Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Find Balance, Community, And Purpose During Ramadan
March 19, 2026 | Football, General, Tennis
Attia and El Sayed reflect on discipline, gratitude, and competing at a high level throughout the holy month.
BOULDER — As the final day of Ramadan arrives, Colorado student-athletes Yahya Attia (football) and Aya El Sayed (tennis) close out a month defined by discipline, gratitude, and unwavering commitment — both to their teams and to their faith.
For the past 30 days, they have started their day with suhoor, the pre-dawn meal that fuels the day-long fast. Their evenings have ended long after sunset, with iftar, the meal eaten after sunset, recovery, hydration, and preparation for the next day of practices, classes, and competition.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims around the world as a period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. From sunrise to sunset, participants abstain from food and drink, using the time to build discipline, deepen gratitude, and reconnect spiritually. For student-athletes performing at an elite level, it requires intentional planning, communication, and support — all while maintaining their competitive standards.
Each person has a different reason for participating. In Attia's case, the month brings a grounding sense of perspective.
"It's just reflection and discipline, makes me appreciate the things I have and humbles me," Attia said. "Not eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset for 30 days can get hard, but knowing there are people out there who deal with that every day makes me stay grounded and appreciate everything I have."
El Sayed sees Ramadan as a time she anticipates each year, a reset in every sense.
"Participating in Ramadan is a deeply meaningful and important time for me," El Sayed said. "It's a holy month, and it's honestly something I look forward to each year. It's not just about fasting, it's about strengthening my discipline, reflecting on my values, and growing spiritually. It gives me a chance to reset spirituality, mentally and physically, while focusing on gratitude and becoming more mindful of my actions."
This year's Ramadan has aligned with one of the busiest stretches of El Sayed's tennis season. She will have competed in 18 matches during the month, including a standout stretch that earned her Big 12 Player of the Week honors — an achievement she credits to discipline, careful preparation, and the support around her.
Both athletes describe Ramadan as a month that reshapes not only their routines, but their mindset — anchoring their daily lives in gratitude and discipline.
Within their programs, Attia and El Sayed say the support system around them makes a significant difference.
Attia feels that understanding every day.
"My teammates and coaches are very respectful and understanding; they check in to make sure I'm good to go and take care of me if I need a break," Attia said.
For El Sayed, the encouragement she receives helps her balance high-level competition with her personal commitment to the month.
"My coaches and teammates have been really supportive," El Sayed said. "They check in on me during practice, are understanding about energy levels during fasting, and help create an environment where I feel comfortable balancing both my faith and athletics."
From simple check-ins to shared awareness of their needs, both athletes feel the collective commitment of their teams.
As high-level college athletes, there is more to the process of maintaining their demanding schedules.
After four years observing Ramadan as a Buff, El Sayed says the staff has become deeply familiar with how to support her.
"The athletic department has done a great job supporting me by helping me adjust my routine," El Sayed. "This is my fourth year observing Ramadan at CU, so they're familiar with what I need and have been very supportive. The trainers are mindful of recovery and hydration, and the nutrition staff helps me plan meals around suhoor and iftar so I can continue to perform at my best."
El Sayed manages her time around both suhoor and iftar, especially with a heavy competition slate.
"During Ramadan, I adjust my daily schedule around fasting times, like waking up early for suhoor and prioritizing recovery after iftar," El Sayed said. "My training intensity doesn't change, so it comes down to discipline, time management, and making sure I take care of my body when I'm able to eat and hydrate."
Attia utilized help to adjust his nutrition schedule.
"Our nutritionist helps me plan my day and eating schedule," Attia said. "I wake up at night to get some water and fruit in, and I also adjust my meals to make sure I only eat what
benefits me. When I don't put anything in my stomach for over 12 hours, I get full quickly, so I have to make sure I'm getting the right stuff in."
For both Buffs, the daily structure becomes an exercise in balancing faith, recovery, and performance — a balance they approach with pride.
Attia and El Sayed hope others understand that Ramadan goes well beyond abstaining from food and water.
As Attia explains, "It's not just no eating and drinking, that's where your discipline is being tested, but you learn how to be more grateful for everything you have."
El Sayed adds, "Ramadan is much more than just fasting from food and water; it's a holistic spiritual 'reset' designed to build discipline, gratitude, and empathy."
