High School Athletics: Much More than Wins and Losses

As those of us who are part of a team in our professions understand, not every day leads to our intended and desired outcome. As teens, learning that they may not always get their way within their team setting is a tremendous learning lesson in their growth as future members of a college or university, as members of the workforce, or as a husband or wife. In athletics, not every game will end in a win. Not every official will award a team with a call that could influence the overall result of a game. However, learning to work with teammates to persevere to reach a common goal is a tremendous life skill that can only be cultivated through team sports.      

While sorting through various articles this summer as I prepared for the upcoming school year, I found an article (link found here) published by the USOC. Rick Echevarria, Intel’s Vice-President and General Manager of the company’s Olympic Program, outlined a few areas business owners and managers look for when recruiting new employees. Among those were energy, skill set, discipline, and ability to perform under pressure. Echevarria said, “You’re going to be in the workplace for a long time, and you want to make sure you don’t forget what got you to be a high-performing individual. It’s going to carry you through your whole career.” 

As a coach, I incorporate these into our practices daily so the student-athletes we work with can be prepared for competition. Reading this article helped remind me to find more ways to build these skills just as much as we’re trying to improve our ability to score a point on the volleyball court. Every competition brings at least one moment for a coach in which a player applies something they have been working on in practice, and when it works, you’ll see coaches celebrate the accomplishment. I find great pride when a student-athlete facilitates conversation (without a parent's leadership) between another teammate, a coach, or a teacher because I know that skill will take them much further than their ability to serve an ace. According to a report from researchers at the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University, “Kids who participate in organized sports do better in school, have better interpersonal skills, are more oriented, and are generally healthier.”  

In an era where finding time in between the many daily obligations each of us must manage is difficult, often our physical fitness is the first area to suffer. As high school students, athletics offer a great outlet for physical activity during periods of high academic stress and a shortage of available time in the day. With all the devices at the fingertips of our youth, physical activity at times falls behind the priority of getting a new high score on their video game, views on TikTok, or binge-watching a new series on a streaming service. High school sports offer a valuable opportunity to combat the lure of devices and help students maintain a high physical fitness level. 

During their formative years, a teenager’s body experiences tremendous physical growth physically. The regular movement in practice helps student-athletes to learn how their body works. Teens also have hormones that are in a constant state of flux. Regular physical activity in sports allows the body to produce “positive” hormones such as endorphins and adrenaline, leading to more stable moods, happiness, and a sense of achievement, with fewer feelings of depression or sadness. 

Whether a student-athlete is running in the last-second touchdown for a big league win or running a cross-country meet, physical activity positively impacts their overall growth as healthy people.  

Whether it be Bishop Diego or any other rigorous college prep institution, student-athletes are challenged to balance academics with their commitment to athletics. Often our student-athletes balance multiple AP and college prep level courses with their practices, competitions, and outside activities dedicated to polishing their athletic craft. Unlike most other extracurricular opportunities, athletics offers a great opportunity to challenge student-athletes by requiring time management skills. 

When our student-athletes graduate from Bishop Diego and walk on a college campus, they must be prepared to manage their time wisely. The first semester of college is critical to instill good study habits and management skills. Some students may take more courses to complete general education requirements earlier, while others may take a slower approach and hold a part-time job. By participating in athletics as a high school student, our student-athletes learn how to manage multiple commitments while meeting expectations for each.  

As Bishop Diego coaches, we have a unique opportunity to positively impact our student-athletes' development. Regardless of the competitive outcome, student-athletes are exposed to the challenges of team sports on and off the field, shaping them to be better prepared for life's challenges. As leaders, we are so fortunate to have that opportunity, and the student athlete’s success in life far outweighs our competitive wins and losses.