Eliana Weinstein
Staff Writer
Barrack is a place where hard work is strongly encouraged, proven by the rigorous double curriculum. However, Barrack students’ hard work often goes beyond the classroom and onto the field. But, how important are Barrack sports to players, coaches, and the larger community?
With 70% of the student body playing at least one sport, 32 varying options to participate in, and ten PJAA Championships in the past three years, it is evident at first glance that Barrack strives for competitive excellence in athletics. While this is true, let's get personal, what do sports really mean to student athletes?
In an interview with a current varsity softball player, Catie Broker ‘24, I asked, “What has Barrack sports taught you?” With almost no hesitation she responds, “Barrack sports teaches me to be willing to try, be willing to fail, and be willing to learn.” Current Varsity baseball student athlete, Jay Goldberg ‘24 was asked the very same question, and he noted, “Barrack athletics have taught [him] the importance of sportsmanship - both to players on the team, and towards the opponents.”
The players are just one small part of the sports culture at Barrack, as coaches who work up close with the players are able to understand the Barrack sports culture as well. In an interview with varsity golf coach Aaron Silver, I asked him what his view of the goal of Barrack athletics is, and his response was as follows, “Sports provide an opportunity for our students to grow and have fun with the community, outside of the classroom.” However, playing sports does not come without its challenges. Learning to balance school while playing a sport can be tricky. When I questioned three different high school student athletes about how challenging it is to miss class at the end of the day for sports, they all responded similarly. They agreed that missing class can cause them to feel stressed, and even feel behind their peers who do not miss class. However, with hard work and determination, these three Barrack athletes agreed that you can overcome these hurdles if you frequently meet with teachers and stay focused when you are fortunate enough to be in class during the day.
Overall, Barrack sports are an active, competitive, and fun extracurricular that any Barrack student of any skill level can participate in. The Barrack community of non-student athletes, teachers, administrators, family, and friends also contribute to the sports culture by constantly coming to cheer on our Cougars. I am so thankful that Barrack has allowed me a positive space to play an array of sports. To all the student athletes reading this, I acknowledge that you are putting in hard work to succeed both on the field and in the classroom. Keep it up!
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