Quck answer
Schools have had sports teams for a long time, dating back to ancient civilizations. In ancient Greece, sports were an integral part of education, with students participating in activities like wrestling and running. In ancient Rome, schools had gladiatorial games and chariot races. In the Middle Ages, schools in Europe had sports teams for various activities, including archery and fencing. The modern concept of organized school sports teams began in the 19th century, with the establishment of public schools in England and the introduction of team sports like cricket and football. Since then, school sports teams have become an important part of education worldwide.
Do you engage in golf practice after school? Maybe you meet up with your friends for soccer training. You might focus on cheerleading or dance routines. Or perhaps you prefer to spectate sports rather than participate in them. Regardless, sports play a significant role in schools today.
But has it always been this way? Imagine a world where schools don’t have sports teams. It may be challenging to visualize! Currently, over half of all American high school students participate in a school sport. However, school sports today are quite different from how they were centuries ago.
Were you aware that not all children used to attend school? It’s true! For a long time, only wealthy families sent their children to school. Often, these children went to boarding schools far from home. There, many kids engaged in sports such as fencing, lacrosse, and certain types of dance. Sometimes they competed against other schools, but not always. Frequently, students within the same school competed against each other instead.
In 1852, Massachusetts became the first state to mandate school attendance for all children in the United States. Other states gradually adopted compulsory education. Mississippi was the last state to do so in 1917. Soon after, sports became part of public schools.
Early public schools aimed to provide students with a well-rounded education. They believed that sports would help children develop character. They also wanted to offer all students more opportunities for learning and personal growth. Many schools saw sports as one such opportunity.
Have you ever witnessed two school sports teams competing against each other? If so, you know that these events can be very thrilling! However, early school sports didn’t involve many inter-school competitions. That only became common in 1903 when the Public School Athletic League for Boys was established in New York City. This marked the beginning of formal competitions between students from different schools.
This is when school sports truly flourished. Soon, children were eager to join baseball, basketball, and track and field teams. However, one issue persisted. Not all students had equal opportunities to participate. Girls and students with disabilities were often excluded. Segregation and racism also resulted in students of color being left out.
Gradually, this began to change. Segregation became illegal in the mid-20th century, leading to more opportunities for student athletes of color. In 1972, Title IX prevented schools from discriminating against students based on gender. Thanks to Title IX, schools were required to offer girls the same opportunities as boys. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 further brought about change by mandating equal access to sports for students with disabilities.
As of 2013, 7.7 million American students participated in school sports. Many people question the academic impact of sports on kids. Studies have shown that student athletes are more likely to attend college. They also tend to perform well on standardized tests and have positive relationships with school staff.
Are school sports suitable for everyone? Not necessarily. Many children would prefer to engage in other activities after school. However, for those who do participate, school sports offer numerous benefits. And of course, anyone can enjoy watching a competition between two schools. School sports are guaranteed to remain a popular pastime for years to come.
Give It a Try
Find an adult who can assist you in experimenting with one or more of the activities mentioned below!
- What do you enjoy doing after school? Do you participate in a sport? Have a snack at home? Play with friends outdoors? Create a collage with various images that depict your favorite after-school activity. Share your creation with a friend or family member.
- Interested in exploring new sports? Take a look at this list and choose at least one sport to learn more about. Imagine that a friend or family member is contemplating whether to participate in the sport you read about. Write them a letter or email offering advice based on your findings.
- Are you a sports enthusiast? Check out these amazing sports photographs. Do you recall any of these significant moments? If not, speculate with a friend or family member about what might be happening in each photo. Then, click on the picture to read the caption.
Sources of Wonder
- https://kappanonline.org/bowen-hitt-history-and-evidence-show-school-sports-help-students-win/ (accessed on January 9, 2020)
- https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2013/09/when-did-competitive-sports-take-over-american-childhood/279868/ (accessed on January 9, 2020)
- https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/title-ix-enacted (accessed on January 9, 2020)
- https://sportsconflict.org/racial-segregation-american-sports/ (accessed on January 9, 2020)
- http://athleticadminonline.ohio.edu/resources/articles/the-american-with-disabilities-act-are-your-sport-programs-compliant/ (accessed on January 9, 2020)
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