What is one expected outcome of participation in interscholastic athletics?

Participation in interscholastic athletics is designed to offer a variety of benefits that extend beyond just physical fitness or competitive success. One expected and significant outcome is building citizenship. This involves helping students understand their roles within a community and the importance of teamwork, respect for others, and contributions to the welfare of the group.

Through athletic participation, students learn valuable lessons about responsibility, accountability, and cooperation. They engage not just with teammates but also with opposing teams, coaches, and officials, which fosters a sense of community and encourages the development of positive relationships. This engagement promotes civic values, such as respect, fairness, and commitment, which are essential for active and responsible citizenship.

Other options, while potentially positive aspects of athletic participation, do not encompass the broader developmental goals of interscholastic sports. For example, enhancing winning records focuses primarily on competitive success rather than personal or social growth. Improving communication skills is certainly a valuable skill learned through sports, but it is just one aspect of the overall experience and not as comprehensive as the citizenship aspect. Focusing only on sportsmanship, although important, is too narrow and does not cover the full scope of outcomes that participation in athletics aims to achieve, such as community involvement and social responsibility.