Athletes Making Good Choices

In high schools all across the United States drugs and alcohol are a continuous problem. While students are taught time and time again in health classes that substanes can harm, most disregard this advice as they are willing to take that risk. What students who participate in such harmful behaviors don't realize however, is that these actions can have a harmful effect on others; specifically for those athletes who participate on a sports team.

Interscholastic league handbook contracts are signed by every athlete before they start a season, yet people brush off this contract as if it's an annoying gnat buzzing by your ear. Nobody wants to have a constant reminder to be responsible ringing in their head, so most student athletes simply brush them off like it doesn't matter.

The rules say you can't play another sport at the same time, but hundreds of kids do that with no repercussions. The rules say you can't leave school and still participate in a practice or game, yet kids come or go as they please. The rules say that underage drinking will result in suspension from the team, yet kids go out and party every weekend.

What athletes need to realize is that people do get caught, and people do get punished. What happens if you get caught drinking at a party the week before playoffs? Bam, just like that you can't play in the big game. It's not just about you getting hurt anymore, it's about something a whole lot bigger than you; it's about your team. You're a part of that team, and if your team loses that big game while you are not to play, you are just as much responsible for the loss as everyone else.

Perhaps you find this scenario unlikely, and maybe it is, but there a plenty of everyday situations where your teammates are affected by your decisions. Most athletes cringe at the thought of Saturday morning practices. Not only is it usually at an ungodly early hour, but it also tends to be a big conditioning day as games are on the weekdays. Hard practices are the ones where your team needs you to be at your best the most. They need you to make that last foul shot to end practice, to score that goal when you are dead tired, to follow instructions correctly to avoid punishment. But what happens when you went out partying the night before and show up that morning with a raging hangover? Are you going to sink that big shot? Are you going to survive those long sprints?

I can guarantee you will regret the good time you had last night, and your teammates who came ready to play will feel betrayed by your actions. When you are on a team, you become more important than you were before. People depend on you, you can choose to have their back, or let them down. It's important that student athletes consider the harmful outcomes their decisions could have on not just themselves, but on their teammates.