Academic Success and Sports

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Vince Lombardi, one of the most successful football coaches of all time, said, “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but a lack of will.” Although Lombardi was primarily speaking about success on the turf, he was also speaking about success in life. Aside from being a phenomenal leader on the field, Lombardi was a leader in all aspects of life and stands as a role model for many young student athletes. When student athletes apply this extraordinary will to their academics alongside athletics, the stellar character of these young adults is revealed. Unfortunately for these athletes, many people, especially educators, blame athletics for struggles within the classroom. A common controversy amongst parents, educators, coaches, and athletes is if education is severely affected by athletic participation. When the results of classroom performance aren’t proficient or greater, it is easy to blame sports because of their time consuming nature. This topic carries a lot of weight for kids ranging from middle school to graduate students because, for many, involvement in athletics is a crucial part of developing important life skills that cannot be attained through a classroom setting, and may be the student’s only method of social outreach. Sports serve as a sanctuary, an escape, a passion, and so much more to each individual involved. Athletics have the potential to negatively impact education, if you allow them to yet research shows just as many cases of sports having positive affects on education as cases of sports being detrimental towards education. The truth of the matter is that your education is your responsibility, and sports cannot be blamed for a lack of succes...

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...d. Placing the blame of below average grades on athletic programs is a way to shift the focus off the fact that students are simply not applying themselves, and can in no way be proven.

Works Cited
Barron, John M., Bradley T. Ewing, and Glen R. Waddell. "The Effect of High School Athletic Participation on Education and Labor Market Outcomes." Review of Economics and Statistics 82.3 (2000): 409-21. EBSCO. Web. 5 Dec. 2013.

Benjamin, Ashley B. "Athletics: Is the Tail Wagging the Dog?" Phi Kappa Phi Forum 84.4 (2004): 1-3. EBSCO. Web. 5 Dec. 2013.

Gayles, Joy Gaston, and Shouping Hu. "Athletes as Students: Ensuring Positive Cognitive and Affective Outcomes." New Directions for Higher Education 148 (2009): 101-07. EBSCO. Web. 8 Dec. 2013.

Ripley, Amanda. "The Case Against High-School Sports." The Atlantic 18 Sept. 2013: 1. Theatlantic.com. Web. 13 Dec. 2013.

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