At school, students are encouraged to get involved in activities. Participating in and contributing to a variety of clubs and teams makes for well-rounded students, creates larger networks of friends, and provides an overall healthy and positive experience.

It does not make sense, then, that students are punished for doing what they are told and what is good for them. But this is frequently the case with student athletes whose commitments to sports conflict with their commitments to other activities. When a student misses practice or a competition for a club meeting or event, he or she is often punished by having the privilege to compete taken away. For example, attending a debate competition may result in sitting out a meet or game.

High school is and should be a smorgasbord of positive experiences that help us become healthy, mature and happy adults.  Those experiences include both athletic and non-athletic activities – soccer, band, math team, tennis, theater, etc. – which teach us about teamwork, friendship and personal excellence while providing a stress-relieving outlet that’s also enjoyable. Students should be encouraged to have more of these experiences, not fewer.  No one should tell them that they need to give up one activity to pursue another.

Students also learn to efficiently manage limited time when involved in sports and clubs. Wasting valuable time that could be used for sleep or study on one’s phone is simply not an option for those who are busily hustling from one activity to the next. Teachers and parents constantly try – frequently to no avail – to persuade students to spend less time staring at a screen and more time staring at their books, when an easy remedy is to get involved in activities outside of school and learn important time management skills.

Yes, athletic coaches want to win.  And yes, winning is important.  But it’s actually less important than becoming a well-rounded and happy person.  And while we certainly appreciate our coaches and the work they do, isn’t this really about the students?  Shouldn’t it be?  We think so.