Absence of Sports Theory Classes Impacts Students

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DIANA LI
Staff Writer
With fall sports in full swing, AHS’ sports teams are striving to improve throughout their season. However, new limits to sixth period sports theory classes are placing some sports teams at a disadvantage
This year, only four sports theory classes remain: baseball, softball, soccer and football.
In previous years, sports theory classes were also available for sports, such as tennis and basketball. However, because of the inavailability of coaches due to budget cuts and declining school enrollment, these classes have been cut to better fit school curriculum.
Currently, school enrollment has declined compared to previous years. Because the demand for these classes have now been lowered, the number of avaiblable classes have been lowered as well.
In addition, some student requests for sports theory classes conflict with their requests for other classes, which encumber the master scheduling. These combined factors are the main cause for the reduced number of sports classes.
Although the decision to remove some sports theory classes may have been fiscally appropriate, students who are in sports but not in a theory class may be at a disadvantage to their peers who are in both.
“If [students] have [a] sixth period P.E. class, it lessens the impact on [their] academic classes on game days,” Athletic Director Gerald De Santis said.
Not having a sixth period theory class not only takes away from individual team members but also from the team as a whole.
“It’s a disadvantage to the team to start later. Their practices are going to end later, so it takes [time] away from [the students],” former tennis theory coach David Lawson said.
However, there is still hope for sudent athletes. If state finances and student interest increase, then there is a possibility that some sports classes may be brought back.
In the meantime, AHS’sports teams can still push through this rough patch and into success.

With fall sports in full swing, AHS’ sports teams are striving to improve throughout their season. However, new limits to sixth period sports theory classes are placing some sports teams at a disadvantage This year, only four sports theory classes remain: baseball, softball, soccer and football.  In previous years, sports theory classes were also available for sports, such as tennis and basketball. However, because of the inavailability of coaches due to budget cuts and declining school enrollment, these classes have been cut to better fit school curriculum. Currently, school enrollment has declined compared to previous years. Because the demand for these classes have now been lowered, the number of avaiblable classes have been lowered as well.  In addition, some student requests for sports theory classes conflict with their requests for other classes, which encumber the master scheduling. These combined factors are the main cause for the reduced number of sports classes. Although the decision to remove some sports theory classes may have been fiscally appropriate, students who are in sports but not in a theory class may be at a disadvantage to their peers who are in both. “If [students] have [a] sixth period P.E. class, it lessens the impact on [their] academic classes on game days,” Athletic Director Gerald De Santis said. Not having a sixth period theory class not only takes away from individual team members but also from the team as a whole. “It’s a disadvantage to the team to start later. Their practices are going to end later, so it takes [time] away from [the students],” former tennis theory coach David Lawson said. However, there is still hope for sudent athletes. If state finances and student interest increase, then there is a possibility that some sports classes may be brought back.  In the meantime, AHS’sports teams can still push through this rough patch and into success.