Whether you play them, love watching them or don’t know anything about them, sports are an integral part of our lives as Americans—and they have a powerful presence in our schools. Not only do they encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices, school officials like John Burroughs director of athletics Peter Tasker point out that being part of a team teaches valuable life lessons.
“Our playing fields are classrooms without walls,” he says. “Athletics is our second curriculum.” Tasker says he never imagined being in his current position; he enjoyed teaching math and Spanish (and continues to teach the latter) at JBS when he arrived 12 years ago. But now in his seventh year as director of athletics, he notes the athletic department is tied to every aspect of the institution—the student body, faculty, coaches, parents, alumni, development and more—and he believes it should be. Because more than anything else offered, athletic involvement is about the school’s philosophy of revealing character. “The essence of a student’s character is revealed very quickly out on the field,” Tasker says. “If we’re good stewards of the journey, we can forge great character.”
His position, he notes, allows him to see why it’s important for kids to be involved in athletics. It’s something the school community believes so strongly, that participation is a requirement. Freshmen and sophomores must be involved with a team sport on some level for two out of three seasons, and there is a minimum of fitness for the open season. For juniors and seniors, it’s one out of three seasons, and the other two open seasons are filled with fitness or an independent activity. “Our philosophy includes balance,” Tasker explains. “We’re trying to educate our students to have a certain set of skills so they can lead a healthy and fulfilling life. We feel that athletics are an essential part of that.”
He says in order for schools to make a difference, teaching core values through athletics is a must, and now, more of the burden falls on schools to talk about issues of character, ethics and life lessons. “If a student is lucky enough to be in a two-parent household, both parents are most likely working,” he says. “And participation in religious communities is on the decline, so it’s up to us.”
He notes that coaches have the opportunity to talk to students about overcoming adversity, how to live for something bigger than themselves, and how to set goals and make sacrifices. And sports are a great way to let go and have fun, he adds. In the end, Tasker says if you focus on performance and moral skills, you will find the process is enriched and the end results are better.
Brian Kessler has been the activities director at Parkway West High School for 10 years and involved with coaching varsity baseball in various roles (including as head coach) since graduating high school. He played baseball in college and has two teenage children who are or have been heavily involved in both club and school sports. “I’ve seen the whole puzzle from every perspective: as a player, parent, coach and administrator,” Kessler says. “Here at West, it always goes back to the same question: Why do we want students involved in sports?” His answer: The more students are involved with the school outside of the classroom, the more invested they become in the community at large and the better relationships they build with classmates and adults. “Hopefully, this will motivate them to be greater than they are today,” Kessler says. “We have a saying here: Take care of yourself, take care of each other and take care of this place. And that completely embodies being part of a team.”
Kessler notes studies have shown that students who are involved in sports tend to have better grades, stay away from negative influences, learn how to work with others, overcome adversity, and deal with conflict in a positive way. “Our coaches are amazing,” Kessler says. “They truly are teaching life lessons through sports.” He points out that it’s a team effort in every aspect. “We ask the parents to help us educate and guide their children. We want to prepare kids for the path rather than prepare the path for the kids; it’s a pretty interesting concept.”
Kessler admits it can be hard at times, and there is failure involved out on the field. “Often, what students learn from failure far outweighs what they’ll learn from success,” he notes. “We want to do anything we can to promote students getting involved and having a connection to school.”