Celebrated every year on April 6th, National Student Athlete Day recognizes the hard work and dedication of student athletes everywhere. This day celebrates the unique combination of academics and athletics that student athletes embody.
Are you a student athlete? Or do you know a student athlete to celebrate?
History of National Student-Athlete Day
Created in 1987, National Student Athlete Day honors the achievements of high school and college athletes who excel in both academics and athletics. The National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) founded this day to celebrate the positive impact that student athletes have on their schools and communities.
Today, National Student Athlete Day is celebrated in all 50 states and around the world. Each year, NCAS recognizes a select group of student athletes who have achieved excellence in both academics and athletics.
The day has also gained the support of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Student athletes that have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and who are involved in community service are often honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C..
What is a Student Athlete?
The term “student athlete” can be misleading. It is not just a student who happens to play a sport, but one who has dedicated himself or herself to both academics and athletics. A student athlete balances hard course work with practices, games, and travel. They often have long hours and little free time.
Student athletes are an inspiration to their classmates and community. They demonstrate the importance of hard work, dedication, and teamwork. By setting a good example both on and off the field, they are leaders in their schools and communities.
According to the NCAA, as of 2020 nearly eight million students currently participate in high school athletics in the United States. More than 480,000 compete as NCAA athletes, and just a select few within each sport move on to compete at the professional or Olympic level.
How to Celebrate National Student Athlete’s Day
National Student Athlete Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of student athletes everywhere. Celebrate with some or all of the tips below:
- Attend an event or ceremony honoring outstanding student athletes.
- Watch a college or high school sports game and cheer on the athletes.
- Read about or watch coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.
- Share stories of your favorite student athletes on social media using the hashtag #nationalstudentathleteday.
- Donate to an organization that supports high school or college athletics.
On National Student Athlete Day, we celebrate the outstanding contributions that student athletes make to their schools and communities. These young people work hard in the classroom and on the playing field, and they are an inspiration to all of us.