The Binghamton Athletic Department's Student-Athletes of Color for Success (SACS) was formed in 2020. Now in its fifth full-year, SACS is reaching out to alumni to share their experiences as a student-athlete and person of color both during their years at Binghamton and in the years since graduation.
For the month of September, SACS reached out to 2016 alum and America East Track & Field Champion Temi Bajulaiye.
A standout sprinter at Binghamton University from 2012 to 2016, Temi Bajulaiye made significant strides in his track career from the start. Temi was recognized at the America East Conference in 2012, being named The Most Outstanding Rookie at the America East Indoor Championships during his first year at Binghamton.To better understand Temi's journey, we asked him to share insights into his life as a student-athlete, as well as his professional life post Binghamton. From balancing academics with the demands of collegiate track to building meaningful relationships with teammates and coaches, Temi offered a glimpse into what his experience truly looked like during his time as an athlete at Binghamton.
Q: You were named the "Most Outstanding Rookie" at the America East Indoor Championships after winning the 500m (1:05.66), what did your mental and physical preparation look like during that first year, and how do you think it led you to this accomplishment?
A: At the time, we all were competing for spots on the 4x4". As a novice, the only thing he understood was the race that was given to him. Temi said his mindset was "running without fear" because there were no expectations, and he simply "wanted to go for it" to claim a spot on the team's 4x400 relay.
Q:Â What was your biggest challenge/hardship during your time as a student athlete and how did you overcome it?
A: Making sure I did and continue to do what is best for me. I knew I needed to take care of home [himself] before paying attention to what was happening elsewhere.
Q: What did your school - track - life balance look like and what advice would you give to those students who struggle to find a balance between all components of being a student athlete?Â
A: You have to get out of your comfort zone. You have to make sure that you make connections outside of your group." Temi knew his experience at Binghamton was as fulfilling as possible because he tried to expand his network and support system outside of the people of his team. Stepping out of your comfort zone is the key, and doing that through different people helps you "build those connections that can last a lifetime".Â
Professional Life
Temi - during his college years - was involved in multiple internships that ultimately led him to his seven-year career at Babson College as the Athletics Marketing, New Media and Student-Athlete Success Specialist. His talents have led him to come back to a familiar space in the America East as the new America East Associate Director, Creative Services, & Digital Media as of July 2024.
In Temi's profession of media work, teamwork is a valuable and important skill that allowed him to take him from where he was at the start of his career to where he is now.Â
"You have to ask for help". He emphasized this after explaining his beginning stages at Babson. "It is not a sign of weakness but you understand where you are and what you need".Â
At Babson, he covered as many sports as he could but soon realized he could not be at every event simultaneously. His idea of adding media interns to his staff not only benefited him but those who were a part of the media team. Being self-aware and knowing that not everything can be done alone will only make work easier and more efficient for all of those involved.
Temi has gone through multiple internships through establishments like Penn State, Flosports, and Binghamton. We proposed the question of which one he has learned the most from.Â
For him, it was his experience at Penn State. However, it was not because of the physical work he was assigned to do for the internship. His internship at Penn State was more communications-based and did nothing with any sort of media. Being a past track and field student-athlete, he found major interest in traveling with the track & field team for the upcoming Penn Relays (which is one of the biggest track &Â field meets of the year worldwide. He proposed the idea that he could media shoot for the team on their trip to the head coach and was given the opportunity. The athletes and other staff were highly impressed with his work that he continued to travel with them to other meets and continue to impress with his talents. For him, he said if it was not for him taking the chance to reach out he would have never experienced what he did. The belief in himself as well as risk-taking ultimately made him who he is today.
Experience as a Person of Color at a Predominantly White Institution
To gain deeper insight into the experience Temi faced as a student-athlete of color, we asked him to reflect on his experiences at Binghamton. From navigating cultural differences to finding community, these conversations are crucial because they shed light on the unique experiences faced by student-athletes of color, highlighting both the challenges and the gaps in support that exist within academic and athletic environments.
Q: Can you think of a specific time while he was a student athlete at Binghamton where a club like SACS could have positively impacted his experience?
A:Â It wasn't really cool being a foreigner growing up, and we never really talked about being Nigerian or anything about my culture because being different feels alienating."Â
He then said that if he had a space to share with more people that looked like him or had the same experience, he would have felt more comfortable and proud to be authentically himself representing his culture. Temi has never been ashamed of his culture, but emphasizing a space where diversity and culture are celebrated could have made his experience as a person of color different in a better way.
Q: How has being a person of color impacted your experience as a student-athlete, and have you always had the resources you needed to succeed.
A: Temi explained that while he never felt he lacked resources, he was always aware of being in the minority in many situations, and that this awareness was something he had to navigate constantly. "The standard is what other people set," he said, reflecting on how societal norms are often dictated by the majority. Temi shared a story about a high school friend who faced challenges growing up in a professional environment. His friend, as a person of color, had to confront the fact that elements of his identity - such as his accent and slang - weren't considered the societal standard. This is where code-switching became necessary for his friend to fit in and stay connected to the larger social and professional context. This story reflects his outlook, his experience, and dictated how he felt.
"We are so conditioned to not necessarily always feel comfortable and have to code switch, change our vernacular, etc. and if there were more places where we could talk about it that feeling would subside on its own," he said.Â
Final Words
In closing, the Student-Atheltes of Color for Success (SACS) would like to extend our sincere thanks to Temi Bajulaiye for sharing his experiences and insights with us. As the first-ever Alumni of the Month for the Student Athletes of Color for Success (SACS), Temi's journey from standout sprinter at Binghamton University to his current role as America East's Associate Director of Creative Services & Digital Media is truly inspiring. His reflections on his time as a student-athlete, his professional journey, and his experiences as a person of color serve as a reminder of the importance of conversations like these.
By openly discussing the challenges he faced and the importance of creating spaces where diversity is celebrated, Temi has underscored the value of community and representation. These conversations not only highlight the gaps in support for student-athletes of color but also offer solutions to build more inclusive environments.
We congratulate Temi on all of his achievements and wish him continued success in his endeavors. His story reminds us that by embracing our identities and fostering connections, we can inspire future generations to thrive both on and off the field.Â
**P.S. Temi also wanted to share a personal recommendation: if you get a chance, definitely try Nigerian Jollof Rice! It's his favorite meal and a delicious way to experience a bit of his culture.
