The “Why” of High School Athletics and Activities Programs

Have you ever thought about why athletics and other activity programs exist within schools in the United States? It’s always been that way so perhaps people take it for granted. Aren’t these types of education-based programs in schools everywhere?

Actually, along with our neighbors to the north in Canada, the United States is one of the few countries in the world that incorporates athletics and other activities within the school setting. Throughout the rest of the word, students attend schools for academics and participate in sports on clubs, travel teams or through private coaches.

Various surveys through the years would indicate that the United States has it right. Why? Because connecting athletics – and activities such as speech, debate, music and theatre – to the academic curriculum as a part of the school day completes the educational process. While activity programs are sometimes referred to as extracurricular, they are, in fact, an extension of the classroom and are the “Other Half of Education.”

“Athletics are integral to the American education system because they have educational value,” said Dr. David Hoch, a former longtime high school coach and athletic director and current member of the High School Today Publications Committee, in a previous HST article. “By participating in athletics, young people have the opportunity to learn, grow and develop just as they do in the classroom – and the principle is essential to our approach.”

Through athletics and performing arts, students learn essential life skills such as teamwork, self-discipline, self-confidence, hard work and fair play. These programs promote physical and mental wellness and positive self-image. And surveys have shown that students who participate in educational activities have higher grade-point averages, better attendance records, lower dropout rates and fewer discipline problems.

The real why for students, however, and the No. 1 reason they play sports – within the school setting – is to have fun, engage in exercise and spend meaningful time with their friends, according to a study by the Aspen Institute. Interestingly, a survey more than 30 years ago by the American Footwear Association revealed the same findings, and that study showed lack of fun was the leading reason for dropping out of sports.

A number of years ago, the NFHS conducted a national campaign entitled “#MyReasonWhy” to determine why students participate in school-based athletics and performing arts and to strengthen support for these programs across the country.

The NFHS wanted to know what drives student-athletes on the cross country team to get out of bed at 5 a.m. to run five miles before school, or what drives a student to stay home on the weekend to finish homework in order to attend a choir performance during the week.

Most of the students’ responses were similar to the aforementioned Aspen Institute’s report; here’s a sampling of the thousands of replies received through that survey: “I participate on my high school swim team because of my 35 best friends motivating me and pushing me to do my best every day.”

“I participate on my high school team because they’re more than just my team, they’re my family and I don’t know where I’d be today without them.”

“In a large school system, student-athletes have the ability to meet and become friends with more students through extracurricular programs. In addition, school programs can increase school spirit and help students stay plugged into their school and community.”

“When I get the nervous jitters before a performance, I’m reminded that I will never have to take the stage alone, and that being proud of a performance is so much sweeter when you can celebrate it with your friends.”

“I think the reason I play three different sports in high school is it was a great way to meet new people, and I enjoy being a part of the family that is built when you play a team sport.”

The why of high school athletics and other activities is not just about students, however. Many coaches and administrators have remained at the high school level throughout their careers because of the educational experiences of these programs – including the current CEO of the NFHS, Dr. Karissa Niehoff. During that same #MyReasonWhy campaign a number of years ago when Dr. Niehoff was executive director of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC), she offered the following comments: “

. . . Athletics and activities can promote development of a strong sense of morality and an appreciation of diversity. They help to grow the five “C’s”—competence, confidence, connections, character and caring. Apart from the research, I think that athletics, arts and activities are arguably the greatest agents for social change. They can engage an individual who might otherwise slip through the cracks; they can unite a team, school or community; and they can be national and international catalysts for conversation, collaboration and celebration. To enjoy a career in athletics and activities is truly the greatest privilege.”

Dr. Steve Amaro, CMAA, principal of Freedom High School in Oakley, California, and a member of the High School Today Publications Committee, offered his “why” about a career in education-based activities:

“Careers in education are tremendously rewarding. When we work with students, we get a glimpse of the future and provide leadership for the next generation. Academic classrooms may give skills to students to navigate the world around us, but athletics give students passion.”

Beyond the why for student-athletes and administrators, schools and communities have reasons to rejoice about education- based sports and performing arts as well.

In many schools across the country, sports, in particular, are the reason students show up each day. If it wasn’t for the opportunity to be a part of a school sports team, some students would wander aimlessly into other pursuits with negative outcomes. However, by becoming involved in sports and other activities, academics become more of a priority and grades rise.

A study by the Kansas State High School Activities Association a number of years ago indicated that of the 2,016 students who had dropped out of school, 94 percent were not involved in sports. Activity programs provide students an incentive to succeed, and many other studies over the years have produced the same findings.

Another study indicated that students’ involvement in sports and other activity programs led to a better school climate. A 2014 survey by Varsity Spirit of more than 1,000 high school athletes, parents and principals reported better academic achievement, greater civic engagement and a stronger feeling of connection to their school.

And where would communities all across the country be without high school sports and performing arts? Football stadiums full on Friday nights, basketball gyms with fans on a winter night, community parents filling an auditorium for concerts throughout the year.

More than three years ago when the pandemic hit, students, coaches, administrators, parents and others truly understood the impact of high school sports and other activities when these programs were suddenly taken away. Fortunately, high school activities are flourishing again and continue to be the glue that connects many students to their schools.