Advisory council established to give a voice to student-athletes

When it comes to making plays, scoring points, and winning games, our student-athletes give us plenty of exciting things to talk about. Now, we are giving a listen to what they have to say about being involved in sports.

Gaston County Schools has established the Student-Athlete Advisory Council.  It is a group of 20 student-athletes – two from each high school with sports teams – that meets quarterly and gives insight into what it means to be a student-athlete.  County athletic director Chad Duncan is supervising the group, and he says it is a way for students to have a seat at the table and a bigger voice in athletics.

“We want our student-athletes to be able to grow, learn, be involved, and represent their school both on and off the field,” said Duncan.  “In addition to encouraging student-athletes to make a positive impact in all that they do, the Council is intended to help teachers, coaches, and principals gain a deeper understanding of what it is like to be a student-athlete in the classroom and in sports.  By talking and learning from our student-athletes, we will be able to provide them with a more enriching experience, which will be a win-win for everyone involved.”

During the Council’s initial meeting, the students identified leadership qualities that should be important to athletes, including integrity, accountability, respect, communication, working hard, setting a good example, encouraging and supporting teammates, being coachable, and having a team player attitude.  They also discussed ways to make a difference, share their perspectives, engage non-sports minded students in athletics, and create a stronger sense of community.

The students also worked together to draft a code of sportsmanship and want to have a statement read over the public address system at all games that addresses the importance of sportsmanship among everyone involved in sports, from the athletes and coaches to the parents and spectators.

Duncan said he was encouraged by what he saw at the first meeting, and the students seemed excited about the opportunity to be seen, offer input, and have a voice.  The Council’s next meeting is in October.

Here is a list of the high school students on the Gaston County Schools Student-Athlete Advisory Council: Andi Ballard and Jonathan Moore, Ashbrook; Brayden Moss and Gabriella Prusley, Bessemer City; Raylei Gidney and Talon Dalton, Cherryville; Kailyn Campbell and Chris Wurster, Stuart W. Cramer; Cooper Payne and Zane Dodd, East Gaston; Mattie Queen and Isaac Aycock, Forestview; Carsyn Redmond and Jack Bryant, Highland; Israel Aladekoba, Hunter Huss; Hayden Routhier and Camden Kanupp, North Gaston; and Rowen Trexler and Rex Dover, South Point.