The presence of student-athletes continues to grow in Newton County as each high school implements ways for students to excel in the classroom and in their respective sports.

One constant among the schools in the effort to prioritize the “student” in student-athlete to ensure athlete’s are not held back due to their academics.

Thomas Lowe, Alcovy High School’s athletic director, discussed his mindset when it comes to building the foundation for Alcovy’s student-athletes.

“You have to have your players eligible to have the best chance of winning. So what I always try to do is come from the standpoint of eligibility,” Lowe said. “That is the first thing, because that is the immediate thing that hits them. If the student is performing well academically, the student will probably lose their eligibility.”

The Tigers have seen many athletes sign national letters of intent to continue their athletic and academic careers at the next level.

Lowe sees this as an opportunity to change the culture in the school by showcasing what is possible for each student.

“We definitely want to increase upon it in terms of getting more athletes in college,” Lowe said. “I want every student at Alcovy to have an opportunity to have those opportunities at the next level.”

“We are trying to create a new standard. Not just for the academic program, but for the school as a whole. And I think that has become a little more contagious.”

Eastside athletic director, Champ Young, shared his insight on how the Eagles view the student-athlete experience.

“Student-wise, I think our teachers do such an amazing job already of providing the best educational experience you can have in this area. That goes for all students, not just student-athletes. From an athlete’s experience, you have in my opinion, some of the top coaches in the area as well pouring their passions into some great young people.”

Tania Menchaca, Alcovy’s valedictorian, is a student-athlete. Menchaca excelled in the classroom along with being a key part of the Tigers’ girls soccer team.

Lowe hopes that Menchaca’s achievements in both being a student and an athlete can motivate and encourage others at Alcovy.

“I was a student-athlete myself and I have worked with many student-athletes. One of the things I always say is, ‘People always try to come up with reasons to why they can’t, [or] why it has to be academics or athletics [and] they come up with reasons why they can’t do what’s necessary in both the classroom and on the field,’” Lowe said. “This is just a testament to show that it can happen. I think it’s important for students to see. When people say things can’t happen, I like to show them that it can happen when you put your mind to it.”

Another system that the schools have implemented to ensure athletes’ success in the classroom is grade check-ins and tutoring programs.

“Most of our coaches have grade checkpoints they hit on,” Young said. “I know many of them have standards they have already set in their own programs where if grades get to a certain point, they will limit participation for that athlete because at the end of the day, we try to have our kids who are celebrated on the athletic side also be pillars as far as model students. That means they need to perform well in the classroom.” 

Young made sure to give extra credit to his coaching staff at Eastside.

“We have amazing coaches that build relationships with the kids to make them understand what it takes to get to the next level,” Young said. “Not just from an athletic standpoint, but you have to have the GPA as well. I really tip my cap to the coaches for the work they do with the student athletes they have.”

Lowe recognized the challenges that can come with being a student-athlete, but he hopes that students will embrace the challenge head on.

“They’re going to have to struggle through some things — in terms of balancing athletics with academics. I always tell students, “The better their grades are, the better opportunities they will have.’ I want them [to have] an opportunity to experience success. I want them to experience challenges because life is going to present challenges. If they learn how to overcome challenges now, it will make it easier for them to overcome challenges later.”