“It is definitely more demanding playing in college, but when you enjoy playing both basketball and baseball, it does not really feel like work.”
I got the opportunity to sit down with Judson Bjornstad during chapel hour, one of the few hours in the day that he has available. Bjornstad is a freshman business finance major who has taken on the challenge of being a dual student-athlete, playing on both the basketball and baseball teams.
Sitting across from each other on barstools at one of the high-top tables in Barefoots Joe, Bjornstad’s feet reached the ground with his knees slightly bent, at 6 feet 8 inches tall, while mine dangled about a foot above the floor.
Bjornstad has played basketball and baseball throughout his whole life and recalled what his past experiences and challenges entailed prior to becoming a dual collegiate athlete.
“Throughout all of middle and high school, I never got an off-season because I played travel basketball and baseball,” Bjornstad said. “I was never really home except for like three weekends in the summer.”
When searching for a university to attend, it was important to Bjornstad to find a school that would not only allow him to play both sports, but also one that had an environment that aligned with his Christian values.
Bjornstad’s decision to attend Union was not only influenced by the university’s values, but also by family connections. His cousin, Parker Applegate, a sophomore at Union, is now also his teammate on the basketball team. This connection further motivated him to choose Union.
His height gives him an advantage on the basketball court, where he spends a lot of time playing. On the baseball field, he takes on a more focused role as a pitcher.
“I am a pitcher in baseball, so I do not play the field or hit. I love pitching, and I am glad that it allows me to do both sports,” Bjornstad said. “Depending on how long the basketball season goes in the spring will determine how much I can play baseball because basketball is my priority, so if there is ever a conflict, I just go with basketball.”
Basketball season is in full swing, and baseball season is just around the corner starting on January 31st. Bjornstad is preparing for the unique demands of being a dual-sport athlete with the potential of overlapping seasons.
Now, four months into his freshman year, Bjornstad reflected on the decision he made to pursue playing two sports in college. He noted the challenges that extend beyond his pure athletic ability– things such as time management, staying mentally resilient, and keeping up his grades.
He starts his morning off with workouts at 6:45am, heading straight to class when finished. After classes are over, Bjornstad must head to a three-hour basketball practice. After this practice is complete, when he is playing baseball, he will head to the end of that practice to work on throwing.
For this kid, the grind does not stop.
“It has been hard to maintain everything all at once, especially in these first couple of months,” Bjornstad said. “It still is hard, but now that basketball is in full swing, I am not doing baseball anymore. For the first two months of school, I had basketball practice and then I had to go baseball and throw, so that was just a lot.”
While his commitments to his sports take up much of his time, Bjornstad still finds time to make good quality connections. A plus side to being a dual athlete is playing on two different teams that have two different rosters full of teammates and friends.
“There is not a lot of time for a social life, but I love that the baseball team is completely different from the basketball team, and I get to have my group with baseball, and I love those guys, and the same thing with basketball.”
In the midst of intense demands and potential chaos that comes along with playing two sports with overlapping seasons, Bjornstad reverts to his faith to remain grounded.
“When I get really stressed, I really love getting to do my devotions in the morning,” Bjornstad said. “It really keeps me sane whenever things get stressful. I just give my days to the Lord and ask how I can be used and be a blessing, and that keeps me in line.”
For now, Bjornstad is taking things one step at a time and is open to what is ahead. He is committed to both basketball and baseball equally, but just shares a different kind of love for each. In the future he aspires to continue to play basketball which he referred to as his “first love.”
“I have thought about specializing in just one for sure, but it is really whatever the Lord has for me in my future,” Bjornstad said. “As of right now, I love playing both and I can maintain that while keeping up with my grades and maintaining my social life. So, for right now, I am just taking it one year at a time.”
