It’s a common stereotype that athletes are just that: athletes. People sometimes think they put sports above academics, which in some cases may be true. However, the district is trying to change that reputation.

In addition to the stricter outlook the district is taking towards academics, some coaches have their own ways of dealing with athletes struggling academically.

“In wrestling, the coaches have an exercise called ‘Dancing with the Dummy’ that people have to do after practice if they haven’t kept their grades up,” senior wrestler and football player Andrew Van Holland said. The exercise consists of lifting, running, or carrying a 130 lb. awkwardly shaped dummy.

One team that had problems keeping up with the academic policy was the freshman volleyball team. When many on the team were given academic warnings, the entire team had to sit out of practice.

“We all had to sit out of practice and go to the media center to talk to teachers,” freshman Gabby Fangman said.

Along with these new requirements, some coaches hold even higher requirements for their athletes.

“I require students to have a C or better in all classes, which is more stringent than the school’s policy,” soccer coach Arlan Vomhof said. “But I will work with them while they are getting that grade up. School work comes first, and playing a sport is a privilege.”

Similarly, football players are expected to get their grades up by the Wednesday before a game, instead of Friday, which is what the district requires.

These different expectations have gotten a variety of responses from players.

“I think that if [grades] are that big of a problem, the rules should be changed for the entire school, not just that sport,” sophomore soccer player Taylor Hunter said. “The requirements should all be consistent, no matter what sport you play.”

On the other hand, Van Holland thinks a coach should have the ability to have their own expectations.

“It’s a coach enforcing the policy and making sure there’s no risk of ineligibility and that you’re doing your job to help the rest of the team,” Van Holland said.

With more and more students being affected by the stricter policies, teams have had to adjust to different rotations and lineups.

“When we had players [become ineligible] for volleyball, some back row people had to step up and hit, we had to move positions around, and change the rotations,” Fangman said.

Despite some of the issues with having stricter academic expectations, coaches and athletes alike can agree that it is important to emphasize good grades.

“Being able to perform in the classroom goes along with performing on the field,” Van Holland said. “If you don’t get good enough grades, you won’t have the opportunity to help your teammates.”

Vomhof agrees that having good grades is essential.

“Athletes need to have good grades because they are role models for others,” Vomhof said. “They don’t realize how much both younger kids and peers look up to them.”

While there have been some improvements visible in student’s overall grades, Mann thinks there may be a downside if the rules both enforced by the school and by coaches become too strict.

“The intent is good,” Mann said. “My concern is that there will be students who have are struggling so much that they won’t challenge themselves just to get the easy A.”