Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Athletics topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bedford athletics: 278 preseason Academic All-Americans; district offers 22 competitive sports
Summary
Director of Athletics JC Commander reported 278 preseason Academic All-Americans (GPA 3.0+ counted per sport), 22 interscholastic sports across middle and high school and a no-pay-to-play policy maintained through disciplined funding.
JC Commander, director of athletics, presented athletics participation and academic metrics for Bedford High and Heskett Middle School.
Commander said the district offers 22 interscholastic competitive sports across the two buildings (16 offered at both levels) and is a member of the Lake Erie League. He described a preseason Academic All-American recognition for athletes who enter a season with a 3.0 GPA or better; the district’s count across three seasons currently totals 278 entries, though Commander noted some students are multi-sport athletes and are counted per sport.
Commander said the district’s intramural programs are an important feeder into interscholastic teams (25 participants in intramural football camps and 85 in volleyball) and that remaining a no-pay-to-play district remains a budget priority so multiple-sport athletes are not financially burdened.
“Student comes first between student and athletes,” Commander said, summarizing the athletics department’s focus on academics and participation.
Why it matters: Athletic programs interact with academics, community engagement and district budget priorities. The preseason GPA recognition and no-pay-to-play policy were emphasized as measures to keep academics a focus and reduce barriers to participation.
Ending: Commander said athletics enrollment and academic indicators are signs the department is growing and encouraged community support.
