In the academic world, there is hardly a more misleading term than “student-athlete.”
It should imply a student’s dedication is first to his or her schooling with a secondary emphasis in athletics. Unfortunately, today “student-athlete” has become as much of an oxymoron as military intelligence or Microsoft Works.
We see this trend mostly in the college realm of sports with rules like “one and done” in college basketball. A kid, one who is talented enough on the court, could snag a scholarship, stay for one year and simply count on his tutor to finish his Psychology 101 homework for him.
Meanwhile, he’ll play basketball for 40 hours a week and can still call himself a student-athlete.
Sounds pretty well-rounded, huh?
Obviously this issue has been thoroughly discussed at the Division I level where these athletes and programs are prominent enough to garner national attention.
But the problem is more far reaching than the college campuses strewn across the country. The problem lies right here in Iola.
No, it’s not like these local students can load up their schedules with filler classes for a single year like the D-I athletes can. But an obsessive and unhealthy focus on athletics can be just as destructive, even at the high school level.
Before I really get started, let me first say that I know how beneficial sports can be to a kid. I was one of the ones who never outgrew my love of sports, and luckily I found a career that helps feed my passion.
I’d go as far to say that every child should attempt to participate in at least one sport, if not for the health advantages then for the life values that can accompany team athletics.
Still, there’s a downside if you take sports too seriously.
The reality is that the majority — in fact, the vast majority — of kids won’t go to college for athletics. Even fewer will go pro.
So when I see Iola’s JV football team travel an hour each way for a single game during a school day, I think it’s time to reevaluate some things.
Running JV cross country for my first two years of high school, I know the benefits of JV sports. It gives younger and smaller kids the opportunity to pursue athletics, which I’m obviously all for.
But isn’t there a way to let these “student-athletes” have a life outside of JV football?
For example, when Iola drove its JV football squad an hour to Altamont on Monday night, the kids needed to leave straight from school. The game was at 6 p.m., but the team needed to arrive early to warm up and get suited up for the contest.
I ended up leaving Labette County High School at around 8:45 p.m. and the team was still on the field discussing its 66-22 loss. That means the players and coaches didn’t arrive back in Iola until at least 10 p.m.
On a Monday.
I remember having homework in high school. And I remember waking up at 6 a.m. to go to school. So when do these students have time for that if they’re at the ball field all day?
Should they stay up late to get their homework done and miss out on sleep? They could, but then they’re more likely to miss out on what’s going on during classes the next day because they’re too tired.
Should they bring their homework on the bus and attempt to knock it out there? They could, but then they have 50 of their friends begging them to quit the work and join in on their conversation or game.
Now think back to your high school days. If you’re trapped on a bus for two hours, do you think you’ll pay more attention to your textbook regarding the 19th Century industrialization of Europe or perhaps your best friend talking about the “date” he just went on.
These student-athletes need the opportunity to be well rounded and many times they’re not getting it.
I know Iola High joined the Pioneer League a couple years ago, and I know these other high schools aren’t exactly a stone’s throw away. But the school administration needs to look into whether being in a league that requires kids to travel excessively for sports is really worth it.
Today, both the tennis and volleyball teams are heading off to Pittsburg for matches. Statistics say that maybe one or two of those students will go on to play those sports in college — even at the community college level.
So is it really practical to keep a busload of children from focusing on school in order to participate in a game or two?
Sports has its place in school. I just don’t think that place has to be an hour away.
Time spent traveling for sports may prove costly for kids
