Basketballs, hockey sticks, skates, running shoes, fencing sticks, chlorine pools, and gym floors were all getting ready to be used. Around Thanksgiving, students from all sports started their journey into the season, hopefully starting with a win. These student-athletes will be balancing school while practicing 5-6 times a week. Many of these student athletes have goals to achieve a county championship or league championship, and some to play in college. Wayne Valley has a very rich history in sporting achievements, and hopefully, more to come in the future. We can’t wait to see what the teams can accomplish this season!
The student in student-athlete is something that Wayne Valley takes seriously. “We want success for all of the teams, and we want the students to grow as student athletes and have a good experience,” said Mr. Jason Carcich (Head of Athletics at Wayne Valley High School). Being a student athlete comes with balancing homework, practices, and schoolwork, which can be challenging, getting home late, and staying up to study or do homework. Many students participate in sports for the fun of it or because they like it, but some just play because they want to stay active.
Participation in school-sponsored athletics “…is associated with a 2 percent increase in math and science test scores. School-sponsored club participation is associated with a 1 percent increase in math test scores, and involvement in either in sports or clubs is associated with a 5 percent increase in Bachelor’s degree attainment expectations”, according to an investigation of National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS) data. Playing sports can actually improve your grades, rather than harming them. During your sports season, although you may feel rushed from one thing to the next and you’re now doing your homework on the way home from your game instead of at home, you are teaching yourself important life skills, such as multitasking and organization something which you will need.
Wayne Valley offers a variety of winter sports, including basketball for both boys and girls, fencing, swimming, competition cheer, dance, ice hockey, indoor track and field, and wrestling. Each winter sport offers something unique, and many athletes appreciate the team culture and bonding events that take place throughout the season, like pasta parties. The coaches here take pride in what they do and it’s such a great environment to be in. The other day, during the Passaic County Coaches Association meeting, one of our own, Todd Schroder, the wrestling coach, was awarded coach of the year, which is an amazing accomplishment.
In the end, sports continue to play an important role at our school. Allowing students to stay active, build skills, and be part of a team during the colder months. Not only is it a great way to stay active. But it also gives students better opportunities to grow skills in time management and to get better grades. If you’re on the fence about whether you should play a sport at all, no matter the season, just know all the benefits that come along with it.
