What better way to keep athletes’ grades up, than to offer them tutoring in an after-school study hall. That’s the new program some Memorial High School football players will take part in throughout their school year.

It’s such a shame to see a good athlete removed from a team because of failing grades. And to keep that from happening on next year’s football squads, coaches will be requiring players to attend after-school study halls to keep up on their studies. They will still be lifting weights in the off-season, if they’re not playing in another sport.

As one of the coaches said to me last night at the football banquet, many of the college athletes who receive scholarships, were three-season athletes in high school. You might think all that practice time takes away from the studies, but it does just the opposite. Students learn how to manage their study time through the discipline they pick up from sports, and their parents. The busier, and more involved they are in school activities, the better they become at managing their time.

Now, don’t get me wrong, kids need down time too. They need to unwind with the Ipod music, watch a television show or visit with friends. And, reading the newspaper wouldn’t be a bad idea either! That down time re-energizes their brains. But, too much of that free time can make them lazy, and lead to poor study habits.

Habits is the key word here. If you can get your athlete into a routine of finishing their homework, before the tv comes on, they will become more efficient in their studies.

-Bob Hammerstrom

bhammerstrom@nashuatelegraph.com

Tags: athletes, blog, bob hammerstrom, coaches, Football, grades, High School, homework, manchester, Memorial, Parents, program, raising, School, sports, team, tutoring