Student Athlete Potential Essay

Behind every teacher is a student, behind every coach is an athlete, and behind every student-athlete is potential. One might believe that there are two sides to what is deemed student-athlete potential; a negative side that may lead to struggling academically and a positive side that increases academic achievements. As stated in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, (n.d. para. 1) potential is defined as, “Existing in possibility; capable of development into actuality.” It can be concluded that potential equals what is conceivable. It is of the belief that these two sides being considered as student-athlete potential, is significant due to the amount of student athletes that face these so-called potentials. According to the National Federation of State High Schools Association (2016), the level of high school students participating in athletics climbed higher than it has ever been, at 7.8 million (NFHS, 2016). In addition, to the
Ratey and Hagerman (2008) also cited information from another study, “In 2004 a panel of thirteen noted researchers in fields ranging from kinesiology to pediatrics conducted a massive review of more than 850 studies about the effects of physical activity on school-age children” that arrived at the same conclusion (Ratey & Hagerman, 2008, A New Stereotype: The Smart Jock section, para. 9). This particular study looked at various physical activity durations against a variety of potential adolescent situations with the biggest emphasis being placed upon grades (Ratey & Hagerman, 2008). Ratey & Hagerman (2008) found that these studies concluded there was a positive correlation between athletics and academics (Ratey & Hagerman,