Synthesis
High school and college sports undoubtedly enrich a student’s life during their formative adolescent years. From creating irreplaceable relationships with teammates, to forming unforgettable memories, to perhaps winning a championship or two, it seems that the number of positive results that accompany the participation in athletics is infinite. However, there is a much more subtle, yet much more significant effect of being on a team. Playing sports as a young adult undeniably improves the likelihood of being successful in all aspects of life, both during the student’s career as an athlete and in his or her future endeavors. It is likely that the beneficial traits that are gained or refined through a commitment to a high school or …show more content…
I am inclined to say that by joining one of these competitive teams, a student gains a clear advantage when it comes to his or her success in secondary school. A study detailed in a document published by the National Federation of State High School Associations found that high school “[a]thletes earned higher grades, graduated at a higher rate, dropped out of school less frequently, and scored higher on state assessments than did non-athletes.” Is this a mere coincidence, or is it a sign that there is an association between succeeding in high school and playing sports? It is without a doubt the latter of these two possibilities. In order to succeed on these more elite teams, a student must develop a variety of characteristics. It is essential that an athlete has the motivation to succeed, the ambition to always want to improve, outstanding mental clarity, the ability to innovate, and a knack for juggling competing responsibilities (I’m looking at you family commitments, hours spent bagging at a grocery store, and never ending school work). A list of valuable traits that an athlete probably has could simply extend forever. But these very characteristics that aid an athlete en route to …show more content…
According to a study cited in an article by Michael Casey, “[p]articipation in competitive youth sports ‘spills over’ to occupationally advantageous traits that persist across a person’s life.” It is precisely this “spilling over” of beneficial characteristics that gives former athletes a leg up when it comes time to seek a career. The skill set gained through doing a sport in high school or college is not suddenly lost when the diplomas are handed out and the caps are thrown in the air. No. The motivation, the dedication, the tendency to accept challenges eagerly- it all stays with the former athlete, even well into later life. Michael Casey proved this in his article by detailing a study which found that after more than fifty years, “[p]eople who played high school sports…still seemed to demonstrate this persistent profile of more leadership, self-respect, [and] self-confidence than people who were not part of high school sports.” The everlasting effect that a past in sports has on one’s character is quite appealing to a multitude of employers. After all, there are striking similarities between a sports team and a workplace. Coworkers are nothing more than teammates, and the coach is the boss or manager. Together, the workers and the boss all cooperate to reach one common goal. So, shouldn’t the skills that brought
High school and college sports undoubtedly enrich a student’s life during their formative adolescent years. From creating irreplaceable relationships with teammates, to forming unforgettable memories, to perhaps winning a championship or two, it seems that the number of positive results that accompany the participation in athletics is infinite. However, there is a much more subtle, yet much more significant effect of being on a team. Playing sports as a young adult undeniably improves the likelihood of being successful in all aspects of life, both during the student’s career as an athlete and in his or her future endeavors. It is likely that the beneficial traits that are gained or refined through a commitment to a high school or …show more content…
I am inclined to say that by joining one of these competitive teams, a student gains a clear advantage when it comes to his or her success in secondary school. A study detailed in a document published by the National Federation of State High School Associations found that high school “[a]thletes earned higher grades, graduated at a higher rate, dropped out of school less frequently, and scored higher on state assessments than did non-athletes.” Is this a mere coincidence, or is it a sign that there is an association between succeeding in high school and playing sports? It is without a doubt the latter of these two possibilities. In order to succeed on these more elite teams, a student must develop a variety of characteristics. It is essential that an athlete has the motivation to succeed, the ambition to always want to improve, outstanding mental clarity, the ability to innovate, and a knack for juggling competing responsibilities (I’m looking at you family commitments, hours spent bagging at a grocery store, and never ending school work). A list of valuable traits that an athlete probably has could simply extend forever. But these very characteristics that aid an athlete en route to …show more content…
According to a study cited in an article by Michael Casey, “[p]articipation in competitive youth sports ‘spills over’ to occupationally advantageous traits that persist across a person’s life.” It is precisely this “spilling over” of beneficial characteristics that gives former athletes a leg up when it comes time to seek a career. The skill set gained through doing a sport in high school or college is not suddenly lost when the diplomas are handed out and the caps are thrown in the air. No. The motivation, the dedication, the tendency to accept challenges eagerly- it all stays with the former athlete, even well into later life. Michael Casey proved this in his article by detailing a study which found that after more than fifty years, “[p]eople who played high school sports…still seemed to demonstrate this persistent profile of more leadership, self-respect, [and] self-confidence than people who were not part of high school sports.” The everlasting effect that a past in sports has on one’s character is quite appealing to a multitude of employers. After all, there are striking similarities between a sports team and a workplace. Coworkers are nothing more than teammates, and the coach is the boss or manager. Together, the workers and the boss all cooperate to reach one common goal. So, shouldn’t the skills that brought