One of the biggest challenges for student athletes is balancing academics and sports. At Madison, a majority of students participate in at least one sport for the school or are involved in an after school commitment.
These activities require athletes to practice for multiple hours each day, often every day of the week. The students play for multiple seasons throughout four years of their high school career. This can lead to higher concentration and better time management, but it can also damage these students’ educations. Student athletes must maintain balance to ensure enough time for sports and work for school.
According to the National Academy of Athletics, studies showed that students who played a sport paid greater attention in class and displayed better time management.
Gigi Leone (’29), who has been playing basketball since kindergarten, recently made varsity for this season. The varsity basketball team practices six days a week, and practices last for two hours.
“I think I balance school and sports pretty well,.” Leone said. “I think sports help me manage my time better. Instead of procrastinating doing my work until the last minute, I’m kind of forced to do it, which is nice.”
She also said she gets around seven to eight hours of sleep per night, and that doing her homework usually takes 30 minutes to an hour per day. This is the same for Addy Sitta (’29).
Sitta has been swimming since she was five years old. The sport helps keep her active and motivated throughout the school year, with soccer being her main sport.
The swim team has practice on Mondays through Thursday each week. However, athletes are only required to attend one day per week. Coming to multiple practices is highly encouraged, but not mandatory as the swim team practices at Oakmont Rec Center in Oakton every day. For students like Addy who cannot drive, getting to practice after school can take up time and be inconvenient.
“I find it difficult to have practice every day since it leaves me a small amount of time to actually study and do my work when I get home,” Sitta said.
Although winter sports are popular, many fall athletes do not do a sport in the off season, like Leena Draude (’29). She was on the JV field hockey team for their fall season. She has been playing since she was in 3rd grade and said she felt satisfied to make JV.
Typically, the field hockey team would practice every day except Fridays, with each practice being two and a half hours.
“When I played field hockey, I would get home at 5:30, shower and eat, and then do homework until around 11 p.m. and wake up at 6:45 a.m.,” Draude said. “Now that I don’t play a sport, I can get my work done quicker.”
Overall, being a student athlete has pros and cons. It impacts multiple aspects of students’ lives.
“Even though it can be challenging, I don’t regret doing sports,” Sitta said.
