Athletics is ingrained in the human experience and is an integral part of American culture. Because of that, many of my weekends and after school hours have been dedicated to either watching a game or starting one with the kids in the neighborhood. Athletics runs deep in my family. My great uncle was a professional baseball player and my family, including my father, three brothers and a sister, are all very involved with the various team sports. It’s this immersion into various sporting activities that has led me to the understanding that engaging in athletics has a very positive impact in our lives. Additionally, sports are extremely important in building one’s character through hard work, learning to work with others on a team and by learning how to cope with the joy of winning and the inevitability of losing.…
Fewer kids play amid pressure.” by Machael Rosenwald, the author addresses an issue widely faced by many children. Quitting sports because of the pressure their parents put on to them to keep playing to hopefully become a professional “elite athlete”. A survey was taken to see what the top factors contributing to kids happiness was. The results helped to prove the fact that children aren’t in games for winning or being the best. This is proven when the article reads, “...low on the list: playing in tournaments, cool uniforms and expensive equipment. High on the list: positive team dynamics, trying hard, positive coaching and learning”(Rosenwald 3). As this shows, children enjoy not being pushed to constantly be the best. Instead, they prefer being encouraged and not being forced into…
Many children that compete in youth sports receive trophies for their participation. The question is, are these trophies leaving a positive or a negative impact towards children. Supporting participation trophies, Lisa Heffernan states that it does teach children good values with her argument titled “In Defense of Participation Trophies”. Opposing participation trophies, Vivian Diller states that it does not prepare children for the real world with her argument titled “Do We All Deserve Gold? Setting Kids up to Fail”.…
Traditions: “Many adults attitudes to sports and physical education are heavily influenced by the experiences they had while at school” (Hede, Russell and Weatherby, 2010). Sport in schools is a forming pathway for students to transition into a professional sport in the future. Tradition plays an important part in the pathway. Traditions are not just created in families they are also created in schools, in particular, school sports. Tradition is greatly built upon the teachers who put in the time and effort (Gates, P. St Mary’s Staff).…
Often times you see athletes performing dominating blocks, making big hits, or making acrobatic catches. However, athletes have much more to offer off their respective playing surfaces that goes unseen. Here at Henderson State University athletes are supposed to epitomize what a college student in Arkadelphia should be. We’re depended upon to be campus leaders to our peers and set examples verbally as well as through our actions. Sometimes we’re seen as intimidating individuals do to our outer appearance but we’re empathetic to others just as others. Our athletic program is set on allowing our athletes to give back to our community and school through participation in various events that occur throughout the calendar year. By providing opportunities for student-athletes to serve, these young men and women make meaningful contributions to society. Teams as well as individual student-athletes are involved in numerous charity and community organizations, schools and hospitals. Some student-athletes have also created, initiated and implemented service projects/activities. One specific event, Reddie to Serve, allows us just this amble opportunity to show our gratitude and appreciation back to the citizens of…
Growing up, children go to school and the majority participate in various sports and activities. It gives students something to look forward to, occupy their time, and become more well rounded individuals. The common theme of being involved in these areas is of course doing it to have fun. That is why so much heart and dedication is put forth in efforts to excel; the love of the select extra curricular activity. However, there are questions about the final end reward and whether participation trophies need to be implemented.…
Richard L. Worsnop offers multiple different points about high school sports and athletes. Concerns about the oppression of young athletes and debating if high school athletics “builds character”, are some of the main issues pointed out. Some coaches believe interscholastic sports competitions teach everything about character and teamwork, while others believe overemphasizing a win can teach the growth of negative character traits. Meanwhile, there are no doubts that certain drugs can enhance an athlete’s performance, but this can lead to injury and other harmful effects. High school athletes are sometimes considered, “dumb jocks”, which leads to the question if student athletes should maintain a certain grade-point average. Some players think…
The article explains the students-athletes motivation towards academics and sports and determines which athletes who are at risk academically. The research was done in a college setting, but the outcome does provide facts and analysis that could allow future studies in the high-school level. Theoretically, the results may be similar in other grade…
Whether it be in the form of a ribbon, medal, or trophy, participation is commonly rewarded within organized sports teams as a way to give children incentive to try sports and engage in physical activities. While these trophies are intended to reward children for their contribution, the praise is undeserved, and will potentially create more harm than good in the future. A participation trophy is a tangible reminder that a child showed up to a game or tournament, but it has no fundamental value besides that. Through participation trophies, children receive the message that their success does not depend on their work ethic or abilities and by merely attending a sporting event, they have accomplished something without needing to put any effort in. Giving children the illusion that they have accomplished something when they have not, sets them up to think that they are entitled to praise or rewards. Granted, the idea of receiving a trophy or medal for participation sounds harmless because it motivates children to be active and participate in sports; however, parents should be mindful that they are potentially setting their kids up for a bad work ethic or mindset in the…
We asked them to select two (2) athletics to play within an organized league. Here the discipline of the game and learning how to cope properly with adult authority added to their overall increase. Never did we force their involvement in any action. We merely supported their efforts with positive comments on their efforts in addition to for their teammates, coaches, and officials. The entire idea is about good health and great enjoyment in sportsmanship!…
As early as the third grade, I remember being involved in sports. Whether it was volleyball, basketball, or dance I have been given the privilege to play on many teams. The life of a young athlete is great, however, it can become very stressful. At all ages an athlete is forced to cope with school, sports, and a social life. Along with all of that, athletes are expected to deal with extra stress and even stricter rules. Over the years I have realized all student-athletes are treated differently and are held to a higher standard. (1)…
Organized sports are an important part of a student’s total education. The values derived from the positive experience of participation in a good athletic program are immeasurable and will carry into other aspects of a student’s life. Values like effort, attitude, honesty, respect and sportsmanship will be taught everyday.…
Devoted school spirits inspire the pep rally. The upper school students gather in an uproar to pump up the team competing. We celebrate not knowing defeat or victory, and always come together…
Nearly 65% of children say they participate in sports to be with their friends (Statistic Brain). Sports were established so that the individual could not only exercise, but also to compete against a rival. Just as there are individual sports, there are team sports in high school. The idea of a team sport is that every single person on the field or court must work in unison to have the greatest opportunity to win. In addition to the increasing popularity of sports, the average child’s age when they join a team is decreasing. For example, the age that a child joins a basketball team has shifted from fourth grade to first grade or even kindergarten in the past decade. School is the primary factor when you review the participation in athletics,…
“Awards can be powerful motivators, but nonstop recognition does not inspire children to succeed. Instead, it can cause them to underachieve.”(Merryman) When kids start to do sports in middle school or high school they will think they get a award for being on the team, might even join the team to just get an award. However, only the kids who are the best and try to get awards, not the kids who have bad attitudes and don’t show up to practice. No one wants their kids to go up to think they get an award for everything they do. They are young and don’t even know what a trophy really…