By Andy Belilos

Sentry Staff Reporter

In the past year, there have been numerous articles arguing that America’s obsession with high school sports are detrimental to our education, and are part of the reason for our falling behind other countries in test scores. However, the goal of high school is not and should not be just creating one dimensional students who score well on standardized tests In my mind, the goal should be to create well-rounded and eventually productive citizens, and sports are one of the great ways to become overall talented people.

The benefits of sports as a part of one’s education are plentiful and cannot be quantified as test scores can be, as they teach young people to work in a team environment and to be competitive and driven. In many ways, team sports are a basic model for future workplaces, as many characteristics needed to succeed on the football field and the basketball court are also needed in conference rooms and offices. Sports teach kids to work through problems instead of giving up as soon as a wall is hit, and that is a skill that cannot be taught in a math classroom.

I have played team sports for my entire life and have encountered many problems that are obviously similar to those that one could encounter in an office environment. For example, I have been on teams that have had athletes step up to become leaders, and those that have not, and it is fairly easy to guess which ones have been more successful. Over time, I have learned to become that leader myself and it has helped me in ways off the field.

Being in a position where people listen to what you say and follow your lead more often than not is incredibly humbling. When you realize that your words and actions can affect much more than just your own outcome, you learn to make decisions in the eyes of many instead of just your own. Where in a classroom can that vital life skill be taught?

In America, we have the freedom to be both students and athletes; contrastly, in countries such as China, for instance, a girl who wants to pursue competitive gymnastics must be identified at a young age and may then be removed from her family, and put into rigorous training. Academics then are put in the backseat.

However, if high school sports are not supported, this American freedom is threatened. If one is not exceptional at an extremely young age and in possession of the financial resources to play, his or her future in that sport is extremely limited. Michael Jordan, who did not excel in basketball until later in high school and was cut from his Junior Varsity team, would not have had the opportunity to become the basketball legend that we know him as today. Ronald Reagan, who developed a love of football in high school, may not have acquired the skills to become president; for example, leadership.

While there are ways outside of sports for kids to develop these skills, such as marching band or theatre, why single out sports? If one’s goal is to completely focus students on academics, why not get rid of all extra-curricular activities? Almost certainly, being in a school play is just as much of a time commitment as being on the baseball team. My friend who had a role in a past play had practice every day and was not able to do many things that I am not able to do now, playing baseball.

I strongly believe that athletics are the best teacher of life lessons possible, and limiting students’ choice to participate in them would be a crime to their future. What a high school athlete would bring to the workplace is discipline, teamwork, a drive for success, the desire to be held accountable and a willingness to have their performance measured, all components necessary to have a long and successful career in whatever they decide to do.