I coached sports in a very blue collar town, and I know several of the students had no positive male role models, no structure provided for them at home, and no

I coached sports in a very blue collar town, and I know several of the students had no positive male role models, no structure provided for them at home, and no incentive to perform academically. Then they joined our team, and suddenly they had people willing to help them, a bond with other students they hadnt possessed before, and a structure they needed. They had to pass their classes now because they wanted to play, and we taught them to be more respectful of their teachers and administrators. These kids went from being trouble at the school to just normal kids. That is because of sports and nothing else. Could they have afforded to play on a team not affiliated with the school? Probably not.