The Greenville Pioneer 2022, Nov. 4

By Harrison McAneny, 12th Grade

For Capital Region Independent Media

Being an athlete at Greenville High School is something many students enjoy. However, going beyond the high school level to pursue college athletics is a whole different world that very few get the opportunity to do.

Some Spartan alumni have gone on to play at the college level, with the help of Greenville’s athletics program. Not only does Greenville provide a space for athletes to compete, but it also sets students up for academic success so they can succeed outside of sports. This delicate balance allows students to excel at academics and athletics in high school and beyond.

Greenville’s athletic programs prepare student-athletes for college sports, which is exemplified by the elite former students who are successfully playing at the next level.

Ava Fitzmaurice, a Greenville graduate who has gone on to have major success at Siena College, said, “Greenville offers many people many opportunities to succeed in college.”

She went on to note that many of the staff at Greenville have been outstanding role models and very helpful in her journey to becoming a collegiate athlete. Additionally, she shared that guidance counselors work closely with students and colleges to assist with the academic side of the recruiting process.

College sports are very challenging not only because of the higher skill level required but also because of the amount of time and energy that is demanded of these athletes. Student-athletes have to juggle schoolwork and sports, and some even a part-time job, with far less free time than the average student.

“Travel and practice can cause you to get behind on schoolwork… if you don’t put the work in, you will fall behind,” Fitzmaurice said.

Despite the challenges that student-athletes inevitably face, playing a college sport can be an incredibly rewarding experience.

“I gained many great values to use later in life and made some of my best friends while being a college athlete,” Fitzmaurice said.

All in all, college sports contribute to the overall betterment of those who take on the challenge of competing. Not only do sports help student-athletes develop their time management skills, they also further develop the core values often learned through athletics. Values like teamwork, resilience, respect, commitment to healthy lifestyles, leadership, inclusivity, and a strong work ethic. These are skills that benefit student-athletes long after they turn in their uniforms and graduate. 

The athletic program at Greenville sets the stage for student-athletes to go on and compete at the college level by providing them with a positive, encouraging environment to grow both academically and athletically.