Stuyvesant’s Stunted Sports Culture

When one thinks of Stuyvesant, the first thing that comes to mind is probably not sports. That’s understandable—Stuyvesant is known for its academic rigor above all else. Instead of looking at athletics as contradictory to Stuyvesant’s academic reputation, we should recognize them as an extension of it—another example of Stuyvesant students’ boundless talent and willpower to succeed. We are proud of our school, and part of that should mean caring more about our athletic culture. Currently, our sports spirit runs from almost nonexistent to largely unacknowledged. The issue isn’t a lack of participation in sports but a lack of interest in attending Stuyvesant sports games. Though hundreds of students show up to football games, when it comes to more niche events, fans are sparse. While Stuyvesant students have busy schedules, we should collectively make more of an effort to support student-athletes; after all, on the field, they embody the values all of us strive to emulate in the classroom: motivation, determination, and resilience. Athletes serve as representatives of Stuyvesant, regardless of whether they win or lose.

In addition to students making an effort to appreciate athletes, faculty members should try to be more accommodating. Understandably, it can be frustrating for teachers when students consistently miss their 9th- or 10th-period classes to compete in games. While these concerns are valid, it is important to remember that student-athletes are not deliberately skipping class. In fact, many student-athletes have expressed frustration regarding the poor scheduling of PSAL games that forces them to leave school early. These students have to put in extra effort to learn the material taught in their absence, which is not ideal for any of the involved parties. Thus, in these situations, teachers should recognize that students are juggling athletics with academics. The skills athletes learn on the sports field—such as teamwork, responsibility, and leadership—can facilitate not only a more cohesive team but also a more collaborative classroom environment. Offering students a simple “Good luck!” or “You’ve got this!” before a game can foster a stronger student-teacher relationship and remind athletes that their efforts are seen and valued.

Stuyvesant has taken a step toward amplifying sports culture through the Stuyvesant Athletic Association (SAA), a new club that works with the administration to host school sports events such as Homecoming and the new Sports Banquet. In addition, SAA manages the @StuySports Instagram account, which has garnered significant student attention since its inception last year. While SAA has significantly increased interest in Stuyvesant’s PSAL sports, it still has a long way to go. Funding is one hurdle for the organization; while SAA was able to host and cater the Spring Sports Banquet without entry fees thanks to funding from the school administration, SAA’s rising expenses have forced it to charge entry fees at events like the student-teacher volleyball game. Establishing a paywall continues to drive down engagement at a school where many students come from low-income backgrounds or prioritize academic extracurriculars over athletics. SAA attempts to establish a greater sense of sports community and culture, but that cannot be done without support from the administration and students alike. 

What makes Stuyvesant sports teams admirable is not their victories but their unwavering dedication. As such, let’s celebrate student-athletes and cheer them on as representatives of Stuyvesant students’ resilience within and beyond the classroom. Every word of encouragement carries considerable value, and while your small messages may feel meaningless to you, they tell student-athletes that you recognize their hard work.