As both an educator and a former athlete, I’ve always believed that schools should be about more than just textbooks and test scores. Education is about shaping resilient, adaptable human beings—students who can rise after failure, persevere through setbacks, and find purpose even when the scoreboard doesn’t swing in their favor. That’s why I see an incredible opportunity in the intersection of athletics and academics: they are both powerful arenas for teaching grit.
The Game of Life Starts Early
Too often, we separate the world of sports and the world of academics as if they serve different purposes. But from my perspective, they’re deeply connected. When a student-athlete trains for weeks and loses a game, the pain is real. But so is the lesson. Likewise, when a student studies hard and falls short on a math test, that experience offers a moment for growth.
Resilience isn’t something we’re born with—it’s built, one difficult moment at a time. Whether it’s on the field or in the classroom, we have a responsibility as educators to support students through those moments, helping them push through adversity, learn from mistakes, and keep showing up.
Beyond Talent: Why Grit Matters More
Angela Duckworth, author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, describes grit as a stronger predictor of success than talent. I’ve seen this first-hand. I’ve watched a student-athlete with average physical ability become a team captain because he refused to quit. I’ve watched a struggling reader become a confident speaker because she kept working at it, one chapter at a time.
The key? Consistency, commitment, and a willingness to embrace failure as part of the process. That’s the message we need to drive home: success is earned—not given—and the habits built through persistence are the ones that carry us furthest in life.
Creating a Culture That Rewards Effort
In my role as principal, one of my goals is to ensure that our school culture values effort and growth just as much as achievement. We celebrate wins, of course—but we also recognize the student who improved their GPA by half a point or the athlete who came off the bench and gave it their all.
Our coaching staff and teachers work closely to reinforce this mindset across all aspects of student life. We use shared language around grit, growth mindset, and perseverance. We host conversations about the power of “yet” (“I can’t do this… yet”), and we model what it looks like to keep going when the going gets tough.
When students know that their effort matters—and that adults in their lives see and value that effort—they’re more likely to develop the internal motivation that drives real growth.
Athletics as a Training Ground for Life Skills
Sports offer a built-in structure for teaching some of the most important life skills: time management, teamwork, accountability, emotional regulation. A student who commits to early morning practices and still turns in their homework on time is learning balance. A player who learns to accept constructive feedback from a coach is more prepared to accept critique in a job interview.
But we can’t take these lessons for granted. We must be intentional about drawing the connection between athletics and life beyond the game. Coaches, teachers, and school leaders all play a role in reinforcing the bigger picture: this isn’t just about the sport. It’s about who you’re becoming in the process.
Supporting Student-Athletes Holistically
Balancing school and sports can be incredibly challenging for students, especially in high school. That’s why we’ve put structures in place to support student-athletes holistically. From flexible tutoring options to mental health support, our goal is to help students thrive—not burn out.
We also train our coaches and staff to be sensitive to the unique pressures these students face. A bad game or a poor grade can feel overwhelming. But when students know they have adults who believe in them—who see them as more than their performance—they’re better equipped to bounce back.
The Principal’s Role: Modeling Grit and Grace
As school leaders, we must model the same grit we ask of our students. That means admitting when something isn’t working, asking for feedback, and showing resilience in the face of challenges. It also means leading with grace—knowing when to push and when to pause, when to hold the line and when to offer a lifeline.
I often draw from my own experiences as both an athlete and a business professional when making tough decisions or guiding staff through change. The same principles apply: stay focused, stay disciplined, and don’t let short-term setbacks derail long-term vision.
Redefining What It Means to Win
At the end of the day, I want every student who walks through our doors to understand that “winning” isn’t about trophies or test scores. It’s about becoming someone who doesn’t give up, someone who learns from adversity, and someone who brings their best effort—win or lose.
That’s the kind of victory that stays with you long after the scoreboard is cleared.
Let’s build schools where grit is valued, effort is celebrated, and every student learns how to win beyond the scoreboard.