Submission by Mike Kayes, American Policy Center

“I am pleased to share this inspirational story from author and activist Mike Kayes. Now retired from the investment business, he dedicates his life to working with young people in a sports ministry, providing positive motivation and spiritual guidance. He has written several books. His websites include https://www.kayesbooks.com and mikekayes10@outlook.com.

I’m sharing Mike’s story in three parts. Here is part one. Please feel free to share it.”
~ Tom DeWeese, President

The sixth in my six-part series – Six Things We Can Do to Make America Better

Number Six: Integrate sports into the overall education experience
Focus on character development and maximize participation

In many ways, our public schools are failing our kids. That may sound harsh, but I don’t think it’s unfair, given our inability to solve the problems of school violence, teen suicide, drug use, and underachievement.

What if we tried a new approach, centered on character development and widespread participation in athletics in middle school and high school? In my experience, a student’s attitude, effort, and commitment in the classroom can improve dramatically when they put on the jersey of their school team.

A sense of belonging to a team, and working toward a goal beyond one’s own self-interest, can change a student’s motivation and help them cope with everyday challenges. The key is for every coach to be committed to character development and to link participation in athletics with conduct in the classroom. Character development through sports extends far beyond the field, influencing attitudes and behaviors at school, at home, and in the community.

The current situation:

• Low participation rates: No more than 20–25% of students compete in athletics in most large public schools.
• Inexperienced coaches: Many schools give coaching positions first to teachers, some of whom have never played the sport they are coaching.
• Resources for “elite” teams only: Most resources are allocated primarily to top teams.
• Focus on winning over character: If a school focuses too much on winning, it often gets neither winning nor character development. Focus on character first, and over time, you’re more likely to get both.

What it should look like:

• Participation rates of at least 70%. Virtually all students can be involved in some way – as athletes, cheerleaders, pep band members, statisticians, or managers. As athletic participation becomes part of the school culture, numbers will grow. I’ve seen it firsthand as a volunteer Athletic Director at a nearby charter school. It’s achievable.
• Well-trained, experienced coaches. Players tune out coaches who don’t know the game, and that eliminates the opportunity to teach both skills and character.
• Character development at the core. Every aspect of the athletic program should center on building character.

Why character development doesn’t happen naturally:

• Winning-at-all-costs mentality: Too many schools measure success by the final score. John Wooden’s definition of success should be in every Athletic Department Handbook: “Success is a peace of mind which is a direct result of knowing that you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.”
• Poor role models: Both parents and coaches sometimes fail to model sportsmanship, compassion, and humility. It starts with the coach, who must set expectations for parents and players alike.
• Misunderstanding how character is built: It isn’t learned in a classroom. It’s forged under stress. Examples include:
  • Humility is learned by substituting players rather than running up the score.
  • Compassion is learned by congratulating your opponent before celebrating with your own team.
  • Self-control is learned by not yelling at an official after a bad call.
  • Honor is learned when you bench a star player for breaking rules.
  • Servant leadership is learned when captains are given real responsibilities.
  • Leadership is learned when you give the captain’s role to someone who has never led before.
  • Respect is learned when your team leaves every gym or ballfield cleaner than they found it.

Why coaches are so impactful:

When I speak to groups about sports, I always start the same way: “Raise your hand if you remember the name of your first coach.” Every hand goes up. Every time.

Why? Because sports reach kids on an emotional level like few other school activities. If a coach knows the sport and brings enthusiasm and passion, players will remember what that coach says and does for the rest of their lives – whether the influence is positive or negative. Coaches shape character, for better or worse.

Recommended changes:

• Raise expectations for student athletes. At my first varsity basketball practice, I tell players it’s a privilege, not a right, to play. That means doing the right thing on the court, in the classroom, and at home. As players, they’re leaders, and I expect them to lead as servant leaders.
  • Practical application: I tell them not to sit together at lunch. Sit with the students no one else sits with. Sometimes I assign a player to befriend a student who’s struggling socially.
  • Practical application: If a player is underachieving in class, I’ve pulled them from practice and sent them to study hall instead. I expect them to get the best grades they’ve ever gotten – and they often do.
• Offer a wide range of sports. Many administrators lack sports backgrounds, so they don’t realize how powerful athletics can be for building character and improving behavior. As a result, they offer only one or two “elite” teams, participation stays low, and the focus becomes winning instead of growth. Sports like track, cross country, and swimming can involve nearly unlimited students.
• Seek more support from the community. Local colleges, pro teams, corporations, and philanthropists should be encouraged to invest in scholastic athletics.

Like all worthy causes, this takes work. But even if it changes just one kid at one school, isn’t it worth it?