Most college athletes are equipped with the physical ability to succeed but the life of student-athletes requires much more than physicality. It requires intelligence, commitment, organization, sacrifice and perhaps most importantly time management. The College at Brockport Wrestling team has one individual that takes the normal responsibilities of a student-athlete to another level. Senior Eric Velez lives a life balanced by strict time management because he not only has the intense schedule of a student-athlete to deal with but he is also accountable for raising a family.

Velez first attended Brockport and wrestled for the team in 2009-10 but dropped out the next year in order to provide for his family when Chrystal, his fiancé, became pregnant. Neglecting to step up and be the man of the household was never a possibility for Velez because his own father had shown the proper way. He was just a baby in Puerto Rico when his father Jesus returned to Puerto Rico in order to attain custody of Eric and his siblings. Jesus brought the children back to New York in order to raise them in a more supportive environment.

After dropping out of school in 2010 and getting a full time job to support his family, Velez found it more difficult to find time to stay in his former collegiate wrestling shape. He gained more than 50 pounds while providing for his family until one day his friend suggested he try mixed martial arts.

"I went to one of his matches and I sat there at 189-pounds," said Velez. "When he came out of the cage after winning he said 'You've got to do this' and I said why not, it'll get me back in shape. It'll give me an excuse to get my weight down."

A strict regime saw Velez wake up at 5 a.m. head to work for eight hours, return home for a quick shower to rinse Kool-Aid residue off from the factory he worked at before heading to the gym for several hours of training.  In just four months he dropped down to 135-pounds doing the same routine day-in and day-out. After posting two wins in mixed martial art matches he decided to attempt another form of combat. This time it was boxing.

He turned his attention towards the Golden Gloves Boxing Championships with help from one of the gym's trainers. Instead of focusing on boxing just one day a week while intermingling wrestling, jujitsu and kickboxing other days, he would now divulge all of his energy to boxing. It worked as Velez won the Golden Glove Boxing Championship for his weight class which preceded his return to mixed martial arts. He fought another match and improved to a perfect 3-0 in the cage. If it weren't for a college coach attending his final fight, he would have never known that he had years of eligibility left in wrestling.

Upon hearing the news Velez enrolled at Niagara County Community College. He was a Junior College National qualifier wrestling at the weight of 133-pounds but it appeared that his college wrestling days may have been over.

"I thought I was done with wrestling," confided Velez. "Ithaca's coach had called me about wrestling, but they wanted me at the 125-pound weight class. I didn't want to go there because it was too far from my family and 125 pounds hurts my body. But then coach Jacoutot called and asked if I was thinking about wrestling again. I told him I didn't really know because I couldn't make it to 125. But he responded that he wanted me at 133 and I was in."

Velez was not only sold on the wrestling but he had found his calling. He majored in physical education and credits much of that passion to teach and work with little kids from his own pair of children, Chrystian and Elayna. His family tradition is to bring his kids out to breakfast every Sunday morning.

"Number one he is a family oriented person and he has a very supportive fiancé and he's a very supportive and loving father," noted head coach Don Murray. "It's not only the pressure of the wrestling and supporting a family – he's excelled in the college academically. He struggled at one point and dropped out but fought his way back. He'll be a great teaching candidate in the near future."

Many eyes have been similarly impressed by Velez through his time at Brockport. Many teammates look up to him as a role model because how can someone say they are tired around a man that balances the schedule of academics, athletics, children and a fiancé – when he gives it his all every day and never complains.

"I look up to Eric a lot for what he does," added teammate Jeff Palmeri. "I don't think most people could do what he does. In his position with a family and living more than 30 minutes away from campus, most guys would have to give up the wrestling dream. But Eric wants it so much that he makes the time for it, and that's really difficult. I have an unbelievable amount of respect for him. Very few guys could ever do what he does."

Although many would never be able to do what he does, he continues to strive forward making progress as a father, student and athlete. Associate head coach Bill Jacoutot has high praise for Velez, especially in his future as an educator. Jacoutot was a physical education teacher, coach and vice principal at Spencerport with an incredible 353 victories during his tenure.

"Eric will be an exceptional coach because he has a great personality, is a great communicator and has high energy," Jacoutot confirmed. "He balances life well and embraces things without ever complaining. He never brings the stresses of being a dad onto the mat. All he brings are stories of him reading to his kids before bed."

Velez may not bring many of his fatherly instincts onto the mat against opponents but he sure does have a soft spot for his teammates. He routinely invites them to his house for various occasions.

"Last spring, he had Jeff (Palmeri) and I over his house the night before an off-season tournament at NCCC and coached us the next day," responded teammate Michael Falcon. "We ate dinner and hung out with him and his family. I think that's something I won't forget after my time here."

Palmeri also made a light-hearted joke about Velez when he said, "he always invites us over for the big (mixed martial arts) fights. A bunch of us went over there for the Conor McGregor fight and it was a great time. He also buys pizza and wings for everyone, I think his fatherly instincts kick in a little bit."

No matter what the future holds for Velez one thing is certain – he will battle his way to the top.

As for the present, Brockport will host R.I.T. today in a dual meet at 7 p.m. in which nine seniors will be honored prior to the contest including Velez and his teammates Josh Brabon, Nicholas Coco, Jordan Dyer, Asher Kramer, Tyler Lusht, Palmeri, Xavier Thomas and Cole Tristram. Be sure to stay up to date on all your Golden Eagle scores and awards by following @BportAthletics on Twitter and by liking the "Brockport Golden Eagles" Facebook page. Wrestling fans are encouraged to also like "The College at Brockport Wrestling" Facebook page as well.