Student Athletes: Not All Fun and Games

By Elizabeth O'Hara

It’s eight o’clock on a Monday night and the girl’s soccer game hasn’t even reached halftime. Even before the scheduled 7 p.m. game, the girls remained at the school eating for energy and strategizing for a win.
“I leave for school at five of seven every day. If I have practice, I won’t get home until 5:30. If I have a game, it may be as late as nine or ten at night,” said Jess DeLory, a Hanover High School athlete.
Between school, sports, and in some cases a job, student athletes have a lot on their plate.
“To be a student athlete, you must have a good sense of time management and self discipline,” said Whitman-Hanson girl’s varsity soccer coach, David Floeck.
Being a student athlete comes with a lot of responsibility. Generally, a student athlete is expected not only to set a good example in school and on the field, but also in the community.
“The players are also citizens of the community and are expected to set a good example. If not, that one person would reflect poorly on the whole team,” Floeck said.
In addition to school and community rules, a coach will typically set his or her own standards that the players must abide by. They may range from respecting your opponent, to getting a tutor for the math class you’re flunking.
With rules, come consequences. Some students are not able to handle so many expectations and find themselves facing the wrath of their coach.
“Really, they stand to lose more,” said Floeck.
If a student is in trouble academically, they may be required to attend a tutoring session during practice time. If a student finds themselves in other types of trouble, they may find themselves facing suspension or even expulsion from the team.
“It’s all really hard to manage,” said DeLory, the athlete.
As the assistant principal of Whitman-Hanson, Floeck does not typically see many problems with student athletes, though there are some.
“Usually the athletes are good students who want to do well and don’t create problems,” said Floeck.
A report released by the NCAA in October found that 79 percent of students who entered college in the fall of 2001 graduated within six years. This is an all time high.
“Our athletic director always says that we’re student athletes. Student always comes first,” said DeLory.
It is not always so easy.
“I had no time and was too tired to care about my homework,” said Allison O’Hara of her freshman year playing junior varsity soccer at Whitman-Hanson.
Learning to juggle your time may be considered an art for some.
“If you don’t have a system that works for you, then find a teammate who does and is willing to help,” suggested Floeck.
Because of the time commitment and focus on discipline, some high schools have considered giving credit to those students who participate in a sport.
The Board of Education in Texas approved a bill that will give athletes enough credits toward graduation for their participation in sports, so that they would only be required to take one elective class during high school.
It is an idea that not many embrace.
“I don’t think that is right. It’s more important to get those classes in and be well rounded than to focus on athletics,” said Serina Pen, a former Abington High School student.
This plan only includes student athletes, leaving out those who participate in clubs or other after school activities that require great time commitment.
“The discussion always comes up, but what about the kids who participate in band and other clubs? It would create an almost, elitist atmosphere,” said Floeck.
Receiving credit from athletics would replace some academic learning.
“I do not feel that playing a sport should give you credit for an academic class. They are both important, but different,” said Jim Daley, athletic director at Whitman-Hanson.
Even with such a hectic lifestyle, student athletes say that the benefits of playing are countless. These include physical fitness, camaraderie, pride, spirit, and self discipline. And although it all may be hard to handle, sometimes the benefits outweigh the negatives, DeLory said.
“It’s hard work but I love my team. No way would I leave,” DeLory said.