For both athletes, observing Ramadan at CU has become a defining part of their experience — one that strengthens their identity, resilience, and connection to the campus community. With the support of teammates, coaches, and staff, Attia and El Sayed continue to compete at a high level while honoring a deeply meaningful tradition, finding purpose and pride throughout the month.
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For the past 30 days, they have started their day with suhoor, the pre-dawn meal that fuels the day-long fast. Their evenings have ended long after sunset, with iftar, the meal eaten after sunset, recovery, hydration, and preparation for the next day of practices, classes, and competition.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims around the world as a period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. From sunrise to sunset, participants abstain from food and drink, using the time to build discipline, deepen gratitude, and reconnect spiritually. For student-athletes performing at an elite level, it requires intentional planning, communication, and support — all while maintaining their competitive standards.
Each person has a different reason for participating. In Attia's case, the month brings a grounding sense of perspective.
"It's just reflection and discipline, makes me appreciate the things I have and humbles me," Attia said. "Not eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset for 30 days can get hard, but knowing there are people out there who deal with that every day makes me stay grounded and appreciate everything I have."
El Sayed sees Ramadan as a time she anticipates each year, a reset in every sense.
"Participating in Ramadan is a deeply meaningful and important time for me," El Sayed said. "It's a holy month, and it's honestly something I look forward to each year. It's not just about fasting, it's about strengthening my discipline, reflecting on my values, and growing spiritually. It gives me a chance to reset spirituality, mentally and physically, while focusing on gratitude and becoming more mindful of my actions."
This year's Ramadan has aligned with one of the busiest stretches of El Sayed's tennis season. She will have competed in 18 matches during the month, including a standout stretch that earned her Big 12 Player of the Week honors — an achievement she credits to discipline, careful preparation, and the support around her.
Both athletes describe Ramadan as a month that reshapes not only their routines, but their mindset — anchoring their daily lives in gratitude and discipline.
Within their programs, Attia and El Sayed say the support system around them makes a significant difference.
Attia feels that understanding every day.
"My teammates and coaches are very respectful and understanding; they check in to make sure I'm good to go and take care of me if I need a break," Attia said.
For El Sayed, the encouragement she receives helps her balance high-level competition with her personal commitment to the month.
"My coaches and teammates have been really supportive," El Sayed said. "They check in on me during practice, are understanding about energy levels during fasting, and help create an environment where I feel comfortable balancing both my faith and athletics."
From simple check-ins to shared awareness of their needs, both athletes feel the collective commitment of their teams.
As high-level college athletes, there is more to the process of maintaining their demanding schedules.
After four years observing Ramadan as a Buff, El Sayed says the staff has become deeply familiar with how to support her.
"The athletic department has done a great job supporting me by helping me adjust my routine," El Sayed. "This is my fourth year observing Ramadan at CU, so they're familiar with what I need and have been very supportive. The trainers are mindful of recovery and hydration, and the nutrition staff helps me plan meals around suhoor and iftar so I can continue to perform at my best."
El Sayed manages her time around both suhoor and iftar, especially with a heavy competition slate.
"During Ramadan, I adjust my daily schedule around fasting times, like waking up early for suhoor and prioritizing recovery after iftar," El Sayed said. "My training intensity doesn't change, so it comes down to discipline, time management, and making sure I take care of my body when I'm able to eat and hydrate."
Attia utilized help to adjust his nutrition schedule.
"Our nutritionist helps me plan my day and eating schedule," Attia said. "I wake up at night to get some water and fruit in, and I also adjust my meals to make sure I only eat what
benefits me. When I don't put anything in my stomach for over 12 hours, I get full quickly, so I have to make sure I'm getting the right stuff in."
For both Buffs, the daily structure becomes an exercise in balancing faith, recovery, and performance — a balance they approach with pride.
Attia and El Sayed hope others understand that Ramadan goes well beyond abstaining from food and water.
As Attia explains, "It's not just no eating and drinking, that's where your discipline is being tested, but you learn how to be more grateful for everything you have."
El Sayed adds, "Ramadan is much more than just fasting from food and water; it's a holistic spiritual 'reset' designed to build discipline, gratitude, and empathy."
For both athletes, observing Ramadan at CU has become a defining part of their experience — one that strengthens their identity, resilience, and connection to the campus community. With the support of teammates, coaches, and staff, Attia and El Sayed continue to compete at a high level while honoring a deeply meaningful tradition, finding purpose and pride throughout the month.
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