Sports is one of the major activities which many students’ daily schedules, attitudes, and overall developments depend upon. Athletics have traditionally been treated strictly as a physical activity, when, in fact, there are so many other areas in which the implications of sports participation extend beyond the playing field. As a matter of fact, involvement in sports may affect academic performance, personal development, and mental health, along with further opportunities for the student-athlete.

One of the deep influences sports have, however, is on time management. Most student athletes lead very busy lives with classes, homework, practices and games. It instills in them discipline and organization when learning to juggle such responsibilities. Many athletes have to do their schoolwork on the bus to games or make use of every free moment during the day. This may be stressful, but it also helps one to develop good study habits that later in life will prove very helpful.

Other effects sports can have are in the development of a person’s character and personal growth. Team sports teach the young athlete how to work with people in order to accomplish one thing. They become more communicative, learn to take on leadership opportunities when presented and know how to handle success or failure. Sure, losing can teach the athletes resiliency and to keep working on themselves, but winning builds up a person’s confidence. Coaches also make big contributions while teaching them responsibility and self-discipline. These characteristics often flow over into school and into everyday life as well.

Faith athlete Ryley Heil said, “Sports has created structure and encouragement through my life because I can always be involved with something that has a family outside of my family with people who always support me and wanna see me go the farthest that I can.”

Sports are believed to contribute much to the participants’ physical and mental health. With regular exercises, athletes keep in shape and gain strength, which helps them avoid problems with their health. Physical activity is also said to reduce stress and improve one’s mood. Sports become a healthy outlet for some students-athletes since it aids in dealing with stress generated either at school or due to personal challenges.

Faith athletic trainer Mrs. Kianna said, “Being a high-school trainer taught me that instead of building better athletes, sports build better people. Every practice builds character, every setback teaches resilience, and every victory reminds students that hard work truly does pay off.”

Being part of a team will build an excellent support system for an athlete. He or she will have a place where he or she will be valued and understood. One should not forget that very often sports participation can itself be a source of stress: an athlete may feel the pressure of performing well. In their struggle to balance expectations from coaches, parents, and themselves at times, athletes are driven to anxiety or burnout.

Beyond high school, more opportunities may result from participation in sports. Most students participating in sports hope to continue playing through college; some will thus receive scholarships. Even when an athletic career concludes after high school graduation, the athletic experience often makes both an application to colleges and a résumé much stronger. Employers and admissions officers consider the discipline of the athletes, teamwork that the athlete undergoes, and the leadership qualities developed within the sport. This may also allow students to develop an interest in a field that would lead them into coaching, sports medicine, or athletic training as a career path.

These are the ways sports will have a much deeper, long-lasting impact on the life of a student-athlete, as they teach upstanding responsibility, hard work, and teamwork that mold and shape who they are. These indeed build better physical and mental health and open more opportunities later in life. Balancing athletics with academics is complicated and full of challenges; however, it is the learned skills and lessons that prevail beyond the last whistle being blown.

Football player for Faith, Carter Besser said, “I wouldn’t be who I am without sports. Sports have shaped the way I have viewed the world and have handled things in my life. It has been a good foundation for everything that I go through and it made me stronger today.” Many people view sports as so much more than what they do, but as a part of who they are.