I have been involved with sports my whole life. I have been a student athlete since I was in fifth grade. I played softball, volleyball, and basketball. However, for awhile I was more of an athlete rather than a student. I could perform on the court, but not in the classroom. Not being able to perform in the classroom resulted in my parents removing me from any sport like activities until I was able to get my grades up. However, once I started to get better grades, they allowed me to continue playing sports until I started to veer off into the wrong direction again. When being a student athlete at any level, it is important that you keep the same level of motivation that you have on the court in the classroom. Although playing sports can be a thrill, a majority of student athletes do not play their sport for a career. In theory, it all comes down to getting good grades, getting a degree, and living a successful life. …show more content…
Being a student athlete not only entails motivation on the playing field but also in enhancing your education and learning skills such as leadership and communication. I have done extensive research on this topic and found many misconceptions that lead athletes to be the stereotypical jock. In today’s society many people have different views on athletic involvement enhancing academic development (Joseph). There are many reasons to believe why it does and does not matter. However, there has been research done that critically analyzes student athletes and non-student athletes. Some studies say that student athletes do not have the same competitive motivation in the classroom as they do on the playing field, while others state that being a student athlete helps promote better development in the classroom
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 student athlete is a term often used to describe a member of the student body at an institution as well as a member of one of the schools athletic teams. This is not a label that includes students who play recreational sports during their leisure time; this term is used for those students who split their time between athletics and academics.
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.
Potuto, Josephine (Jo) R., and James O'Hanlon. "National Study Of Student-Athletes Regarding Their Experiences As College Students." College Student Journal 41.4 (2007): 947-966. Humanities International Complete. Web. 21 Nov. 2011.
All college students sitting in classrooms today face challenges that can impede their success. A challenging course schedule, competing demand for the student’s time, and college readiness are all factors that can hinder a student’s performance in the classroom. Moreover, these challenges also have the ability to impact the student’s overall student development. While most students share a common set of stressors, there are certain groups on campus that face pressures and challenges that are not shared by the majority of their peers. Student athletes are such a group. Joshua Watson (2005) noted the positive benefits of participating in intercollegiate activities, but also noted that such participation can lead to issues of “maladjustment, emotional illness, and psychological distress” (p. 442).
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
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.
Apparently, most student-athletes don't ignore academic preparation even if they believe they will make the pros. The Harris survey was the first conclusive evidence that concerned athletes and school administrators have finally reached these young people after a decade of messages begging them to balance academic and athletic goals”(Lapchick). This piece of evidence supports that youths should have the opportunity to compete in contact sports because it explains how student-athletes today balance out sports and their academics. Participating in sports and balancing academics is hard but, studies show that student-athletes academics scores are higher.
The article I read talked about how football student athletes have successfully completed their freshman year. The question remained was why were the football student athletes successful in their freshmen year in college, what strategies took place, how did they grab the student athletes attention, and what suggestions would they have to assist in retaining students and promoting their academic success among first year student athletes.
The advantages of competing in college sports, for the athlete’s sake are both immediate, or while there in college, and also lifelong. Participating in college sports provides the athletes opportunities to learn, compete and succeed in their respective sports. Student-athletes receive top-notch academic support from the college, regular access to outstanding coaching, facilities and equipment, and quality health care through the college. It is shown that student-athletes as a group graduate at higher rates than their peers in college and feel better prepared for life after college. (http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future/want-play-c...
Getting involved in school sports can greatly impact a student by keeping them involved. Being involved in something that you like will help you stay out of trouble due to having less time to do the things that you shouldn’t be doing. There will be a better chance of you going to college if you are involved, are a good player, and have good sportsmanship. Many students love sports but don’t like school. For many, sports the only reason they
Tim O’Shei’s article,”No! Sports Are More Important Than Ever” states that,”These skills will serve you in many areas in your life, from your relationships with your friends, to your future jobs.”(SCOPE Jan 2014) Mr. O’Shei also wrote that,”to be a good team player, you need to be reliable, hard working, disciplined and willing to share the glory.” These are lifelong skills that not only give you pride in your school, but will continue for a lifetime. Clearly participation in after school sports builds a student's
Oh, you’re a student athlete? It must be fun, right? You must be so in shape, right? I mean, the only thing you do is play games, and it’s not very competitive, right? You must want to go to college to play this sport, right? These are all questions most student athletes get from time to time, and even if you cannot always relate to these questions, you can relate to these 5 statements.
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.
A very controversial issue in college athletics today is whether student athlete's academic goals or athletic events should be placed in higher importance. In our society today, many people people tend to think of highly renowned college athletes as athletes that dedicate all their time to the sport that they play. What many people tend to forget is that these college athletes have as large a responsibility in the classroom as they do playing football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, track and field, or whatever sport it is that they play. These student athletes are required to practice for many hours each week in addition to having to complete hours of homework and research papers that they may have. Some people may think that being a collegiate athlete would be a fun and easy task but however, they are wrong. Regular college students receive enough homework and papers to do. Imagine having to complete all of the homework that all non- student athletes have to complete in addition to the time consuming dedication to a sports team. This is the stressful and challenging life of a collegiate student athlete.