the student athlete

The student athlete.

According to Wikipedia, a student athlete is a participant in an organized competitive sport sponsored by the educational institution in which he or she is enrolled.

As a high school science teacher, I interact with many student athletes. It has been my experience that the students are more interested in being an athlete than being a student. I see them, day after day, fulfilling their role as students. Many ask "are you coming to our game tonight?" It's an invitation to come watch them be athletes. I admit, I do not watch as many games as I should, but when I do it is truly something special.

When the students step on the gym floor, baseball or softball diamond, I see what a limited view I have of them as athletes when they are in my classroom. Here, they are participating in something they care about, something that matters to them. I see passion. I see heart. I see skill. It's a different side of the students that I see every day. These athletes are going up against another team, giving everything they have so their own team will emerge victorious. They sacrifice their bodies, often bearing bruises and blood as proof. They are challenged to keep their emotions in check when they make a mistake, get a bad call, or get yelled at by a loose lipped fan. I have seen tears that have broken my heart, and I have seen displays of pure excitement that made my heart jump and my smile go from ear to ear.

You know that something special I mentioned earlier? This is it. Although their interactions with me are the mandatory "student" requirement, I hope these students know the admiration and respect I have for them as athletes, and that I am thankful to be a part of their student athlete experience.