From Scholarship to Struggle: A former athlete pushes through adversity
Covid Pandemic isolation handicapped Merit Monogue’s structured routine leading to a downward spiral that took year’s to conquer
The Sports Reporter Collective
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
By McKenna Monogue | Aspiring Journalist
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Merit Monogue had the kind of high school career most athletes dream of. A standout athlete in volleyball, golf, and baseball, he excelled in all three sports but ultimately chose to continue with volleyball. His dedication to the game earned him a scholarship to George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, where he committed to playing for the Patriots’ men’s volleyball team. But his life took an unexpected turn two years into his college experience.
In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the country, Monogue—then a sophomore—found himself in an unfamiliar and isolating reality. With classes shifting online and sports seasons disrupted, the structured world he had known began to unravel.
“I went from being in the gym every day, surrounded by teammates, to sitting alone in my apartment, staring at a screen,” Monogue recalled. “I felt lost. My daily routine was suddenly interrupted.”
Like many college students struggling with the drastic shift in routine and isolation, Monogue turned to alcohol as a way to cope. What started as an occasional drink to relieve stress quickly spiraled into a dangerous habit. His class attendance dwindled, and his grades suffered. Eventually, he dropped out of school, losing his athletic scholarship.
His story is not unique. According to a study published by the Journal of American College Health, rates of anxiety and depression among college students soared during the pandemic, with many reporting struggles with substance abuse.
For Monogue, the road to recovery has been difficult, but he’s finding a new path forward. Now, back home, he’s working toward returning to school and rebuilding his life—this time with a greater focus on his well-being.
“I wish I had asked for help sooner,” he admitted. “I want others to know that it’s okay to struggle, but you don’t have to go through it alone.”
“I wish I had asked for help sooner,” he admitted. “I want others to know that it’s okay to struggle, but you don’t have to go through it alone.”
–merit monogue
Monogue’s journey serves as a reminder that life doesn’t always go according to plan. But with support and resilience, setbacks don’t have to define the future.
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REPORTER’S BIO | McKenna Monogue is a junior majoring in advertising and public relations in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Arkansas.
McKenna Monogue
Note: Featured photo by Çağlar Oskay on Unsplash