By Grace Hawkins

“Play it smart!” yells Coach from the sidelines. We’re losing our cool as well as the game, and she is not happy about it. I crouch low and keep my hands outstretched as I eye the server. I know the drill, get the ball over and in. Cheat back because you know the serve is coming deep. Side passes to back corners, don’t try to spike and risk messing up. Play it safe. Send the ball straight to the hole in their setup, or right at their weakest player. Play it smart…

The stereotype of the “dumb jock” is one immortalized by unrealistic portrayals of high school in movies, books, and tv shows. It is the basis of the high-school archetype: the pretty girl head-over-heels for the mean, dumb jock, but who ends up with the sensitive nerd.

Though the “dumb jock” character is excellent for simple plot development, this stereotype is an incorrect portrayal of real-life, current day athletes. The simple truth is: you have to be smart to be successful. This is a pattern of life that doesn’t stop at the gym door. Successful athletes understand critical thinking, understand strategy and cause and effect. They think under pressure, problem-solve as they gasp for air and feel hot sweat trickle down their necks. Cheat back because you know the serve is deep. Side passes to back corners… Whether the quarterback passes to a receiver or hands it off to a running back, whether a soccer player makes a pass or takes the shot, whether a basketball player goes for three-pointer or a layup…sports simply require too much critical thinking for a “dumb jock” to find success.

While sports inherently require athletes to problem-solve, APS athletic policy also requires athletes to be successful students. All players must meet an annual quota of class credits in order to play, putting all athletes on the path to graduation. Classes taken by Grady athletes range from required academic classes to multiple Advanced Placement classes. The “dumb jock” stereotype has no place the modern day world of intelligent young athletes.

Athleticism is moving players on the field, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent’s team as well as your own. It brings logic, problem-solving and abstract thinking into physically challenging activities. Students who participate in sports must use these skills in addition to their athletic talents in order to be successful.