Coastin Carl
National STUDENT-ATHLETE Day ORIGIN & HISTORY
President Ronald Reagan helped to make NSAD possible as the National Consortium for Athletics and Sports (NCAS) created National STUDENT-ATHLETE Day in 1995 and is celebrated on the 6th Day in April. This is a day to give a huge salute to students that participate in sports. This means the students understand the importance of maintaining good grades as well as what it takes to be part of their team playing athletics.
These students are often known for contributing, helping, and volunteering in their communities. Students should participate in their team sport, get a GPA of 3.0 or better, and participate in community services. Those that do all three can receive an award from the NCAS and will be allowed in National Collegiate Association (NCAA) sports provided they continue to meet academic standards.
Other RECOGNITION
Cheer on a student-athlete in your area. Although students that do well in school and also participate in non-competitive exercises deserve some respect as well as it’s not easy. They don’t officially get celebrated the way student-athletes do. But it goes without saying that they should receive credit for nourishing their physical well-being through physical activity and honoring non-competitive sports.
Exercise, in general, helps the mind and emotions. It’s also linked to improved grades. In primary school most youngsters meet physical exercise requirements; sadly once students get into middle school, as higher adolescents they develop unhealthy habits. They eat poor-quality fast food and become inactive. This contributes to excess weight and obesity. So whether or not a teenager is a student-athlete or simply does another form of exercise … they both should be commemorated. Even as youths, lack of exercise still causes higher blood pressure, blood lipids, and elevated plasma insulin.
Many student-athletes don’t go on to play sports at the collegiate level. Even still it’s very beneficial because students are participating in sports and kicking some good academic butt in school. This sets students up for success. They make great role models and develop leadership skills this way. Exercise sets a positive frame of mind. Students also learn to work well and discover how to cooperate with others. These students deserve extra credit for their effort in their achievements.
HOW to Celebrate & Observe National STUDENT-ATHLETE Day?
Not sure how to LOVE the day? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.
Here are some activities that you can do on National STUDENT-ATHLETE Day!
💙 ATTEND a game or two
Go to a local middle or high school game and support neighborhood student-athletes. It could even be at the college or university level. It could even be the alma mater you’ve never gotten around to going back and revisiting your formative years. And if not, there are always intramural or co-ed games on the weekends thriving about at local community centers.
💙 NOMINATE & Support
You can nominate a worthy student in your eyes for a Student-Athlete Award. The Institute for Sport and Social Justice has NSAD Award Certificates & silicone wristbands you can request and give out. They even have the Giant Steps Awards which recognize student-athletes, coaches, and civic leaders who have shown courage, heroism, triumph, and community activism through sports as honorees on a national level.
💙 PAY for some gear
If you have a student-athlete, a child, or someone you know that wants to try out being an athlete, then why not help spring for new gear. Some new sneakers, a lacrosse ball & stick, softball cleats, or a volleyball to practice with would be nice.
💙 RAISE Social Awareness
Use social media posts with the hashtags #NationalStudentAthleteDay, #StudentAthleteDay, #StudentAthletes, #SpecialInterestHolidays, #AprilHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you ❤️ National STUDENT-ATHLETE Day.
LEARN more about the benefits/disadvantages of being a STUDENT-ATHLETE
THINKING ABOUT BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE?
FIVE Important Facts you never knew about National STUDENT-ATHLETE Day
- 1852 was the year intercollegiate sports started in America. Yale and Harvard first engaged in the sport of rowing.
- The National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) began in 1937.
- Students get honored on National STUDENT-ATHLETE Day by maintaining a 3.0 GPA or better. In other words, using their brainpower while playing team sports at a collegiate level using physical power.
- Being a student-athlete means balancing schoolwork and sports, which can be challenging but also very rewarding!
- Some notable athletes who’ve been recognized as National Student-Athlete of the Year include Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow, and Lisa Leslie.
Famous PEOPLE also born on April 6th
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John Ratzenberger
American actor best known for his roles in the NBC comedy series Cheers and voicing an animated character in every single Pixar Animation Studios film (22 total) until he retired to focus on other projects. Born 1947.
JOHN RATZENBERGER Quote
“Find people who share your values, and you’ll conquer the world together.”
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Paul Rudd
American actor with an affinity for working with director Judd Apatow and best known for his roles in the NBC sitcom Friends and as Ant-Man in the MCU. He has a distinctive, instinctual, and witty comedic timing as the “everyman”. Born 1969.
PAUL RUDD Quote
“You can make a lot of mistakes with hair because it grows back.”
“Nothing is ever cut-and-dried. There’s anguish behind everything.”
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Peyton List
American actress and tween model best known for her roles in Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Disney Channel, and most recently a reforming badass in the Netflix series Cobra Kai. Don’t confuse her with the older Peyton List of CW fame 🙄. Born 1998.
PEYTON LIST Quote
“Embrace your flaws.”
Future DATES for National STUDENT-ATHLETE Day
| Year | Date | Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 6 | Thursday |
| 2024 | April 6 | Saturday |
| 2025 | April 6 | Sunday |
| 2026 | April 6 | Monday |
| 2027 | April 6 | Tuesday |
Student-Athlete FAQ
Wanna get to know a Student-Athlete? Start by asking them some of the questions below!
- What do student-athlete daily SCHEDULES look like?
- How do they BALANCE their daily routine?
- How many HOURS do they put into both their sport and academics?
- What are student-athletes’ GOALS?
- What are some reasons why they like being part of a TEAM?
- How has being part of a team sport helped them to develop as a PERSON?
- What do they do to stay FOCUSED on doing well in sports and school work?
Why we L💜VE National STUDENT-ATHLETE Day
Student athleticism shows dedication by playing well in sports. It’s also a chance to develop school and community pride. We commend them for their achievements in the sport(s) they practice. After all many can’t just stop at one sport :). These students must dedicate themselves to being part of their team. They deserve some sort of acknowledgment for what they contribute to their community, working hard at practicing athletic skills as a team sports athlete, as well as academic accomplishments by getting good grades.
Thank a student-athlete today or a student that engages in physical exercise that also strives to maintain good grades. They’re worthy of being appreciated for all their efforts – just like my niece Kenzie Lou!
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