Taking flight with Brandon Rainbolt

While walking down the stuffy halls of Bizzell Library, it was no surprise that I saw Brandon Rainbolt typing away at his computer. He is hard at work trying to finish his expository writing paper that is due a week earlier then the rest of his classmates. Why? He will be high in the Rocky Mountains competing against some of the best athletes in America on the day it's actually due. Brandon is a semi-profesional snowboarder who often has to be away from class for a full week in order to train and prepare for his competitions. "I am in my room studying consistently for a class just to try to keep up and not fall behind," he said. He admits he struggled at first, but is now learning to effectively balance the two and become successful at both. However, he will soon have to make a decision of whether or not to pursue snowboarding as a career and leave school. 
Things are looking up for Brandon on the slopes making this decision even tougher. He competed at the X-Games Railjam, will be competing at nationals and is looking to sign with several sponsors. "I am basically basing the rest of my college life off of the next couple months of snowboarding," Rainbolt said. 
Ian Hammond, one of Rainbolt's closest friends and pledge brother will support him no matter what the outcome of his decision is. “I just want him to do whatever makes him happy, ultimately in life you have to do whatever makes you happy,” Hammond said.

(VIDEO: Chris Corbaz 1:26)