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High School Athletics

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High School Athletics
High School Athletics
David Beach
University of Denver

Abstract This study deals with high school athletics and their long-term effect in the lives of those who participate; it also deals with the positive and negative aspects of athletics during high school, and the treatment of those who participate. This study was conducted with qualitative data obtained from five personal interviews with previous high school athletes. These five people come from a range of places, ages, and experience. Conclusions are that participation in high school athletics is a contributor to a better social life and experience during high school. Good friends and influences are obtained through the pursuit of high school athletics. The long-term effects from participation in athletics are generally positive and enjoyable. I also conclude that coaches can have a negative effect on participants of sports during high school. Further evidence could amplify my research by asking the same depth of questions to a larger audience allowing the results of race and gender to be studied further. Further research could also bring out cases of overall negative experience, and negative aspects could then further be examined.

Introduction:
The issue of high school athletics and the role that they play in the lives of student athletes has been a heavily debated topic throughout the last few decades. I myself participated in high school sporting activities, and for me, athletics had a major impact on my life during those four years. This continues to be a relevant topic as extracurricular athletic activities have seen an increase in their popularity and participation in recent years (Howard, 2009). The positive and negative effects that high school athletics have on young adults are a continually heated topic within the population today (Troutman, Dufur, 2007). I believe this is a perfect time to conduct research of my own to help better understand this issue. Anyone currently participating in



References: Curtis, J., McTeer, W., & White, P. (2003). Do High School Athletes Earn More Pay? Youth Sport Participation and Earnings as an Adult. Sociology of Sport Journal, 20(1), 60-76. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Hanks, M. (1979). RACE, SEXUAL STATUS AND ATHLETICS IN THE PROCESS OF EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. Social Science Quarterly (University of Texas Press), 60(3), 482-496. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Hauser, W. J., & Lueptow, L. B. (1978). Participation in Athletics and Academic Achievement: A Replication and Extension. Sociological Quarterly, 19(2), 304-309. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Howard, Bruce. (2009). High School Sports Participation Increases for 20th Consecutive Year, http://www.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=3505. Larson, J. L. (1955). ATHLETICS AND GOOD CITIZENSHIP. Journal of Educational Sociology, 28(6), 257-259. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Phillips, J. C., & Schafer, W. E. (1971). CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATION IN INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS: A Review and Prospectus. Pacific Sociological Review, 14(3), 328-338. Retrieved from EBSCOhost Shields Jr., E Troutman, K. P., & Dufur, M. J. (2007). From High School Jocks to College Grads. Youth & Society, 38(4), 443-462. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

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