Editor’s note: Ryan Maloney teaches Senior English at Winnebago High School. As a part of his students’ final essay, they were required to write persuasive letters to a specific audience. Here are three letters Maloney shared with the Rockford Register Star.
Academics vs. athletics
In today’s society, many mistakenly believe that academics and athletics are mutually exclusive – that athletics take precious time away from the classroom. However, an emphasis on athletic success can increase academic success by increasing college graduation rates, improving GPAs and creating social unity.
Because of their support, student athletes are more likely to graduate college with a degree. According to the NCAA, approximately 80 percent of Division I athletes graduate from college, as opposed to 63 percent of non-athletes. Unlike other students, student-athletes are surrounded by the support of their coaches and teammates — inside and outside of the classroom.
Athletic success also encourages academic success. Sociologist Jay Greene examined the issue in high schools in Ohio that prioritize athletic success. He calculated a 10 percentage point increase in overall winning percentage is associated with a 0.25 percentage point increase in the number of students at or above academic proficiency. Students who tend to care more about their athletics have a natural tendency to be ambitious and driven, on and off the court.
Athletics also unite communities. After researching remarkably low dropout rates at private schools, sociologist James Coleman concluded that private school success “was not the result of greater curricular demands or anything else within the school, but a different relation of the school to the parental community.” The weekly gatherings for religious services facilitate increases in social capital. Coleman believes that school-sponsored sporting events can provide a secularized equivalent to gatherings. A Friday night football game, for instance, is an event in which parents gather, allowing them to share information and improve the performance of their kids and their school.
Athletics and academics do not have to be mutually exclusive. It’s time to set aside blind stereotypes about dumb jocks and uncharismatic nerds. By putting an emphasis on athletic success, schools can foster growth beyond the confines of the classroom.
— Sean Ward