High School Sports:

The Hindrance in Public Education?

Presented by: Jordan Loo

The Argument
Amanda Ripley, a world renowned journalist, brings forth the
observation that: The United States routinely spends more tax
dollars per high-school athlete than per high-school math student - unlike most countries worldwide. And we wonder why we lag in
international education rankings?
Ripley believes that high school sports and extra curricular
activities are hindering American high schools instead of enriching
them and should be taken out of public school programs.

My Response
Although high school
sports and other
extracurricular activities
can take time and money
away from academics, the
benefits and life lessons
learned from participating
in these activities allow
for a more enriched and
prosperous future for
America.

The Debate

Major Points
Pros

Cons (according to Ripley)

Health benefits
Emotional, social value
Life experience
sentimental value
Teaches positive work ethic
Allows for leadership roles to come
into play
Allows for the possibility of going to
college.

Sports is just a way to keep kids from

getting soft from all this Schooling
Takes too much time
Sports is not a glorification of fun or
teamwork but a glorification of
winning
The cost of football is four times per
athlete the cost of math instruction
Sports do not lure enough students to
want to succeed in school because 60%
of seniors do not participate in sports
School facilities are getting ridiculous

Health Benefits
Dr. Charles Basch, of Columbia Dr. Basch points out: Physical
University, performed a
activity has also been reported
research study that resulted in to have favorable effects on
the confirmation of health
physiological indices other
benefits and the academic
than fitness, and to improve
benefits to physically active
quality of life.
youth.

Social Benefits

Girls who compete in sports

get better grades, graduate at
higher rates and have more
confidence. The vast majority
avoid unplanned pregnancies,
drugs, obesity, depression and
suicide

Emotional Benefits

Participation in Physical activity for

teens was associated with decreased
anxiety and depression and improved
academic performance; improved
parental relationships, increased selfesteem, and decreased anger;
decreased psychological stress; lower
levels of mental health problems;
reduced tobacco, alcohol, and
marijuana use; and satisfaction with
mandatory gym classes in school

Suicide Rate
Suicides per 100,000 people per year
South Korea 28- 3rd
Japan 21- 10th
Russia 20- 15th
Finland 16- 21st
USA 10- 33rd

Ripleys points
Sports is just a way to keep kids from
getting soft from all this Schooling
Takes too much time
Sports is not a glorification of fun or
teamwork but a glorification of
winning
The cost of football is four times per
athlete the cost of math instruction
Sports do not lure enough students to
want to succeed in school because 60%
of seniors do not participate in sports
School facilities are getting ridiculous

Sports is a way to ensure that boys wont be

soft.

Sports can and should

be hard. As children
and teenagers face
challenges their true
character comes out.

Takes too much time

"Time management is perhaps the
most important skill set not only
for student athletes, but
throughout one's entire personal
and professional life," he says.
"Student athletes have a
tremendous advantage over other
students in this regard in that they
naturally acquire first-hand
expertise in managing their time.
-Scott Lancaster

Are some programs over doing it?

66 Million Tax payer Dollars!?!

Yes I would say they are over doing it!!!

Sports is a glorification of winning

Yes it is.

Sports do not lure enough students to want to

succeed
The real question is how
much is enough?
If any program has the
capacity to change even
one students life for the
better shouldnt it be
supported?

Richard Sherman
I was raised understanding the
value of hard work. My parents
preached academics above all else.
It got to the point where Id bring
home a B in middle school, even in a
tough class, and get stern looks, like,
that is not acceptable. But our
parents always kept us involved in
sports, kept us busy. In such a bad
neighborhood, they always wanted us
doing something constructive.

University Rankings
Studies have shown that
the United States has
many more prestigious
Universities than any
other country.
Why is that?

Sports allow for more scholarships and lower

tuition in America.
How much profit does The University of Texas at Austin
Football team in Austin, Texas make?
The University of Texas at Austin Football team in Austin,
Texas made the following profit:
Men's Team Expenses:
$27,675,403
Men's Team Revenue: $109,400,688
Men's Team Profit: $71,242,332

Conclusion
It can be difficult for schools to
make decisions regarding funding,
especially when test scores
decrease. But if administrators can
keep the big picture in mind, and
factor in how the many benefits of
physical activity and sports
programs can help students, the
good test scores will follow
High School sports is here to stay, it
is a part of who we are as a nation.

Quick Recap

Questions?