Most college students find it challenging to balance coursework, a social life, and extracurriculars. Imagine being Ian Strong, a standout wide receiver for the Scarlet Knights who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication at SC&I. To stay on top of his schedule while living under the spotlight is an entirely different ball game. Between morning practices, afternoon lectures, media appearances, and late-night study sessions, Strong’s discipline and drive enable him to succeed.

Strong, a 2025 Biletnikoff Award watch list player and All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, who hails from Long Island, New York, said he was drawn to Rutgers because it is "the perfect blend of high-level academics and athletics, and it has also allowed me to stay close to home and near my family.”

That combination — opportunity, proximity, and purpose — made the choice an easy one, he said, because Rutgers not only offered him the platform to compete at the highest level of college football, but the academic foundation to develop his voice, sharpen his communication skills, and prepare for a career beyond the field.

Field Goals and Future Goals - Why Choose Communication?

Strong’s decision to major in Communication was motivated by curiosity and foresight. “I’ve always found many of the fields that touch communications fascinating,” he explains. “With the rise of short-form content, podcasts, and social media, I felt that majoring in communication would give me broad exposure to different fields I might decide to pursue after my football career ends.”

Strong is already preparing for a versatile future after football. Majoring in Communication, he said,  will enable him to explore storytelling, media strategy, and public relations, all of which intersect with his current life. From navigating interviews to building a personal brand, Strong sees the major not just as an academic pursuit, but as a means to acquire vital life skills.

A Day in the Life of a Scarlet Knight - Student-Athlete Balance

Life as a Division 1 athlete demands both productive structure and mindful outlets. Strong’s days are meticulously planned from dawn to midnight: “I make sure I map out each day of my week before it begins so I am on top of my obligations,” he says. “I generally focus on football in the morning and early afternoon. Then I transition to academics in the afternoon and evenings.”

After a long day of workouts, practices, and classes, Strong still carves out time for himself. “I’ll block out a few minutes at night before I go to bed to call my family and meditate,” he says. “Then I’m off to bed.” It’s a restorative routine that underscores his focus — and his deep appreciation for the support system that keeps him grounded.

Managing both SC&I coursework and Big Ten competition isn’t easy. But Strong approaches it with wisdom beyond his years. “It certainly is a balancing act,” he admits. “I’ve learned that time management isn’t about doing everything. It’s really about doing the right things consistently. There are only 1,440 minutes in a day. How you manage your time and what you do with it determines your success.”

Playbook for Life - Passing Knowledge, Catching Opportunities

One of the classes that has made a particular impact on Strong this semester is Public Relations Management. “The class challenges me to think critically, and I think that has helped me with my dealings with the media in football,” he says.

A moment that captured his natural ease with the media came this past summer, when Strong represented Rutgers at Big Ten Media Day in Las Vegas, a high-profile opportunity where communication, poise, and confidence were key. Under the bright lights and intense pressure of the 2025 Big Ten Football Media Days, Strong held his own as a sports commentator, previewing the upcoming season, alongside Rutgers teammates Athan Kaliakmanis and Dariel Djabome.  

Strong is also quick to credit his coaches and professors for shaping his growth as both an athlete and a student. “The best advice I’ve received is really a way of life from Coach Schiano,” Strong says. “He always reminds us that success is the peace of mind you get from knowing you did everything you could to be the best you can be.”

It’s a mindset that Strong applies to everything — whether he’s running routes on the field, through the motions of personal relations, or the show at the round table for Rutgers.

Eyes on the End Zone - Giving it Everything He’s Got

While his dream of playing in the National Football League remains front and center, Strong has alternative career plans. He said the Communication major gives him options — from media and sports broadcasting to marketing and public relations. His academic and athletic experiences are deeply intertwined, preparing him for both the spotlight and the strategy behind it.

“Absolutely, my Communication classes have helped me greatly in my dealings with the media and also on camera,” he says. “The skills I’ve learned here at Rutgers paid dividends at Big Ten Media Day and will continue to do so throughout my career.”

As he looks toward graduation in Spring 2026, Strong remains laser-focused on his goals. Whether it’s in the NFL or in the media world that surrounds it, he’s ready for the next play — on and off the field.

For now, he continues to define what it means to be a student-athlete at Rutgers: disciplined, driven, and dedicated to both personal and professional growth. “If you can go to bed every night knowing you did everything possible to put yourself in the best position to be successful in what you desire,” he says, echoing Coach Schiano’s mantra, “that will give you great peace of mind — regardless of the outcome.”

In just his third year at Rutgers, Ian Strong already embodies that peace of mind — not because the journey is easy, but because he’s giving it everything he’s got.

Learn more about majoring in Communication at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information on the website.

Photo captions: Top: Ian Strong's Roster photo. Bottom: Ian Strong (right) pictured with teammate Athan Kaliakmanis, the starting quarterback for Rutgers football (left). Photos used with permission from Rutgers Athletics.