Student Athlete - What does it means for them and Why it is Important

By Alivya Herman (10)

alivya.herman@fwcsstudents.org

March 23, 2023

South Side High School is full of student athletes. They’re participating in sports for enjoyment or to get into a good college. But as a student athlete you need to be a student first before being an athlete. 

It’s important to be a student first because coaches and teachers have expectations for getting work done, getting good grades, and doing your best in activities. 

Mrs. Susan Thomas is a history teacher at South Side as well as in charge of making sure student athletes have good grades so that they’re eligible to play.  

“According to the IHSAA you are eligible as long as you don’t have more than two F’s at the end of the quarter. But, we want higher standards for student athletes and if an athlete has a D, F or NS they are required to attend tutoring each week until his or her grades are all a C or higher,” Mrs. Thomas said. 

When being a student athlete, the students are responsible for keeping their grades up and putting in the effort in school that they do in sports so that they’re able to play. If the athletes' grades aren’t up, South Side has weekly study tables at City Life or in the library after school that students have to go to for them to get their grades up. 

It's important to have a balance between academics and athletics. Parris Bevelle (12), has been playing sports all throughout high school. She is very familiar with the grade expectations as well as sport expectations.

“Being a student athlete to me means that you are staying on top of your work and you’re being responsible yet you’re still able to go out to your sports and still be a team player. You’re able to keep that balance between being a student and an athlete,” Bevelle said. 

It means that you’re representing your school as well as yourself. You’re committed to hours of school and hours of practicing and games. This process teaches students to be a part of a team and to set goals for the future. 

The coaches and teachers play a big role when being a student athlete. They have expectations for students and want them to succeed. Kole Mault (10), plays baseball at South Side. He as a student athlete knows the importance of grades and works hard to be on the team. 

“Being a student athlete is putting in the work to keep your grades up before being an athlete. Like the coaches want me to have really good grades and to work hard and to just put in the effort into school and sports,” Mault said. 

Getting involved in sports and extracurricular activities helps students build relationships with others and teaches them the importance of working together. Being a student athlete gives students the opportunity to make lifelong friends and to grow life skills to prepare for the future ahead. 

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