This year, a new district wide sports policy was announced regarding academic standing, and is to be strictly enforced. The policy has brought a mix of reactions from North high athletes.

      The new district wide sports policy ensures that all athletes are in good academic standing each week of competition. All teachers are now permitted to update grades weekly for every student. Coaches are also permitted to check all of their athletes grades weekly. If it is discovered that an athlete is failing four or more classes, coaches are required to withhold the student from participating in an athletic activity until their grades are up  to passing. Students are then to attend a mandatory study hall on Wednesday evenings.

Previously, the only academic rules were a student had to pass five classes (not counting Advocacy or Tower Time) the previous semester to be eligible.

There have been a mix of reactions to this new policy among the student body.  Former tennis player Junior Analisa Trujillo thinks it’s a fair deal.

“Sports are run through an educational institution. If you’re going to put all this effort into athletics then just as much thought should be put into academics,” she said.

 Senior Raven Cheater disagrees with the new sports policy.  

“Not everyone excels at the academic side of school, and athletics are their opportunity to feel like a star,” she said.

Baseball Coach Randy Griffitts thinks the policy is long overdue.

“It takes a lot of pressure off of the coaches to create their own academic policy.”

       The new sports policy has been enforced district wide and ensures that all athletes are owning up to their educational responsibilities before athletic ones. Although this policy has brought about a mix of positive and negative reactions throughout the student body, it’s here to stay.