Starting early on in life, students choose sports they think they would enjoy. Some choose football, volleyball, or any other activity, but sometimes they can only choose one. While in middle school, students can try all of the sports, and then end up choosing a couple to continue on with while in high school. Then when it comes to college, students have to choose what sport they love most to continue with if at all. So when a student is in high school, they have to decide if a sport is worth the time and energy of all four years or if they should take another path.
Many students in high school have done the same sport for many years. Deciding to quit after so much time spent can be a very hard decision. One example of this is volleyball. They had three players quit this season. Katelyn Allison, senior, said, “… my senior year would’ve been my tenth year playing.” Deciding to quit something is not an easy thing to do, but it can be for the best.
Being a student-athlete can be a big struggle for some. An atmosphere where not everyone is appreciated can be hard to handle. This can be detrimental to one’s mental and physical health. Allison said, “The main reason is that I was constantly being criticized, and the comments being made about me to my face or to others were deeply affecting my confidence and mental health.” It is best to be in situations where everyone cares and appreciates the work every athlete is doing. She said, “The second reason is that my club soccer season is also going on, and I was missing a lot for volleyball. I would rather put my time into something I’m more passionate about and more appreciated at.” Juggling multiple sports at once can also influence a decision one has to make. It’s hard when someone has to pick between two activities they love.
When choosing to do something you enjoy over something one feels they have to like, many choose the better choice. Corban McCoy, senior, quit cross country this year and decided to play football. He said, “XC isn’t much of a team sport… Football atmosphere was way cooler, more of a brotherhood and family.” Feeling like one is in a comfortable atmosphere while doing a sport they enjoy can be important. It is better to feel included rather than feel alone within a team.
While not everyone would choose to quit a sport, sometimes it’s the only way. To some, quitting may seem like the easiest out, but it’s important to try one’s hardest. Allison said, “Don’t take it lightly, and push through if you feel you can. However, if your health is suffering, and you feel you have no coach support behind you, then do what you feel is best.”
Falling out of love with a sport one used to spend every second thinking about can be such a surreal feeling to most. McCoy said, “You’re only in high school once. so make the most of it. Only quit an activity to free time for other activities.” It may be hard, but students need to choose what’s best for themselves rather than what others think might be best for them.
