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12/21/07 It has been a tumultuous year in sports when many of the top stories have involved star quarterbacks going to jail and superstar athletes facing federal grand jury charges. And of course, "Steroid Gate" and the Mitchell report have dominated headlines as well. But as far as the MHSAA is concerned, it was another great year for HS athletics and it is only in America that academics and athletics are intertwined so tightly. That's a good thing and here's why: A recent study revealed that over 90% of corporate executives played high school sports. Over 250,000 student/athletes participate in HS sports in Michigan and right here in Novi, over 700 students comprise over 20 teams in at least 13 different sports. Statistical data now shows that athletes have a higher graduation rate, higher test scores, a higher cumulative GPA, more go onto college, and they have less absenteeism rates as well. These studies have also indicated that HS athletes are less likely to experiment with controlled substances or illegal drugs. Participation in athletics is no longer considered extracurricular. They are now considered to be an integral part of the educational process, and their ideological purpose is to prepare our youth for the future. For some Novi graduates, their future was now when you examine this past year: - 2007 Novi HS grad Stephanie Janssens earned a starting spot for Eastern Michigan University on the Women's Soccer team in her freshman season and ended up leading the team in assists while scoring 3 goals as well. - 2005 Novi HS grad Ryan Pritchard has been the long snapper on the football team for Princeton University since his freshman campaign when he earned the Lourie award as the team's top freshman offensive player. - 2002 Novi HS grad Micki Rzepka has made the US Olympic Bobsled team for 2008. This, after competing in track and field as a pole vaulter at MSU. - 2000 Novi HS grad Mitch Maier continues his quest to become an every-day Major Leaguer with the Kansas City Royals. He's already had one trip to the big leagues in 2006, and had a couple of key hits against the Detroit Tigers right here in Comerica Park. So while the world of sport has seen its share of crazy headlines this past season, an undeniable fact still remains: The vast majority of athletes lead honorable lives and in this country the opportunity to combine athletics and academics still serves a purpose for the greater good. Especially here in Novi... Happy Holidays! (c) 2007 Novi
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