Every student at Goffstown High School has a five days a week school day schedule, starting classes at 7:56 and having the last bell at 2:41. That’s a six hour school day, Monday through Friday. Now athletes add an extra weekend practice and another two to even three hours to those school days either late at night or early in the morning for some sports. The importance of practice is crucial to any team that wants to grow and hone their skills, but these student athletes are pushed to pretty hard and rigorous extremes. For example, if you had school (six hours) then practice (two hours) and still had to get homework for two of your classes done (add in another two hours) that leaves you at 10:00 PM overworked, drained and completely exhausted and you just have to suck it up and do it again.

Don’t forget everyone’s got a home life, however stressful that may be, athletes are really stretched thin while they are in season. I believe that practice is important but needs to be more manageable. Even if that means practice can’t go later than 7:00 PM or even just taking a few days off. I feel that the time and energy an athlete puts in should be noticed and rewarded with time off or even just less time at the school. Understandably, athletes will do whatever it takes to be better, and if it’s being at the school an extra two to four hours more is what it takes to achieve those athletic goals that’s what it takes.