Subj: Petition from Swansboro High School Student-Athletes to the Interscholastic Athletics Independent Appeals Board

 

We, the student-athletes of Swansboro High School, respectfully submit this petition to the NC State Board of Education and Interscholastic Athletics Independent Appeals Board to express our concerns regarding the recent NCHSAA realignment and its impact on our education, health, and extracurricular experiences.

 

Our Concerns as Students Involved in Athletics:

 

     1.  Loss of Instructional Time:

 

Long travel distances for games and performances mean we miss valuable class time. Balancing our extracurricular commitments with academics is already challenging, and missing classes for extended periods makes it harder to keep up with assignments, tests, and projects, affecting our grades and future opportunities.

 

2. Physical and Mental Fatigue:

 

Traveling over 75 miles one-way for games often means returning home late at night, leaving us exhausted for the next school day. This constant fatigue affects our performance in the classroom, on the field, and during performances, as well as our mental health and well-being.

 

3.  Limited Family and Community Support:

 

Long-distance travel makes it difficult for our families and friends to attend games, reducing the support and encouragement that are essential to our morale and success. Performing and competing without the presence of our biggest supporters takes a toll on our confidence and overall experience.

 

4. Safety Concerns:

 

Extended travel increases the risk of accidents, especially when traveling late at night after events. Our safety should be a top priority, and long trips on buses with limited resources put us at unnecessary risk. Note, many of us drive home from our school after returning from the game.  This puts us at higher risk of accidents as relatively inexperienced drivers.

 

5. Financial Impact: 

 

Increased travel costs not only burden our school’s programs but also limit opportunities for some of us whose families may struggle to afford travel for away events. We fear that these financial strains may lead to fewer resources for our teams in the future.

 

6. Need for Fair Consideration:

 

We believe the realignment process overlooked important factors like travel time, student well-being, and available resources. We respectfully request a pause on the current plan and a thorough, independent study that considers all factors before making decisions that affect our education, health, and extracurricular future.

 

We love representing Swansboro High School in athletics, but we believe this realignment puts our success, safety, and well-being at risk. We ask the Interscholastic Athletics Independent Appeals Board to reconsider this plan for the sake of all students involved in extracurricular activities.

 

Sincerely,

The student-athletes of Swansboro High School