Back to School

School is back in session and it's the time of year to remind us about the importance of the "student" part of being a student-athlete. Having children succeed as a student first, athlete second, should be the priority of every wrestler, parent, and coach.

Antoine Glasgow is the head coach of the Glasgow Wrestling Academy in Atlanta, GA. He and his wife, Dr. LaShawn Glasgow, have two boys active in wrestling. And even though their children are still in elementary school, the couple is building a foundation where education comes first, athletics second.

"We explicitly share with our boys that our role as parents is to help them develop into men of strong character and faith, which will serve them well on and off the mat," says Dr. Glasgow. "That means we expect them to put their best effort forward in all they do, from homework and wrestling matches to helping out around the house. Healthy parental expectations help children thrive. Also, just as we make sure our boys have solid coaching and quality wrestling gear, we invest in educational tools and academic support services as needed."

The Glasgow's borrow wrestling’s spirit of competitiveness and incorporate it into academics, encouraging their sons to achieve personal bests in school. For example, can their fourth grader break his previous record for most multiplication tables recited correctly in two minutes (which is equal to the time of one wrestling period)? Can their kindergartener tell the family how many points two takedowns equal? Who will achieve the top number of good behavior points by the end of the school week?

"We celebrate academic achievement as fervently as we do tournament medals," says Dr. Glasgow.

Elijah Porter is a middle school math teacher in the Atlanta area. His son Andrew Porter, also competes for Glasgow Wrestling Academy.

There have been several occasions where Andrew has competed against bigger and stronger opponents and lost. But Elijah says a lesson his son learned in a very challenging mathematics class helped things click on the mat.

"The physical size and strength of the student means absolutely nothing in terms of the student's ability to succeed," Elijah points out. Andrew figured out that the same mental stamina needed to solve long math problems could also help him stay focused in matches, allowing him to defeat his opponents by lasting deep into the last period.

This has also translated over in other aspects. While young wrestlers often act based on instinct, that can only get a wrestler so far. Eventually, the competition is too good. Elijah says his son has now realized that the strategy and planning necessary to maintain good grades over the school year can also be used to win difficult wrestling matches.

Education-based sports are particularly important for striking the proper balance between academics and athletics, says Bruce Howard, Director of Publications and Communications at the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). In fact, multiple surveys have shown that students who participate in high school sports have better grade-point averages than those students who are not active in sports. But the priority must remain on the education aspect of being a student-athlete.

Keep this in mind: less than one percent of high school seniors playing football will be drafted by an NFL team, Howard points out. And in wrestling, the opportunities to go pro are not available. "The majority of high school athletes will not compete in competitive sports beyond high school," he notes. "As a result, having a balance between academics and athletics in high school will help to ensure students’ success in later life in their chosen careers.”

North Dakota State University wrestling coach Roger Kish, an All-American wrestler at the University of Minnesota, understands the value of education. When coaches recruit future wrestlers they look for those with successes in the classroom and on the mat.

"I believe the opportunity to use wrestling as way to attend college and receive a quality education is a tremendous investment in a young person’s future," says Kish. "The lessons you learn in college, in and out of the classroom, prepare you for life outside of athletics."

Amy Collins-Barker, a teacher, has an 11-year-old son, Koa, who wrestles. But the house rules are clear: Koa must complete homework before attending wrestling practice. But making learning fun keeps Koa motivated, his mom says. "We constantly remind him that the sharp mind he is cultivating in the classroom will translate directly to wrestling in the form of faster decision making and critical thinking.”.

And, in the Collins-Barker house, the focus is not on individual grades, but giving your best at everything you do. "If you can fall in love with the process of becoming a great student and great wrestler it makes achieving that goal much more possible," Amy says.

Participating in wrestling has provided an opportunity for Koa to build confidence and perseverance, which have helped him overcome his struggles with dyslexia. This, in turn, has also positively impacted his academics. "The first time you try a new subject or new wrestling move you aren't going to perfect it, but by trying your hardest and practicing that skill repeatedly you will continue to get better," says Collins-Barker.

Koa agrees. "Even though wrestling is really important, school is the most important because good grades will help you succeed when you get old," he says. 

Parents, coaches, and teammates can all work together to make sure academics are as important as winning a wrestling match to children. Mental toughness, self-discipline, and practice are all aspects of wrestling that readily translate to academics, Dr. Glasgow points out. Those are all strengths of today's successful student-athlete.