The current structure of high school sports is attempting to maximize educational quality, athletic excellence, and beneficial effects on families and community simultaneously. While this structure is continuing to encourage athletes to have goals to reach as a result of giving back to the community. In my opinion this structure will impinge on one another because of how it will help create a sense of unity between all groups through support and encouragement.

Generally speaking, it is believed that high school sport athletes are pressured in today’s society to become the next Superstars of ESPN, Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, Inc. Sporting events and news are available to the public twenty-four hours a day on television and radio: sports are an enormous industry. The outstanding popularity of the sports industry has profoundly affected athletics and the community.
The fact still remains that high school sports help establish many athletes in their moral, intellect, and character. The beneficial effects that I see in high school sports is it encourage athletes to have goals and creates a sense of unity between the athlete, family, and community, yet the concept of goals broaden an athletes horizon, by setting things in a different light. Though a dream may seem impractical, with the right steps in place, the idea can be obtained; therefore, the goal is achievable if an athlete set specific goals such as a state championship, a scholarship, or even going professional.

The interaction of high school sports can help athletics realize that with practice and hard work an impractical dream can become a reality. When an athlete accomplishes this goal, there is a trickle down effect to the family and community. An athlete’s family and community act as his or her support system; encouraging them to reach for the unattainable. Thus when the goal is achieved it is even a bigger accomplishment for the athlete knowing that there was someone to support him or her in their efforts. There are many examples of how athletes have given back to those that encouraged and helped them along the way with monetary funds, mentoringship, and acknowledgement. The simple concept of a goal can help an athlete in their life and the lives of those whom have affected them all through high school sports. Furthermore, other benefits of high school sport are that it creates unity among the athlete, family, and community. With a common goal in mind for the athlete, family, and community, there is unity in coming together to achieve it. In some cases, the family may not be able to provide transportation or funds, therefore the community can help, and if the community is lacking a role model the athlete can fill that position. Through the interaction of all these groups, they all come together to support each other.

There are many that feel organized sports can be very beneficial. Lyle Micheli, associate professor at Harvard Medical School, strongly supports organized sports for youth. He claims that sports aid in the development of social and interpersonal skills, health fitness and psychological well being. The more evident benefits involve individual skill development, greater physical fitness, and higher self esteem. Other benefits include development of group cooperation teamwork and friendship-making skills. Many feel that self-esteem and self-image can be greatly improved through sports.

In high school sports it is often seen when a school faces major rivals that the community and family of the athlete are there in full force, and if the team loses the lost is felt by everyone not just the athlete. The drive within all these areas of high school sports help to promote a sense of oneness that can only be achieved through high school sports.
The media glorifies the negative aspects of high school sports by saying it places to much stress on athletes to be like the professionals. The overall goal of high school sports is to help athletes develop into young adults with goals in mind and the support of those around. Many athletes set goals to overcome the barriers that are around them, and through the support of their family and community they come together to accomplish these goals, which create lasting bonds and benefits for everyone.