2 minute read
Inside Pop Warner Magazine (Summer 2020)
Many young athletes grow up dreaming of playing sports professionally, but the reality is only a small fraction go on to compete at the most elite levels. According to the NCAA, nearly eight million students participate in high school athletics, but just 480,000 compete as NCAA athletes, and only a select few within each sport move on to compete at the professional or Olympic level.
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While athletics and the experiences that come with it can provide many opportunities and valuable lessons, it’s important to prioritize academics. There’s a reason why we use the word “student-athlete,” and why the word “student” comes first. Education is vital and serves as the foundation for everything else. Since the beginning, Pop Warner has held its participants to the highest academic standards because we know excelling off the field is just as important, if not more, than on the field.
As a young athlete, it can sometimes be hard to understand why school matters and how to balance playing a sport and being a student. So, we spoke with the Deputy Athletic Director at Yale to learn more about the importance of academics and what it takes to succeed both on and off the field.
Describe your role at Yale and your experience working with student-athletes.
I am the Deputy Athletic Director at Yale. I oversee many internal operations of the athletic department, and specifically oversee the football program.
Pop Warner Little Scholars encourages young athletes to strive for academic excellence. What is one thing coaches, league administrators and parents can do to help encourage superior work ethic not only on the field, but in the classroom?
Continually remind our students that academics is what will open the doors for them to continue to pursue their athletic goals. Performing well academically will provide such broad opportunities for them to pursue their passions on so many different levels.
In addition, excellence in the classroom is what college coaches will look for. They will want to see student-athletes who are students first and showing that same level of tenacity, and focus on the competition field as they do in the classroom.
What is special about being a student-athlete in college? (Specifically, what is it like being a football player at Yale?)
Yale is world-class and the opportunity to be surrounded by the best and brightest minds in the world is a spectacular experience. In addition, you have the chance to compete at the highest level of college sports in NCAA Division I.
What are the most common challenges facing student-athletes?
Time management without question. Those who successfully manage their time will succeed. The ability to effectively and efficiently manage your time is one of the best traits you can possess if you are a student-athlete.
What skills are necessary for student-athletes to balance school and sports?
Laser focus and time management are certainly key. I would also add that getting enough sleep and living a healthy lifestyle are important factors that will contribute greatly to success.
What is one piece of advice you would give young people who aspire to be collegiate student-athletes?
Ask for help when you need it. Being a college student-athlete is incredibly challenging, but you will be surrounded by so many people that are willing to help as long as you are brave enough to ask for it.
