Athletics in the School System

Athletics are important to the school systems. Sports such as Football, Soccer, Cheerleading, basketball, lacrosse, Golf, and Track and Field, mold and positively influence the lives of students. Activities such as these, build character in our youth, keep students out of trouble, and works as an incentive for student to maintain their grades and behavior.

To build ones character is to among other things, instill integrity, understanding, pride and ambition within that person. Playing team oriented sports are a good way to start gaining these characteristics. From experience, being on a cheerleading team with 24 other young women, is no stroll in the park. However, being on the team taught me sportsmanship, how to relay my ideas in a positive way, how to be open-minded to others suggestions, to provide and take constrictive criticism, and how to work with others toward a common goal. Athletics essentially, trains students to release their ego and selfishness, and partner with other students to pursue an objective. These qualities are things that will stay with our youth throughout their lives and aid them with handling situations on and off the field, court, or mat.

Athletics provides the self-esteem, which allows kids to make the transition from followers to leaders. A sport also keeps students disciplined. "An idle mind is the devils playground." Without anything to be a part of, or participate in, students resort to activities that are not beneficial to them. With nothing to work toward, ambition is lost, and students stray into activities that they shouldn't. Students that haven't had the best opportunities as a result, are given the opportunity to be a part of something positive.

In most school systems, to be eligible to participate in a sport, a certain grade point average has to be maintained. Essentially, if students would like to remain on their team, they have to do what it takes academically. In addition when students are displaying behavioral problems, the situation is typically brought to the coach's attention. Students in my school are either punished in practice, or prevented from participating in an upcoming competition. All in all, students are faced with a choice. They either maintain their grades and behavior, and take part on the team, or allow their grades and behavior to slip, and be removed from the team.

In the school system, athletics is a necessity. They strengthen the interaction between students, better student's grades, and keeps students out of trouble. Sports also assist the kids that don't participate in them, because the positivity that is bestowed on the students who do participate is spread and learned by other students. Without sports in schools, students would lose the very foundation of their character, and the morals which steer them into successful adulthood.