We’ve all heard the stereotypes.
Some popular ones include the derogatory phrases “meatheads” and “dumb jocks.”
Athletes across the globe defy these misconceptions every day, and Plant City area athletes certainly are doing their part of squashing these stereotypes.
The more I cover local high school sports teams, the more I take note of the academic successes of the athletes.
It’s something coaches are quick to point out — and rightly so.
After all, the word “student” comes first in student-athlete, and it’s something that college coaches certainly consider, much more than some may think.
The three Plant City-area high schools have built a strong academic tradition, and some of those school’s best students also shine on the court or playing field.
This is prominent at Strawberry Crest, a school that identifies with academic success with its International Baccalaureate program. Many of the athletes at SCHS, especially the seniors, came to the school because of academics. After interviewing numerous athletes at the school, their loaded class schedules full of IB, Advanced Placement and honor classes generally come up.
Take soccer player Mazeed Aro-Lambo. He led the Chargers in practically every offensive category this season, and despite having several offers to play in college, he will be attending prestigious Northwestern University outside Chicago on a full academic scholarship. He does hope to walk-on to the team there, once again balancing a rigorous academic schedule with a team sport.
One of the more interesting examples of an entire team unit succeeding academically is Durant football’s 2012 offensive line. The kids may be big and menacing on the field, but they also are sharp in the classroom, with a cumulative weighted GPA of 5.5. Senior center Alex Wood leads that group and likely will attend an Ivy League school this fall.
Also in football, the group at Plant City cannot be overlooked. The Raiders had a strong year when it comes to college recruiting. Six of the 10 seniors have committed to play at the next level, which means they all have financial help in some capacity to get a college education. Perhaps even more impressive is that the other four seniors also will attend college, according to PCHS assistant coach Greg Meyer.
In high school sports, especially football, coaches often preach academic success to their players, but it is sometimes more of a formality than a goal of the coaches. But that mentality isn’t seen here in Plant City. After spending substantial time at games, practices and weight-room sessions, you can tell these coaches value education.
Sports are a great way to teach young people life lessons, and for many, it may be the only avenue to college. But academics still play an essential part in the process.
There has been a trend in college sports that shows how athletes are being held to a higher academic standard than ever before. Coaches aren’t only satisfied by how well a high school kid can catch a football or dunk a basketball. They want to find athletes who will benefit their programs by being able to stay in those programs by meeting and exceeding academic standards set for them.
There’s no point to heavily recruit a running back if you don’t have faith he will be dedicated to his studies enough to stay in school once he gets to college.
This is why there has been an increase in the amount of signings of local athletes in recent years. Coaches want players who are just as committed in the classroom as they are when wearing a uniform.
If this trend of high academic success continues with area athletes, expect more recruiting to follow.
The best part of all of this? If the sport doesn’t work out, there is viable backup plan.