Sports are one of the most beneficial activities for a student in high school. But, many are stripped from this opportunity, as some schools around the country do not offer them, like mine. In some cases, students are allowed to play sports for a different school, however, the experience is not the same. Sports help provide structure that is needed for people’s lives after high school, such as the routine athletes gain and the ability to build healthy habits.

Sports provide students with the ability to learn stress management, which will help them beyond high school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that physical activity increases brain function while reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in high schoolers. When schools do not have sports, they take away the ability for students to have easy access to a reduction in stress. High school can be a stressful time for many and sports can be an easy and fun way for students toreduce the stress they get from the school day.

Athletics also build confidence and a sense of community that students may not otherwise have. As someone who competed on a swim team at a different school than my own, which does not offer sports, I felt a sense of community on my team, but not to the same level I would have if I had been part of my zoned school.. Being on the same campus would have allowed stronger relationships and a greater sense of unity. Along with that, it becomes inconvenient to travel to a different school, where I do not feel comfortable with the people. 

Being part of a team within the same school is especially important outside of the season. When I stepped away from swimming to focus more on school and my future career, I lost much of the community I had built through the sport. Because those teammates were not students I saw daily, those connections faded quickly. If the team had been connected to my school, those relationships would have been easier to maintain. Without school-based athletics, students lose the opportunity to form long-lasting friendships built through shared experiences.

Research, not just my personal experiences, supports the value of school sports. The National Federation of State High School Associations reports that students who participate in athletics often develop leadership skills, discipline and teamwork that carry into adulthood. With these skills being hard to teach in a classroom, sports are one of the only places to gain them. Sports place students in real situations where responsibility and accountability matter, helping them grow both socially and emotionally.

Sports also help improve overall school engagement. Studies have shown that students involved in extracurricular activities, including athletics, tend to have better attendance and stronger motivation in school. Many student-athletes work harder academically and attend school to stay eligible to compete. When schools remove sports programs, they remove a key incentive that keeps many students focused and committed to their education.

In short, schools without sports are removing more than just games and practices. They are taking away stress relief, confidence-building opportunities and a sense of belonging. Sports are not just about competition; they are about growth, connection and balance. If schools want to support students beyond academics, athletics should be seen as an essential part of education, not an optional extracurricular.