NATCHITOCHES -- Any one of the 44 current and former Northwestern State student-athletes graduating Friday could give a seminar on balancing school and sport.
 
But women's basketball's Victoria Miller and softball's Sidney Salmans could be the keynote speakers in a distinguished group that celebrated receiving their stoles Thursday in the fieldhouse.
 
Miller is just a junior athletically this season, and she'll walk across the graduation stage to receiver her bachelor of science in business administration with a concentration in marketing.
 
Before she finishes her Lady Demon eligibility, she'll be well on her way to a masters in sports administration.
 
"It's all about time management, value the time you have and use it wisely," said Miller, who entered NSU with 24 credit hours. "Knowing that I'll have a masters degree once I finish basketball makes taking all of those (advanced placement) courses in high school worth it.
 
"It's pretty cool to walk away with two degrees."
 
Miller's goal is to work for a professional sports team, preferably the Dallas Cowboys.
 
Salmans juggling act was a bit different, especially as a senior outfielder this past spring.
 
The elementary education major completed her student teaching during her senior season.
 
"I would miss two or three practices week, I'd be with the team maybe one day per week," Salmans said. "I worked out with (strength and condititoning coach) Aaron Potoshnick on my own after school.
 
"Then I'd go up to the field in my spare time and hit on my own or with a coach."
 
Salman's balancing act paid off as she made the All-Southland Conference Second Team after two appearances on the league's all-academic teams.
 
"It definitely feels rewarding to put the work in as an athlete and managing class, too," Salmans said. "It was difficult juggling all of that, but whether I was student teaching or at the softball field, I had to focus my mind on just that task at the time."
 
Salmans said that level of multi-tasking will serve her well as she aspires to teach second grade.
 
"They are old enough to know what they are doing and can be a little more responsible on their own, but they are still little kids."