Navigating Court and Code: Student-Athlete Balances Basketball and CS

For Georgia Tech men’s basketball player Marcos San Miguel, who wears #33 and plays guard, balancing the demands of a rigorous computer science (CS) degree and being a Division I athlete is no small feat. 

As the only STEM major on the team and possibly the first CS major in recent memory, San Miguel juggles intense academic challenges alongside a demanding athletic schedule. However, he faces challenges head-on with a positive outlook. 

“I frequently have to remind myself that pressure is a privilege, and it's a blessing to be able to challenge myself in this way,” he said. “I refuse to believe that being great at CS and basketball are mutually exclusive, but it's a balance I'm still mastering.”

The Decision to Pursue CS: Problem-Solving Meets Purpose

As a recipient of Georgia Tech's prestigious Gold Scholarship, he represents the top two percent of first-year students, demonstrating his academic and athletic commitment to excellence. San Miguel, a graduate of Campbell High School in metro Atlanta, was drawn to CS by his passion for problem-solving. 

“CS offers the most fulfilling type of problem-solving dynamic for me, as well as the most interesting career paths,” he said. 

He aims to apply his computing skills toward global and community development, envisioning technology as a tool for improving well-being and fostering peace.

Navigating the Demands: A Typical Day

A typical non-gameday for San Miguel starts with a group weightlifting session early in the morning. From there, he juggles practice, classes, and studying, often with little room for anything else. However, Sundays offer a chance to focus on schoolwork.

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"Sunday is typically our off day, so after Sunday morning Mass at the Catholic Center, I normally go to the library with my friend, where we spend a large part of the day getting through our homework. That’s my most productive day of the week," he said.

On other days, he studies wherever he can find time, including in the locker room or on the road in hotels. Although he says the locker room isn't the most productive environment for coding, it comes down to managing time efficiently every day.

Support Systems: Leaning on Advisors and Peers

San Miguel relies on a robust support system to manage these intense demands. He said he relies heavily on his College of Computing advisor and team managers for support.

“I'm the only STEM major on the team, and I'm one of, if not the only, CS major to ever be on the men's basketball team,” he said. “Given the nature of my major, my advisor has been invaluable in creating survivable course loads for a season that stretches both semesters.”

San Miguel’s College of Computing advisor, Pauline Glenn, carefully helps tailor his schedule to balance both academics and athletics.

“Factors that must be considered are the times of his practice sessions in order to select class times (as best as possible) that do not conflict,” she said. “His basketball travel schedule is important to consider as well."

Since the basketball season spans both fall and spring, she emphasized the importance of multi-semester planning and balancing his workload each semester.

“Balancing his schedule with major and core courses helps, so he is not only in all CS classes, which would be a heavy academic course load,” she said. Another key strategy is planning his tougher courses for the summer.

“Using summer school is a great way to ensure credit hours can be balanced all throughout the year,” she said.

In advising sessions, San Miguel’s proactive approach stands out. 

“I'm always impressed by how prepared Marcos is for his advising appointments and he asks great questions. He is so engaged and participates in his own academic planning. He definitely does his research before we speak,” she said. “He is transparent with his needs, which helps me provide effective advice.”

Additionally, San Miguel notes that team managers—who are also CS majors—provide mentorship, understanding the unique pressures of juggling basketball and academics. 

“They’re the unsung heroes of our team,” he said. “They work basically the same hours as the players to ensure everything runs smoothly yet receive none of the credit.”

Pioneering Positive Change: Integrating Sports and Service

Outside of class and off the court, San Miguel takes advantage of opportunities to intern and lead. He completed an internship with Euroleague Basketball last summer, working on the sustainability team. He said it offered valuable insights into global community development—one of his long-term goals. 

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He also serves on Georgia Tech’s Student-Athlete Advisory Board, representing the men’s basketball team and helping shape policy. His role on the community outreach committee allows him to help organize service opportunities for student-athletes, combining passions for athletics and helping others.

Looking Forward: Advice for Future Student-Athletes and the Season Ahead

San Miguel advises aspiring student-athletes considering a CS degree to take the plunge.

“It's a long and arduous path, but it can be done. There are plenty of reasons why people don't do it, but if you have enough reasons to do it, I suggest walking down the path less traveled,” he said. 

“You’ll discover more about yourself than you might expect and gain a Ph.D. in time management. It's a considerable blessing to do anything at one of its highest levels, so if you have the tools to do those two things at the same time, why not go for it?”

Looking ahead, San Miguel is focused on the upcoming season. The first game is scheduled for tomorrow, November 6 against the University of West Georgia at McCamish Pavilion at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on Georgia Tech athletics and game schedules, visit the Georgia Tech Athletics website here.

Note: Information about academic planning was shared with San Miguel's consent in compliance with FERPA guidelines.