There are some obvious perks about playing sports in high school. After a great game Friday night, your status in the school halls can skyrocket you to superstar status by Monday morning. You occasionally get to miss that dreadful last period class to go across town to beat up on your opponent. And last but certainly not least, thanks to all of those push-ups, crunches, and laps around the track, you’ve got a figure that’s out of this world and you’re always ready for beach season. These are just some of the benefits that come with being an athlete, but did you know that psychologists, doctors, and tons of other smarty pants have actually gotten together to figure out just…
We all know that it is illegal to drink alcohol if you’re under 21 years of age, but studies show that over 75% of teens have tried it at least once. Hollywood glams up drinking and makes it seem like a cool thing to do, but have you ever stopped to think about the short and long term affects underage drinking could have on you ? Let’s start at the very beginning…do you really know what alcohol is? It’s not just some fizzy drink in a fancy cup. Alcohol is a depressant – something that slows down your central nervous system. Think of it this way: Your brain is the boss and it tells your body what to do. Alcohol…
So you remember this past summer when a little thing called The World Cup captivated the nation? Well apparently we just can’t get enough of the U.S. women’s soccer team. The beloved goalkeeper (she wears the number 1…how befitting right?) has joined the newest group of celebrities on the hit show “Dancing with the Stars.” Instead of kicking around soccer balls, Hope will be waltzing and twirling on the dance floor as she competes for the coveted trophy. What does this have to do with high school sports in Louisiana you ask? Well here’s the point – don’t be afraid to try something new! You’ve proven that you’re a skilled athlete, but how about stepping out of your comfort zone…
Student-athletes are busy people. A typical day usually starts with a glass of OJ then it’s off to school from sun up to sun down, then practice, then homework, squeeze in dinner, a little American Idol, studying for that biology quiz, walk the dog, shower (if there’s time), and bed time. This doesn’t include phone chats with Granny and Grandpa and responding to that endless flood of texts and e-mails from your bffs. We get it – you’ve got a crazy life, but if we could have your attention for just five minutes, we’d greatly appreciate it. Time management is crucial when you’re a student-athlete. You have to remember that you are a student first and an athlete second. Your…
Why does anyone care about high school athletics? What is it about competition that gets people so fired up? The answer to these questions may sound different from person to person, but we believe at the core of high school athletics, is fun and a desire to belong. Athletic events bring families and communities together. Being a part of a team, teaches life lessons in teamwork, time management, leadership and respect. Sometimes competition takes an ugly turn and people scream profanities at each other, cheat or even physically fight one another. Why does this happen? Does this really help move you or the team forward? When we lose sight of our values and the real reason for our participation in…
Do you ever stop to think about the effect your words and actions have on others? The old saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” never really sat well with me, because word DO hurt, and an emotional wound does not heal as easily as a physical one. Our words can live in the hearts and minds of a person forever. Words have the ability to inspire, motivate, influence, damage, discourage or even depress someone. What is the payoff in being a bully? Does it really feel good to put someone else down? Wouldn’t it feel better to build someone up, and be their buddy, instead of causing them to feel less valuable…
Hey Class of 2012! Do you remember your freshman year when you had big dreams of making the varsity squad? Oh, how quickly high school days pass us by. Well, graduation will be here before you know it which means college is just around the corner. Have any ideas on how you’re going to pay for that fancy degree? A lot of high school student-athletes hope to play sports in college and while that may help cover some of the costs, it might not cover all of your tuition and fees. Depending on where you chose to go to school, you might need a little extra cash. So, we’ve put our heads together and did a few Google searches and…
It’s preseason time here in Louisiana, but Mother Nature must have missed the memo! With temperatures steadily in the triple digits and afternoon thunderstorms, fall athletes are not only gearing up to face their rivals, they are also fighting the weather. According to a recent study, deaths of high school athletes due to extreme weather have been on the rise for the past few years. We love our sports, but we love our student-athletes even more! Here are some warning signs that can help keep you healthy and safe so you can keep scoring big on and off the field! ALLERGIES: Some athletes are allergic to the great outdoors! The most common allergy triggers for athletes in Louisiana are…
