As the school year comes to a close, it’s obvious it was another great year for Cooper sports. With SPC victories, trophies, and the best of efforts in every season, the athletes and coaches worked very hard to succeed, but also helped raise morale and spirit across the school. While we always talk about the victories and the benefits, I find that few talk about the actual difficulties of sports. 

Being in the sun or a gym for hours every day while attempting to maintain grade averages before finals can be extremely mentally and physically draining. The reason I felt like I should write this piece is because I don’t think people recognize how difficult it is to be an athlete. It takes true passion and grit to devote hours and hours weekly to an activity, whilst maintaining good academic and social standings. From getting home late at night from a game and being expected to succeed on a test or presentation the next day, to getting home from practice so sore you can barely move, but then seeing the load of work you must do, to when you don’t play your best, and then you can’t stop thinking about it when you need to focus academically— these are just some of the difficulties that I’ve found when coming into high school athletics that I never expected to face. While being an athlete has created some of my favorite Cooper memories and I wouldn’t be who I am today without the incredible programs and athletes, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t physically and mentally exhausted some days. 

As the spring season is almost at its end, reach out to your athlete friends or classmates and lend a hand. Asking about their season or even attending a game makes all the difference. Being seen for your hard work truly transforms the athletic experience.