USC graduate Chance encourages student-athletes to keep striving

Jun 11, 2020 Sports

By Calvin Chapman

National men’s 400m indoor record holder, Arinze Chance, who is one of the few Guyanese student-athletes in the USA, graduated this week with honours from the University of South Carolina (USC), after completing his Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies.

National men’s 400m indoor record holder, Arinze Chance.

Chance, who was determined to push for a debut appearance in the Tokyo 2020 games, would’ve had his season curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic but he will not let that dampen his spirits.
During an interview with Kaieteur Sport, the former Police Progressive Youth Club (PPYC) athlete shared that it is important to stay focused on your goals despite various challenges and encouraged the aspiring track and field stars at home to continue working hard.
Chance, who is a former Bishops’ High and Queen’s College student before moving to the University of Trinidad and Tobago, iterated some encouraging words for student-athletes in the 592 who may be disheartened to follow both Track and Field and academics.
He posited that, “It’s not impossible to pursue sport and academics simultaneously, the culture that I grew up with in Guyana forced persons to make a choice between the two but I am living proof that you don’t have to make a choice, you can do both and become successful. If you have a passion or talent for a particular sport, nothing should come in the way of that but academics should be in the forefront of all pursuits.”
He reiterated that, “I want all athletes, regardless of the sport, to pursue their dreams and break free from the culture that we live in, knowing that there is someone that has done it before, succeeding in sport and academics.”
Although Chance, who graduated with a 3.65 GPA to be on the USC Dean’s list, will be returning to the University to do his Masters, his NCAA eligibility is over now and he revealed to Kaieteur Sport that he will be pushing to go pro next year. In fact, his pro bid was scheduled for this year but he explained it’s not realistic since sponsors would be adamant to sign anyone during this coronavirus pandemic.
Chance concluded with, “My God is real and through his strength all things are possible and I hope that I can help inspire other student-athletes back home to achieve their goals.”