university of Texas football |
Tish & The mizzbehavin' band |
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student athletes grow in strength and mind in scholastic sportsIt’s not just the basketball on the court, the football on the field or the puck on the ice that makes scholastic athletics important to how Del Valle High School’s student athletes function. High school sports, especially in the state of Texas, mean an entire lifestyle for the student body. The athletes, the teachers, the community and even the families involved are all a part of something much bigger.
“Sports bring the community together,” Chasity Gonzales, Senior Basketball Player at Del Valle High School said. “All the students that don’t play go out and support the ones playing while having a good time at the game and showing school spirit.” In the fall, football is more than the boys on the field playing viciously for their victory. The cheerleaders and the band are alongside them keeping the crowd and the players rallied up. Family members and the student body hoist signs up supporting individual team members. Coaches yell angrily, swearing and tossing their arms about demanding 110%. High school sports are a group effort. “High school sports impact [in a] positive way by bringing different parts of the community together to support one cause,” Brian Alves, Freshman football and basketball coach for Del Valle High School said. “Sports bring the student community together by giving them an outlet to support their classmates that isn’t in the classroom. This is easier for them to do [in] a less restrictive environment.” But the sports move beyond just bringing the community together. Students are required to keep their grades up to continue playing due to a no pass, no play policy and coaches and teachers keep on top of student athletes to make sure their work is getting done. “Athletics are a big time commitment,” Bill Bunte, Del Valle High School’s golf coach said. “You have to manage your time wisely and it requires you to make good choices. In order to play, you can’t be failing any classes, therefore you have to be productive in order to get all your assignments done and turned in on time. Sports stress the positive effects of participation in learning the important life skills of goal setting and time management combined with enjoyment.” The objective of scholastic sports, just like any elective or core course in high school is to continue teaching students about the subject but also how to be a better person and how to function in the world after high school. “I don’t think there is a better tool for getting students ready for the real world than sports,” Charles Burton, head football coach said. “Sports will take you through ups and downs, test your willingness to follow something through, and give you plenty of opportunities to get up after failing. As adults, we know these are needed to be successful in the real world, and sports are an excellent way to teach our future how to succeed when things aren’t going your way.” In the end, high school sports, especially in Title I schools similar to Del Valle, are an evolution for students. In areas where money is tight and families are often struggling, extracurriculars are students’ ways of escaping. Sports allow for the physical, mental and emotional release that these south Austin kids need. “Sports and other extracurricular activities do better than academic classes in teaching leadership, teamwork, time management and other skills crucial for success in the workplace,” Bunte said. “Kids have a need to be needed and to be a part of something positive, to be involved with their peers and coaches who care. Many students involved in sports do not have a support system at home – their high school teammates and coaches are their lifeblood. I love being a huge part in developing the foundation of young lives.” |