Regular Season Nov 21, 2009
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What is one of the greatest challenges facing high school athletes today and how can they overcome it?
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Jim Pappas
Cedar Ridge High School/Athletic Director |
 | Specialization: I may be old school, so to speak, but I believe high school should be the best time of your life. Today there are influences out there that are telling kids that if you don't commit year round to your sport, you won't have a chance to get a scholarship. It is my belief that we should be working together as coaches and give these young people the chance to play different sports and let the chips fall as they may. Let's bring back the two/three-sport athletes to our schools! |
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Brian Schneidewind
Millbrook High School/Cross Country Head Coach |
 | Without question the biggest challenge high school athletes face today is keeping a healthy perspective on sports. You want athletes to learn how to be dedicated to something and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that comes with it. Sports are also a great way to meet new people and make lasting friendships. Too often adults try to make sports a job where teenagers are asked to spend countless hours and thousands of dollars on travel and personal coaches all in hope of getting a $2,000 scholarship to a $30,000 a year school. My advise to high school athletes is to work hard, but enjoy the experience and don't get caught up in the hype of college scholarships. |
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Cynthia Terrell
Wakefield High School/Volleyball Head Coach |
 | Today's high school athletes' challenges are multi-faceted. They could be confronted with anything that hinders or helps their progress for a successful athletic career such as: too much or too little parental involvement; specializing too early in a particular sport; unrealistic or overzealous expectations;
Philosophical differences and goals of "athletic programs or organizations" outside of high school; paying to play; being illegally recruited; holding onto their integrity; inequalities concerning non-revenue producing athletic programs. There is a lot of pressure for them to do well on the court or the field, and to juggle and balance their athletic pursuits, school, family, friends, and their life in general. The best way to overcome these aspects is for them to have the positive support of those who genuinely care about their welfare. |
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Paul Dinkenor
Leesville Rd High School/ Women's Soccer Head Coach |
 | Living up to unrealistic expectations placed upon them by people who do not see the total portfolio of the student athlete. Many 'select' or classic coaches are guilty of this. I would like to think that we as high school coaches have a much fuller picture of our charges. |
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