us to give our best effort each day, whether in practice, the gym or matches. Similarly, all the professors I've had here have been consistent about encouraging us to excel on every assignment. They provide us with the resources needed to perform well on tests, including practice problems and review websites, which I've found particularly helpful in my more challenging classes.

Lee continues to develop his skills in the CoB while also making an impact on the court. He’s made the President’s List every semester since he’s been at JMU, was selected as a JMU Athletic Director’s Scholar-Athlete twice and was selected as an Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar-Athlete in 2024. Lee has 32 career victories between singles and doubles play, with 16 in each, and earned the first singles dual-match victory of his career on March 7. It helped JMU to a 4-3 win over William & Mary, the Dukes’ first win over the Tribe in 13 years.