Students struggle to handle both athletics and academics by | Hannah Corn
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peeding home from her softball game, the West athlete raced through all the homework she had been assigned for the evening. She didn’t want to let down her teachers and coach — they were always encouraging the team to put academics first. Although this is a hypothetical story, all student-athletes have to balance both sports and academics. In college sports much is made of the negative impact athletics have on grades and progress toward a degree, but Athletic Director Luke Manuel feels that high school sports benefit students. “With sports, you have both teachers and coaches pushing you,” Manuel said. “Also, one thing that comes with athletics is responsibility, being organized and prepared. That itself really helps.” Nevertheless, balancing both sports and academics takes time management skills. “Use your time wisely. You know that you’re going to be at practice a certain amount of time
each day,” Coach Barry Lance said. “I always got into the habit of doing my homework right after supper. That way I had the rest of the night.” School eligibility requirements ensure that only the student-athletes that excel in the classroom are able to play. Students must pass three out of four classes and miss no more than 15 percent of the previous semester. If a student-athlete fails to meet these requirements, he or she is no longer able to participate. “Academics are the most important thing. That’s why they are here,” Coach Billy Phillips said. “If a student-athlete is struggling in the classroom, we will set up study halls for them to make sure that they get their work done.” According to the Global Post, student-athletes are more likely to actively participate in learning if coaches frequently discuss the importance of grades. Starting in the fall of 2014 all student-athletes in Henderson County will be required to obtain a 2.0 grade point average in order to participate in athletics. The new standard will prevent individuals from failing classes or just scraping by.
“There has never been a set standard,” Manuel said. “Right now you only have to pass three out of four classes, but you can make low grades. With this standard, you really are working toward your academics first, then playing sports as an athlete.” The absence rule in the athletic requirements will remain the same. A student must be present for 85 percent of the previous semester for the athlete to be eligible to play. Coach Randy Lytle approves of the changes. “It’s a great idea,” Lytle said. “I don’t think it’s going to affect many athletes, at least not at West. It’s a good idea because athletes always have to remember they are students first, then athletes.” About 25 percent of West students participate in athletics, according to Manuel. A recent study by the American College of Sports Medicine showed that participation in athletics can benefit a student-athlete’s GPA and test scores. “Time management is the most important thing,” Phillips said, “especially with not only academics, but with your whole life because varsity sports are pretty serious, so it’s a big time commitment, they have to be able to.”
Tips on handling athletics and academics
Spend less time on social media in the afternoon Turn your phone off during study time Make a weekly agenda to plan out special events Use your weekends to get a jump start on homework Avoid procrastination through spacing out work (Information from www.lhsaa.org)
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