In high school I was the most predictable student in the entire student body. When teachers would take roll, they could always count on one thing: me not being there. My grades were horrible. My accumulative grade point average was below 1.0. I had no interest in school and kept junkie friends. These so-called friends would often skip school and would pressure me to do drugs. I was already puffing away on cigarettes by the time my junior year rolled around, and my future looked pretty bleak. During my senior year, I decided it was time for a drastic change. I took a brave step and tried out for the Camas High School Cheerleading Team. I made the team and became a student athlete. I was destined to graduate. Through my experience, I believe that involvement in athletics improves academics by providing students with better physical and mental health, thus insuring the athletic student a successful future. Indeed, the most obvious advantage to being involved in a sport would be better physical health. Coaches are a wealth of information and are highly dedicated to their jobs. They become closely involved in the student, just as a parent would be, and their ultimate goal is fitness. My cheerleading coach was a shining example of an ideal coach. Each day at practice, our coach would give us handouts that detailed the exercises each girl needed to do at home, as well as nutritional information. At practice, we were expected to do the same warm-up drills that the football players did. Typically, the drills included sit-ups and push-ups. We even lifted weights to further tone our bodies. All of these simple things taught me how to discipline myself both physically and mentally, because I had to push my body and mind each day. Constantly... ... middle of paper ... ...redly, my story is not unique, and chances are your child will one day struggle with their grades in school. Children like this should not be ignored. They need extra guidance from an attentive, skilled coach. I have witnessed what happens to a student who does not get the personalized attention. They become careless and lazy, and oftentimes will act out in inappropriate ways. These children grow up to display the same behavior in the adult world. They are irresponsible, depressed, and not dependable. They may still be struggling with drug addictions acquired in high-school. A poor student does not have to waste away. Involvement in sports will allow these students a fighting chance to make healthy choices, have positive self images, and to obtain the skills to pursue a profitable future. We all want what is best for our children, athletic involvement is the key.
“Maintaining good academic standing is part of the student athlete culture,” according to women’s head soccer coach Jack Hyde, “It’s part of their responsibility...they embrace it,” he said (Stricklen). “I love football and I wouldn’t want to mess it up by not getting good grades in all my classes,” said Narayan, a student athlete (Given and Tribou). However, more and more student athletes are not finding studying and keeping their grades up a priority. Most student athletes dream of one day becoming a professional athlete, but without good grades, they won’t be able to go to a good college to play for. Being an athlete with good grades also benefits them when trying to get scholarships. Becoming a professional
Typically, the average day of a high school student consists of seven long hours of school; followed by an extracurricular activity. According to the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS), as of 2014, there was a record high of nearly 7.8 million high school student athletes in the United States. Two experienced authors from The New York Times have contrasting views on athletics in schools. Amanda Ripley, the author of The New York Times bestseller, The Smartest Kids in the World, argues that sports should definitely be removed from high schools across the country. On the other hand, Donte Stallworth, former NFL player, is determined to keep children involved with sports. The main focal point for both Ripley and Stallworth
As Americans, we must take action against(or for) the issue of maintaining good grades while wanting to pursue an athletic career in high school. The reason being is because of untapped potential, bad time management skills, and peer pressure. There are many people who are affected by this issue such as students athletes, their parents/ guardian and the school itself. Lets not forget the hard working coaches that are counting on your presence you don’t wont to let them down.
Athletics in American schools have always been controversial for many reasons. Some of these reasons include health concerns, safety precautions, and academic significance. Daniel H. Bowen and Colin Hitt wrote an article titled, “High-School Sports Aren’t Killing Academics” to present the factors of positive correlation between success in athletics and academics. I believe that athletics in high schools not only benefit students socially, but also academically.
The benefits of playing competitive sports include self-discipline, control, and confidence. Also not doing drugs, alcohol, and sexual activity. Students who are intensely involved in sports are less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol or join gangs, have a later onset of sexual activity, and do better in school and form good peer relationships. Parents have a
High school sports are approached with clashing opinions. Some of these opinions are positive, and supportive of athletics. “Athleticism, among many activities, offers teens a physical outlet to exert their troubles, anger, emotions, and other feelings” (Chen 1). This can be observed in nearly all of the football players in Friday Night Lights. This can also be noticed in the world today. “Athletics help high school students understand their own abilities and talents” (Chen 1). This piece of evidence is very accurate when describing high school athletes. Sports can make a high school student humble. As can be seen by the preceding information, high school athletics can have a positive impact on a student’s life.
I decided that I wanted to play a sport, I chose volleyball. Most of my friends played the sport so it wasn't hard for me to adjust and make new friends. Becoming a student athlete was a big adjustment for me, I could no longer float through my classes but I need to excel. And that's exactly what I did. For the first time in my high school career I made not only honor roll, but principal’s honor roll. For the first time my mom was proud of my report card, that made me even more proud. From then on I knew I wanted nothing less than what I earned, good grades and a proud family. From my decision to chose to become a student athlete not only make me work harder but, be great at everything I put my mind to. I had motivation to stay successful, to stay eligible. Three years ago if you were to ask me where I thought I would be my senior year, I probably would have told you low level classes barely making it by. Now here I am today excelling in my education preparing to take the next step in my future, college. Even if we don’t understand why we go through them, we have to be willing to let our obstacles become out
Athletics has made a difference in my life through its redefining of the word “success.” Before I got involved with track and cross country, success was measured by goals I set and achieved for myself that made me happy. Since then, I have realized that success is much more gratifying when it is dependent on making those around me proud. In track, success is when I have trained hard enough so that I am able to help my relay team win a race or break the school record. In cross country, success is when I have built up enough endurance to contribute to the team score and help my team move on to the state meet. This mentality has translated to my daily life, as I am constantly working hard to please those around me. At school, I always do my homework and get good grades so that my teachers do not have to focus extra energy on getting me to do my work. At work, I strive to go above and beyond my typical duties so that I can lessen the responsibilities of my co-workers. At home, I help out with chores without being asked so that my parents can have one less thing
It will encourage students to try their best to accomplish superior grades. It opens their eyes in a different perspective on behavior as well as stronger scholastic peer relationships. It gives students activities excluding school work, because teenagers generally focus their mind on unacceptable actions. Parents commonly show passion along with appreciation when their child/children play a sport. They get to have a closer relationship and be elaborate with them more often than normal. Frequently, students do not care about their reputation or acknowledge the adults’ opinions on themselves; but in my opinion, playing sports and being mostly involved with their schools presents an improved character while in school and once they graduate. I was once told that “Sports do not build character. They reveal it.” Additionally, self-esteem in high school is hard to come by, occasionally sports help! Sports cause you to interact with other people and uplift you to do better. It presents a sharpened perspective on your schoolwork, career, future, and life altogether. In some cases, playing a sport can benefit you in an enhanced form. Scholarships can be a broad opportunity for valuable players with a good education on their shoulders. As well as, college recruitment can be another option. Money is hard to come by for college and if that seems to be a struggle for a student playing a sport can help tremendously. That
College is a time for young people to develop and grow not only in their education, but social aspects as well. One of the biggest social scenes found around college campuses are athletic events, but where would these college sports be without their dedicated athletes? Student athletes get a lot of praise for their achievements on the field, but tend to disregard the work they accomplish in the classroom. Living in a college environment as a student athlete has a great deal of advantages as well as disadvantages that affect education and anti-intellectualism.
For decades there has been a debate on student athletes and their drive to succeed in the classroom. From the very beginning of organized college level athletics, the goal to want to succeed in athletics has forced students to put academics to the back burner. In spite of the goal to want to succeed over a hundred years of attempts to check limits of intercollegiate athletic programs on colleges' academic standards still seems to struggle to this day. This brings to surface one of the most asked questions in sports, “What effect does college sports have on academics and economics?” Herbert D. Simons, Derek Van Rheenen, and Martin V. Covington, authors of “Academic Motivation and the Student Athlete” researched the topic on whether athletics and academics benefit each other. Bryan Flynn, the author of “College Sports vs. Academics” poses the question “Should institutions of higher learning continue to involve themselves in athletic programs that often turn out to be virtual arms races for recruiting talented players who bring big money and prestige, but put academics to the back burner?” Although both authors agree that sports have an impact on an athlete’s academics, the focus of their argument differs.
Partaking in school sports can have benefits and drawbacks. A student could be gaining confidence or wearing out their body. Sports is like betting, you win big or lose big. Winning meaning earning friends, gaining confidence, and maintaining better health. Losing meaning visits to the emergency room, countless injuries , and not being
Participation in sports has proven to increase self-discipline and self-esteem, and can teach athletes to learn from their mistakes and move on (Issitt). Athletes playing team sports also develop the ability to work well with others and use teamwork in their everyday lives. Teammates form relationships that are strengthened over a common passion and goal. These relationships can last long after high school is over (Chen). These social skills translate into better communication used with an athlete’s family, peers, and in the community. Likewise, “A 2006 study in Maryland found that student athletes are 15 percent more likely than non athletes to be involved in their communities and to take the time for civic engagements, including participating in voting and volunteer activities” (Issitt). The same study also concluded that athletes are far more likely to be comfortable with public speaking than non-athletes. This study provides concrete evidence that high school sports can help to gain mental and social skills that will be used later in life
Sports can help many at- risk youths. In order to participate in sports you need to be committed and willing to work hard. You also have to learn to respect others and accept that winning isn’t the only measure of success. Losing can build character as well. When youth participate in a sports they enjoy, they are less likely to engage in behaviors that are harmful or dangerous to themselves and others. It is for these reasons schools should strive to maintain athletic programs for their students.
Sports programs have been an integral part of all schools. They support the academics of the school and therefore foster success in life. These programs are educational and help produce productive citizenship. They help students experience and build skills that may help them in their future, like interpersonal and time management skills. Education may kindle the light of knowledge, but sports help to maintain the proper physique. Sports are also an important means of entertainment and a use for energy after long hours of study. Sports increase a student’s performance not only in the classroom but also in their life.