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Try sports!

Joseph Abraham - Sports & Life Editor
Posted 1/21/20

In today's world there's so much to do indoors -- browse the internet, social media, stream movies and TV shows instantaneously, etc. While that's great in some instances, it also makes it extremely …

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Try sports!

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In today's world there's so much to do indoors -- browse the internet, social media, stream movies and TV shows instantaneously, etc. While that's great in some instances, it also makes it extremely difficult to leave your couch. And it seems kids are getting hooked on all this new tech earlier and earlier.

So let's put some things into perspective. It's co-editor Joe here. Currently I am 27 years old. That's a unique age because I can still remember dial-up internet and the joys of playing outdoors, as well as watching technology advance.

Here at the Democrat, one of my jobs is to cover local sports. At the high school level, various varsity sports are falling by the wayside or multiple schools are having to merge just to field a team. While this is due to a number of factors, the one I'd like to address today is student interest.

A friend of mine once told me they saw something about sports editors, noting that they're either a former athlete or the least athletic person on the planet. For me, the latter is probably the better description. At best I hoped to be like Steve Novak who once came off the bench for the Knicks for his ability to make threes. But my percentage isn't one to brag about. I never played sports in high school, but in my free time, did with friends. I suppose it's one of my regrets.

I encourage all middle and high school athletes to give athletics a try. There's a lot of value in doing so, such as the sense of comradery, the development of discipline and life lessons like putting in the extra work to work towards a goal.

And there are benefits in the classroom.

For example, this past fall, several high school varsity teams were named New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete teams. They were the Liberty girls soccer, girls tennis and volleyball teams; Livingston Manor boys cross country and girls soccer teams; Monticello boys cross country, girls cross country, girls soccer and volleyball teams; Downsville-Roscoe merged girls soccer team; Sullivan West girls cross country, girls soccer and volleyball teams; Tri-Valley boys cross country, girls cross country, boys soccer and football teams, and the merged Fallsburg/Tri-Valley girls tennis team.

We commend all these teams for their success on and off the field, as well as the even higher number of NYSPHSAA Scholar Athletes who earned individual honors.

There is no doubt a delicate balance that must be struck by student athletes, ensuring that they get all their school work done, even when they don't get home from games until late.

But when mastered, great things are achieved.

For example, last June, we ran a story in our sports section about Tri-Valley's Diana Ter Bush. Not only did she play soccer and basketball and run track, she graduated high school a year early and is now at the University of Miami. She attributed sports to teaching her how to stay disciplined on top of a heavy workload.

And she isn't the only student to benefit from the lessons sports teaches us.

In addition to benefits in the classroom, athletics keep us active and focused on our health. There are so many choices. Sports encourages a healthier lifestyle and paying closer attention to our dietary choices. And having some physical fitness in your weekly routine can pay dividends for your future health.

While I was able to pick up some of sports' valuable lessons from the sideline, I think participating in a sport on a consistent basis would have driven some of them home at an earlier age.

So consider giving sports a try!

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