Athletics and Colleges Students in the United States go to school to get an education, of course. However, athletics is heavily involved and influenced in the education system. The purpose of incorporating sports into school is to teach students morals, ethics, good behavior, exercise, social skills and motivation for attendance. Recreational sports have evolved into the curriculum through class periods for practices, practices, games, and after-school pep rallies. A student may participate in such sports based on attendance, grades and behavior alone. Athletes will not be permitted to participate if they do not meet school and coach expectations and standards. Even though there is a lot of support from the communities, students are given the opportunity to be commanded to achieve. The influence on behavior comes from hard work and discipline to achieve victory and popularity. Community involvement and media create a desire for students to work hard, which requires them to attend school every class and learn information (Child Trends). Sounds like a lot, right? Behave well, work hard every day during training and, most importantly, study. Amanda Ripley, a writer for the New York Times website, wrote on the topic stating that sports distract and mislead all students involved or not in athletics. Interviewing exchange students, Ripley says, “When I interviewed former exchange students about their impressions of America, 9 out of 10 said that teenagers here care more about sports than their peers at home.” Included was a statement from a German student who had studied in the United States: "Doing well in sports was, in the United States, as important as having good grades." (Ripley). The importance and influence of performing well in sports can create a reality of fame, wealth, and enjoyment for a student athlete's future. As a community, the United States has media that showcases the lifestyle of athletic looks and converts it into several lines revolving around his life, including his training for the Denver Broncos and one that is extremely relevant: "Nothing like that 'new car smell'. This ad shows what it's like to be an athletic super star. What student wouldn't want to live a life like one? Parents, alumni, the education system, and the media all influence students to participate in sports. It certainly motivates students to become motivated to attend school and get good grades up to a certain point (Runyan). Encouragement, social capital, and positive interaction can be gained from athletic sports through community involvement in supporting successful young athletes (Green). These events provide places where parents, students and teachers can meet, providing opportunities to increase social capital. . The findings from the Ohio research suggest that these locations strengthen, rather than discourage, academic missions.” Daniel H. Bowen - Writer for the Atlantic