For Silas Sandles, tennis wasn’t just a sport it was a structure, a routine, and a defining part of daily life. As a Sports Communications major graduating from Piedmont in 2023–2024, Silas spent years balancing the demands of being a student-athlete. But like many former athletes, stepping away from that lifestyle came with its own challenges.

“The transition after college sports was kind of rough for me,” Silas shared. “I’d been a student athlete for most of my life, so to go from having practice and weights after school and competing every weekend to not having those responsibilities was a struggle at first.”

The sudden shift from a packed schedule to open time can feel disorienting. For Silas, the key was patience and rediscovery. “Once I found my groove with working and finding hobbies to do after, the transition became easier.”

Despite no longer competing, Silas has found meaningful ways to stay connected to the sport that shaped so much of his life. Giving back through coaching has helped him maintain that competitive spirit and sense of purpose.

“The way I’ve stayed connected to my sport is that I’m fortunate enough to be the volunteer assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Piedmont,” he said. “I attend practice when I can after work and have coached in most of their matches the last two seasons.”

Coaching has allowed Silas to come full circle, working alongside his former coach while mentoring the next generation of players. “I’m able to coach alongside my old college coach and help enhance the younger classes.”

Beyond the court, the lessons learned as a student-athlete continue to shape his professional life. The discipline required to balance academics and athletics has translated directly into his career.

“The biggest thing that I took away from being a student athlete is time management,” Silas explained. “Having to juggle classes, practice and matches, gives me the confidence to juggle multiple projects for work.”

Silas Sandles’ journey is a testament to the resilience of student-athletes. While the transition out of collegiate sports can be difficult, the skills and mindset developed along the way create a foundation for success long after the final match.