Photo Credit: Ryan Hornish
I believe that Student Athletes should not take Physical Education while they are in an athletic season. Per the Merriam Webster Dictionary, Physical Education (P.E.) is the instruction in the development and care of the body ranging from simple calisthenic exercises to a course of study providing training in hygiene, gymnastics, and the performance and management of athletic games. Athletes learn a lot of this in practices by their coaches or in games.

As a two sport student athlete and one of 7,963,535 High School student athletes in the nation I find the discussion of athletes taking gym class in an athletic season important but impractical. It is us, the student athletes that attend our classes, go to practices and games. We raise the banners and trophies that say conference or state champions but how did we do it all. Relentless practices almost 6 days a week after school or in the morning lead to the those wins, but how does this correlate with PE in schools?

The possibility of an athlete getting hurt in gym class is pretty high. As of a statistic taken a little over 10 years ago, injuries in gym class since 1997-2007 had risen 150% nationwide. I also believe it’s unfair for athletes that participate in gym because I know that with Glen Rocks athletic program, practices for sports are 6 days a week and range from 1-2 hours plus daily, also section 18A:35-8 in N.J.A.C. 6A:8, Standards And Assessments states that a student must take a two and one-half hours of each course every school week. Technically if administration allows credits to be given for sports played which can be done, Students could collect the required credits needed yearly for gym.  

Some students could possibly use this as a way of getting out of gym class but If controlled well enough by administration. The possibility of student athletes not taking gym while in season could possibly lead to a boost in grades and lessened injuries and overall happier and less stressed out students. Out of season students would have to go back to gym or health class so students still meet credit requirements, I feel like this is the best option that can be pulled from the argument.