In the world of college athletics, the term student-athlete sometimes has to be said with air quotes surrounding it. People think of Kentucky basketball players leaving after one year to turn pro or big-time college football players just biding their time before they can declare for the NFL draft.

That will certainly not be the case for Old Orchard Beach senior Erik Hogan.

Hogan is the epitome of a student-athlete: a standout on the football field, basketball court and track – and the valedictorian of the OOB Class of 2016.

Next fall, Hogan will take this talents – both academic and athletic – to Springfield College after choosing the Massachusetts school over Plymouth State and Ithaca College.

“I visited there and I was just blown away by the campus and the whole feel it had, that small town, small school feel. Once I visited there, I knew it was the place for me,” said Hogan. Hogan is planning on pulling double duty for the Division III Pride as he will play basketball and run track.

Unlike some recruits, Hogan is not guaranteed a spot on either team – and that is fine by him.

“I plan to continue to do what I always have, work harder than everyone else,” said Hogan.

While he may not have a guaranteed spot on the Springfield basketball team, head coach Charlie Brock has made it clear the opportunity is there, Hogan said.

“He looked at my highlight tape and said he liked what he saw and that right now is the perfect time because there is a lot of players graduating and chances of making the team are that much higher,” said Hogan, who was an All-Star point guard for the Seagulls. Hogan is confident that he will eventually prove himself to the Springfield coaching staff.

“It may not be this year, it may not be the year after, but eventually (I plan on) getting on the court and getting some minutes,” said Hogan.

Hogan believes his time with the OOB basketball program has prepared him for the next level.

“I’m very fortunate to be in the situation I was … I got to play under coach (John) Regan, coach (Ron) Cote and later under coach (Mike) Burke. I was able to play varsity basketball from my freshman year all the way to my senior year, which helped me become the player I was,” said Hogan, who averaged 9.1 points and 2.7 assists per game as a senior. “Everything that the basketball program has given to me, I will always carry with me later in life and I’m very, very happy that I came into that situation.”

Hogan will also have a strong chance to compete on the Springfield track team.

“They said something along the lines of, ‘your times are very respectable in the 100 and 200 and we’d love to have you be a part of our program,’” said Hogan.

Hogan, who is currently in the midst of his senior track and field season, has loved running track for the Seagulls.

“Track has been great, especially the last few years,” said Hogan, who is one of the top sprinters in the region.

Before heading off to college, Hogan will be trying to make the most out of his last few weeks at OOB High – a place he calls “special.”

“I will miss being a part of so many good programs, whether it’s academically or athletically, because I truly think we have something special here at Old Orchard and it’s going to be hard to find that any other place,” said Hogan.

Hogan has made a big impact on the field, court and track over the past four years, but it was what he achieved in the classroom that means the most to him.

“That’s been my biggest goal ever since entering high school just to finish one or two (in the class). It’s always been a goal for me and my late grandmother, so it’s good to finally reach that,” said Hogan of being named the Class of 2016 Valedictorian.

While Hogan is hoping to excel on the court and the track at Springfield, his first goal will certainly be to succeed in the classroom.

“Academically, I plan to major in Applied Exercise Science and I want to graduate with a degree in that and eventually apply that in the real world,” said Hogan.

— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at [email protected] or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @ JournalTsports.