It can be a challenge for college students to balance academic commitments and dating.Try being a student athlete — dealing with practice, traveling and school work.But for rising senior soccer player Michelle Makasini and former LSU linebacker Darry Beckwith, who have been dating for two years, it can make things more comfortable when you’re dating another athlete.”When I was at LSU, it was an easy process,” Beckwith said. “We both had our goals set high, and we helped push one another to achieve our goals.”Beckwith is in Pensacola, Fla., training for the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine, but Makasini plans to drive to see him for Valentine’s Day.”We’ve always been together on Valentine’s Day,” Beckwith said. “Soccer and football run around the same time, and we’re both off, so it’s never been a conflict.”One of their favorite things to do together is go to the movies. Beckwith said they will definitely do that Saturday in Pensacola.”We probably go to the movies every single weekend — no joke,” he said.Makasini said Beckwith also likes a good trip to the mall, particularly to his favorite store, Buckle.”Darry drags me. He’s the shopper,” Makasini said with a chuckle.Beckwith said he has been to almost every soccer game, especially games on Sundays, since he started dating Makasini, but he didn’t know much about soccer at first.”When I first started going, I didn’t know what was going on,” Beckwith said. “I thought when she said somebody goal-kicked, somebody would kick the ball at the goal, but that’s totally not what it is. I didn’t know the difference, but I got used to it.”Another couple who enjoys their chemistry as dating athletes is senior pitcher Nolan Cain and former softball catcher Kristen Hobbs.”To me it’s a lot easier dating somebody who knows what’s going on and understands I have long days, and I might not be able to do something until 8:30 or 9 at night,” Cain said.Hobbs, who is pursuing a master’s degree in sports management at LSU, said it isn’t too difficult to date with a higher profile around campus.”It’s kind of cool being athletes — we understand we might be in good moods or bad moods from days of practice,” Hobbs said. “A lot of people don’t necessarily associate [dating] with us except for people who know us. They think it’s cool, a softball and baseball player dating.”Hobbs and Cain have been dating for four years, and their plans for Valentine’s Day are usually “pretty simple,” like one of their favorite things to do as a couple — relax over dinner and a movie.Cain said he doesn’t have anything specific planned yet for Saturday.”I’ll have to kind of wing a little bit because … I don’t know what my schedule will be like,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll try to go out to dinner somewhere and exchange cards and chocolate and stuff like that.”Hobbs and Cain said they go to each other’s games whenever they can.”It’s easier for me now [to go to baseball games],” Hobbs said. “I remember last year on Valentine’s Day they had a game, so I went to the game.”Senior tennis player Michael Venus and sophomore gymnast Samantha Engle, who have been dating for 10 months, also make a habit of cheering each other on at matches and meets.”Whenever I’m in town I try to go see her,” Venus said. “I managed to get the whole team there last weekend, and she brought her parents and grandparents [to my match].”Engle said while she and Venus are not always home on the same weekends, they make time for each other when they are both in Baton Rouge.”Our schedules are similar. We both have practice at 2, and we travel on the weekends,” Engle said. “We both understand that we have tough schedules, so we know not to make big plans much during the season. If he’s here and I’m here, then we’ll do something.”Venus said it is important he and Engle realize the time and energy they each put into practice and games every day.”It makes it easier when you’re seeing another athlete because she understands what it takes to be dedicated to your sport,” he said. “We both know we spend almost all the day doing our sport or in class and studying, so there’s not that much time.”Venus and Engle said they met in class last spring, and they do not have any specific plans for their first Valentine’s Day together.”I have to work on that one,” Venus said. “I’ve been thinking, but I’m just not sure yet. It’s a work in progress.”—-Contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected]