THE GREEN ARCH
PAGE 8
MARCH 2020
Sports
A Glimpse into the Health Crises in Sports Caroline Antunes ‘20 CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
An ongoing debate centering around student athletes generally seeks to However, problematic responses manifest in everything from eating disorders argue whether or not sports present more harm or benefit to mental health. Certo anxiety, and even suicide in extreme cases. The latter is more common, though, tainly, sports can offer an emotional and physical outlet. Studies have shown that in professional athletes who experience a career ending injury. exercise is helpful to cope with anxiety, depression, and other mental health disMany reasons constitute “problematic” reactions. Some athletes, taken off vigorders. Ultimately, however, orous exercise, may severely reit is impossible to neglect the strict their calorie intake believdifference between leisure ing they are not fit for the same exercise and intense training lifestyle. For some, exercise was schedules of student athletes. a coping mechanism in the first Especially in the high place, and once injury removes school and collegiate level, athletes from their sport, there demands on athletes have incan be struggles with self-worth. creased almost exponentially. Generally, athletes see themIf athletes and coaches do not selves as one with their sport; approach these demands with thus, when an injury threatens careful attention and training, their own self image, identity this can lead to multiple concrises are likely to ensue. The sequences. Burnout or overbroad study of mental health use injuries are common in in student athletes culminates the sports realm, especially with a well known fact: there are as high school students are little resources for athletes with pushed towards a single sport, anxiety, depression, or other dispracticing all year round at inorders. tense demands. Combined With a certain work ethic with an intense academic drilled into athletes, most power workload, professionals have through mental obstacles just as noted an increased threat to they would physical obstacles. mental health. Even if services were in place to Mental health issues in provide help, there is a certain student athletes present stigma around these disorders. themselves in a broad specA pressured field seeks to elimtrum. Firstly, the massive inate all sources of weakness. commitment to sports generFor many, this includes mental ally means that student athletes must weakness. Archmere Cross Country traveled fast and far this past Fall 2019. Photo Courtesy of Barksdale Photos. make sacrifices socially. Added to the The barrier to achieving mental pressure of academics and training, health resources in the athletic realm putting relationships second can impact the athlete’s mencan be taken down with multiple measures. For one, edutal health. cation on one’s mental state can provide foremost help in Interestingly enough, many mental health issues in raising awareness. The broad study of mental health in sports are generally uncovered once an injury has occurred. A study done by the Department of Athletic Medicine student athletes culminates with a well Working to succeed in both sports and the classroom obat Princeton University says, “[Providing support] might inviously has its own demands; with an injury added to the clude keeping athletes engaged and encouraging athletes known fact: there are little resources mix, stress exacerbates this issue. Many studies indicate to seek help instead of ‘tough it out.’ For coaches one of the that injuries commonly trigger the appearance of depresfor athletes with anxiety, depression, or most powerful actions is to ‘give the athlete permission’ and sion or anxiety not previously seen. Because athletes put so encourage them to seek care.” If coaches add in positive remany dedicated hours and energy towards perfection, not inforcement, confidentiality, and fostering positive, healthy other disorders. being able to perform can significantly impair the athlete. relationships with their athletes, the sports world will find For many, an inability to perform- for most, what is their itself in a new era: one where mental performance is given passion and work- unravels their identity and confidence. the same attention as physical performance. Emotionally coping with an injury can present itself in typical reactions like anger, sadness, irritation, or even changes in appetite.
Sam Curry ‘20 STAFF REPORTER
Winter Sports Deserve More Love
Gamepoint for Archmere and the Lady Auks serve the ball over as the packed bleachers yell “woosh” accompanying the serve. The girls set the ball up and spike it down winning the game; the crowd goes wild and the athletes beam with pride and love. In just a few quick months though, volleyball, football, soccer, and other fall sports are finished for the year and the fall season dies down. Unfortunately, so does the spirit. The student section at our winter sports games are barren and dry compared to the abundant love Archmere receives during the fall. This issue is saddening and the student body needs to attempt fixing this problem. “Having been on both sides, there is a large dip in student support during the winter months,” said senior Bora Kilicoglu. “In some ways, the games at home can feel like glorified practices with uniforms because there is such a lack of support.” Having a student section cheering is a major motivator so when that is missing, team morale suffers, especially when Archmere is very capable of giving support. The student body shows up and shows out
especially when Archmere is very capable of giving support. The student body shows up and shows out for sports like football and volleyball but falls short when it comes to our winter seasons that follow. In the fall, students are eager to attend football and volleyball games finally being back to school and the teams are eager to have them in attendance. “The fans motivate us to be the best we can be and play our hardest,” said senior Lauren Edmiston. “There’s nothing more comforting than seeing dozens of your classmates supporting you in the sport you love.” Archmere needs to take steps towards facilitating school spirit in the direction of winter sports. Mr. Johnson and STUCO have instituted a Green and White night for February 1st in hopes to get people energized during the long winter season. “[At the beginning of the school year,] people are just excited to be back, at the end of the year people are ready to finish so that gives them energy,” said Mr. Johnson. “I think winter sports is just this lull of the year.”
Winter sports deserve an outpour of love and support just like the fall season prior. It is up to the students to want to show spirit and cheer for our fellow auks. Go to a basketball game or wrestling match; make it a social thing, but come. Represent Archmere and show off our sense of community proudly. Let’s not let the level of spirit fall with the leaves.
