The life of a student-athlete can be crazy.

The away games when we don’t get home till 10 p.m., the home matches when they lose to a close rival or even when the athlete is sore or injured and it’s hard to fall asleep at night.

But being a student-athlete is something that lasts a lifetime.

Looking back, we will remember the bus rides, the practices and winning the big games.

We’ll also remember the friends who double as teammates we get to spend it with.

High school sports can be the best years of your life.

According to scholarshipstats.com, only 7.6 percent of high school athletes will play collegiate sports.

So for most people, high school sports is the highest level of athletics they will reach.

Seymour High School Assistant Principal Talmadge Reasoner said about 350 students are involved in athletics at the high school.

Student always comes before athlete, so the dedication to go to all practices and still get their work done on time is non-negotiable.

Students have to keep their eye on the prize and take care of their school work so they are eligible to play.

The rule is if a player has three or more failing grades on their grade report, he or she is not allowed to participate in sports.

SHS junior volleyball and softball player Sophia Stahl said her life is a balancing act.

Stahl will get done with a volleyball game and immediately start working on her accelerated chemistry or med term.

“There’s some nights when I would just love to go to sleep, but I know I would regret not having all my work done at school,” Stahl said.

The biggest part of high school sports is the school spirit it instills in students.

The players not only play for themselves or the team, but they play for the school they attend. They give their fans a team to cheer on.

There’s no “I” in team.

Senior tennis player Adam Berry said his most memorable high school memory is winning sectional for tennis his freshman, junior and senior years for his school and his teammates and not for himself.

Athletes are expected go to every practice and give maximum effort to become the best they can be.

Not only do they improve their skills as an athlete, they learn to work with teammates and develop as a team.

Student-athletes gain skills they will use the rest of their life.

Being a student-athlete also tests your time management skills, like trying to get everything done and still get enough sleep for the day tomorrow.

“Education-based athletics provide opportunities where ethical values, such as responsibility, loyalty, honesty and respect for others, can be developed,” SHS Athletic Director Kirk Manns said.

“Just to scratch the surface, athletic participation can teach you how to set goals, how to work with others, how to sacrifice, how to manage your time, how to respect others and how to be responsible. Participation often improves grades, attendance and eating habits. Participation often decreases anxiety and depression. Participation can build self-esteem and character. I guess the question is how can you afford not to participate?”

Being an athlete will improve your social relationships.

By playing sports, you will make the best of friends. Good and bad moments will be shared together and memories that will never be forgotten.

Younger kids in the community will recognize and look up to their favorite student-athletes, keeping the tradition alive.

Brandon Terrell is a senior student-athlete at Seymour High School. He is the sports editor for The Owl.