The football team showed that they were ready to start the year off strong by having all 115 players of the football team wear their jerseys for the first day of school. No, the jerseys were not a fashion statement but a requirement made by the new team policy. The policy requires all football players to occupy a seat in the first two rows of their classrooms.
Many of the players on the team were struggling with time management and with their grades. With the amount of time the players were dedicating to football they were having a hard time finding time to dedicate to their academics. So in collaboration with parents, athletes, teachers and administration this policy was created to help the players improve their time management skills and achieve acceptable grades so that they can fully participate in their sport.
“Kids that sat in the “T” zone of the classroom had better grades than those kids that sat in the back of the classroom, therefore I want my players sitting in the front two rows to keep them from chatting with their friends and texting on the phone during class instruction time to put them in a position to be successful,” said Head Coach Mark Haye.
Selective seating is not the only thing that has been done to assist some of the players in their academic careers. Coach Haye has also implemented a study hall every Wednesday and Thursday after school for all players. During this time players can make up work or get extra help after school. Also on Fridays the players are not required to report back to school till four o’clock, giving them time to make up tests and assignments or go for help. Also a grade check sheet has been given to all players that must be filled out by each of their teachers.
“My goal is to have every player earn all A’s and B’s. I want the football team’s GPA to be the highest GPA in Pinellas County. These policies should help the players, their parents and the teachers. The administration has been very supportive and we have exceptional teachers here at Palm Harbor that will go the extra mile for all students,” said Haye