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Athletics vs. Academics
"Unfortunately, I spend way more time at track practice than I do focusing on my studies."
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By Omari Williams
Athletes have always been more admired than aspiring intellectuals. The Olympics are a good example. They challenge nations around the world to produce a person with superior physical ability – not mental. Athletes are paid more than lawyers and even doctors. What message is this sending? Is it more important to entertain than to save a life?
I am conflicted, because I play sports and I do academic extracurricular activities. Unfortunately, I spend way more time at track practice than I do focusing on my studies. It really should be the other way around. For me, the obvious choice is to focus on my classes and stay active on the debate team because I want to be a lawyer. That’s why I don’t think I’ll be involved in a sport next year. I probably wouldn’t make it on a professional sports team anyway.
I know some students hope playing sports will help pay for college. And although some students do get athletic scholarships, I am more likely to get one for academics. My advice to students is to join community organizations that provide the same sports offered at school, but have a more flexible schedule. And if your grades aren’t good, quitting sports isn’t a bad idea.
- Youth Radio Atlanta is produced in cooperation with WABE and funded in part by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.
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