Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Sports and Athletics

  • By Deborah P. Moore
  • 10/01/14

I am sure many people consider sports and athletics extracurricular activities with little to no effect on schools or learning. I, for one, disagree! Education is about preparing students to be successful — not just in school — but in life. What students can learn by participating in sports programs will have lasting effects.

A recent survey conducted by the Minnesota State High School League found that the average GPA of a high school athlete was 2.84, while a student who was not involved in athletics had an average GPA of 2.68. The survey also showed that student athletes missed less school than their non-athlete counterparts. Other studies show a correlation between participation in sports/athletics and fewer discipline referrals and a lowered drop-out rate.

We should also consider the intangibles, like the development of leadership, social and communication skills, or the benefits of teamwork and cooperation. Leadership skills are a necessity if we expect to advance in our personal or professional lives.

According to the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), when being considered for a job, intrapersonal skills trump education and even experience in the field. These are skills that must be learned by members of a team. Team members must work cooperatively to achieve a common goal.

Students involved in athletics are forced to learn time-management skills and encouraged to find a balance between school and sports (work and play). Concepts that will hold true for students now and later in life.

We should not overlook the health and psychological benefits of exercise and sports. Studies show that exercise has a positive influence on depression, self-worth and physical self-perception. They also show that exercise is an essential part of good mental health. When it comes to a healthy lifestyle, athletes learn that good nutrition and regular physical activity are a necessity for success.

And how about the community-building aspect? There is nothing like Friday night football to bring a community together.

Funding is not what it used to be for most schools and sports programs. Being an “educated” person means being a well-rounded person. We must instill the value of hard work, self-discipline, time management, cooperation, teamwork and commitment in our students. Participation on a team can do that!

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028.

  • Academy of Classical Education Breaks Ground in Louisiana

    Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) recently announced the groundbreaking of a new public charter school in Covington, La., according to a news release. The Academy of Classical Education at Covington will enroll students in grades K–8 and is scheduled for completion in August 2026, just in time for the new school year.

  • University of Arizona Approves New Residence Hall

    The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved plans for a new residence hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., according to a news release. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and have the capacity for more than 1,200 students, enforcing a new university expectation that all first-year students live on campus.

  • University of Illinois Moves Forward with College Sports’ Largest Digital Scoreboard

    The University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill., recently announced a series of upgrades to Gies Memorial Stadium that will include the largest scoreboard in college sports, according to a news release.