By GEORGE MAHL

I recently received something in the mail from the Louisiana High School Athletic Association.

I thought it was information on an upcoming sports awards banquet or something along those lines. Well, it turned out to be a comprehensive list of high school student-athletes who were recently named to the LHSAA All-State, All-Academic Team.

I went through pages and pages finding several student-athletes with perfect 4.00 grade point averages. The list was composed of student-athletes carrying a 3.0 GPA or higher.

However, at this time, only members of the football and volleyball teams were included. I was shocked at how many of these young men and women achieved greatness not only in their chosen sport, but also in the classroom.

I then noticed their were several players attending River Parishes high schools who were included on the list. With a yellow sharpie marker in my hand, I began highlighting the names and schools of the local student-athletes.

It was amazing at how many were included on the list. Six out of the nine area high schools had players included on the list. Being a student-athlete is difficult in itself.

But I can only imagine how difficult it must be to maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher while having an extra-curricular activity. Last fall, I interviewed a local volleyball player who told me her moto was “Schoolwork or no work.”

With peer pressure and other things going on in a young person’s life these days, just being a student can be a difficult job.

Multiply all of that with the fact student-athletes need to organize their time properly. Sometimes I don’t know how they do it. Here is an example of what the day in the life of a student-athlete may be like.

First, they attend classes from maybe 7:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. During the day, an instructor may tell them about an upcoming test in the next day or so. It’s 2:30 p.m. and time to go home, do homework, then come back to get on the bus and play a game.

The game may end at 9 p.m., but they may not get back for another half-hour or so. Two days later, it’s the same routine.

I think everyone should be aware of their dedication and hard work, while at the same time maintaining a positive attitude.

GEORGE MAHL is a sportswriter and he may be reached at 985-652-9545 or lobnews@bellsouth.net.