The Benefits of Combining Athletics and Academics

Three years ago, the baseball team at my child’s school was without a coach. As a lifetime baseball player, this was heartbreaking. So, I took the leap and coached the team. In our first season, we went undefeated in the regular season and lost in the Championship game. It was a fantastic experience for the team and brought the school together.

The accomplishments on the field were great, but the accomplishments off the field were even more amazing. There was a clear transformation in the boys and their school behavior. It was clear that having a solid baseball program was positive for the players and had an impact on the school.

As a youth sports coach for the last 10 years, coaching both at the school and club levels, I believe we have been doing youth sports wrong. The deemphasis on school sports in lieu of club teams are a major problem. This is the main reason for Academy 48, a way to bring school sports back to the mainstream.

Over the last few years, here are a few of the benefits of combining athletics and academics into a school.

Boosted Academic Performance

Going into my first season as the Middle School Baseball Coach, the vice principal warned me about the work that needed to be done with grades. There were more D’s and F’s than A’s and B’s.

After tryouts, it was made clear that grades come before playing. Grades were more important than practice and games. The boys took note and got to work. There was even a practice when our starting pitcher was on the warning list and the entire team took note and helped him get his grades up. It was a team effort.

When the boys had something to play for, there was more work, focused work, and everything was turned in on time. This is something that does not happen in the pay-to-play world of club sports. If Johnny or Sally are failing, most parents allow their kids to keep playing because of the financial investment into the season.

School sports boost academic performance.

Stronger Sense of Community

I remember showing up to our first championship game. I was sitting in the dugout preparing my lineup and the vice principal and athletic director approached me.

“Great work this season, the boys are playing amazing, and the school is buzzing with excitement.” He continued, “We have a bus of students that wanted to come and watch the game. There are about 50 students coming to watch the game.”

Well, it was more than that. The stadium was packed and there was only standing room. The school community showed up in support of the team.

The sense of community and support for the players was amazing. The school was buzzing all day about a baseball game and the players’ accomplishments.

School sports build community.

Enhanced Time Management Skills

The other day I was walking up to practice, and I saw my players at a table working on their homework. They were at recess taking advantage of the time they had knowing they would not get much time to work on their schoolwork.

I was proud of these boys because they were learning how to manage their time. They had learned that they have a limited amount of time in the day.

Here is a huge issue that many parents live with today.

Their player gets home from school, has an hour of homework, they need to eat dinner, and practice starts at six. The student-athlete is tired from the day and does not want to finish that homework. It is a struggle to get it all accomplished.

We know that balancing academics and athletics takes mastering organization and prioritization because there is only so much time in the day. Our goal is to help our student-athletes learn these skills that will translate even when they stop playing.

We know that juggling sports and academics is difficult for most families. Our hope is our approach helps our student-athletes learn how to manage time and perform at the highest levels.

Character Development

Over the last 20 years, I have pointed to sports as the reason for all my success. I have pointed to the lessons I learned on the diamond as the reason why I can move on from failure.

We know that if taught the right way, sports can bring out the best in athletes. We know that athletes learn to work hard, overcome obstacles, become good teammates, and so many other valuable life skills.

Combining athletics and academics we are able to include character development into every section of the day. We know that our student-athletes will learn more about how to become leaders in the real world because the valuable life lessons integrated into

Character development is at the core of Academy 48.

Improved Physical and Mental Health

Mental health is a major issue in America. We have seen more and more kids affected by poor mental health for many reasons.

Studies show that sports improve cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility. Studies also show how being part of a team and a positive environment will boost mental health. In the world we live in, this is very important.

By building physical activity into the day, our student-athletes not only have better physical health but also improved mental health throughout the school year. It is important to help students with their mental health to become successful in the classroom.

Cost-Effective Alternative to Club Sports

I have 2 children who play club or travel sports. I coach for well-known club teams. While I understand there is a cost involved in the tournaments, renting facilities, uniforms, and paying coaches, it is a bit out of control.

Here is our thought and one of the main driving forces behind Academy 48. When you combine athletics with academics, you get all the benefits of school sports, this includes the ability to run athletic programs for a fraction of the out-of-pocket cost to the parents and athletes.

More importantly, this provides an opportunity for more athletes to share the benefits of club sports and high-level athletic training. This increases inclusion for those who might not be able to afford the pay-to-play model club and travel teams have built.

Academy 48 is leading the path to eliminate the pay-to-play youth sports model that is dominating American youth sports.

Increase Participation

As a pay-to-play coach, there is a big issue that we face. Showing up to practice. I see two sides of the argument.

Point one, all players need to be at practice every day. When you do not show up to practice you are letting your team down. If you do not understand the rotations, the plays, or the formation you will be hurting your team.

Point two, families have multiple things they need to juggle. School plays, sibling games, family functions, the list goes on. If the parents are paying the bill, it should not matter when or how often they show up. They are paying for the “service”.

This is a huge issue in the pay-to-play youth sports environment and both sides are valid.

Integrating athletics into the academic day eliminates point two. Now, things come up and that is okay. However, integrating practice within the academic day helps eliminate the “no show” in the pay-to-play environment. Our goal is to give an alternative to pay-to-play sports.

Finding Facilities

Here in Arizona, there is a huge issue. Finding facilities for practice. I know that this is also an issue in other states as well.

I believe that the issue is because we are trying to overuse the facilities at certain times of the day, or night because of the times coaches, parents, and players are available.

The solution to some of these issues is having practice during the academic day. Combining athletics and academics provides student-athletes access to practice facilities at off-peak times. This gives student-athletes and teams access to practice and train without over-committing field space.

Finding practice facilities is not hard when looking for them at off-peak hours.

Academic Curriculum for Athletes

Growing up, I never wanted to play an instrument or sing. While I understand that trying new things is important, I wasted hours every week learning to play the trumpet. Nothing against musicians, I live music, but it was just never in my cards.

I also know that becoming a top-tier athlete takes more than just practice. It takes an understanding of nutrition, biomechanics, and so much more. Combining athletics and academics, you are able to teach your athletes about topics they will enjoy.

When you combine academics and athletics, the athletes will be more involved in the coursework. Furthermore, if you hire athletes to teach, you can relate more with the student-athletes.

Benefits of Combining Athletics and Academics

“I want to join your school.” – Marli (14U Club Soccer Player)

“Why do I need to learn to sing in the choir? I want to play baseball.” – Ben (11U Baseball Player)

There are plenty of schools that cater to the arts, higher-level academics, or technology. These are great. There are also thousands of students that go to traditional schools that are bored and overworked because sports are their thing. They go from school, and homework, to practice. This gets them to bed late, decreases family time, and costs the parents an arm and a leg.

As a former athlete, I know there are countless benefits to combining athletics and academics. Academy 48 is the only Charter School that combines club-level athletics with academics.