Being a High School Athlete in New Hampshire is WAY Harder Than in Massachusetts

Being a high school athlete in New Hampshire is incredibly difficult. And if you have a high schooler managing sports, multiple sports, on top of school work...they probably deserve some grace.

"Isn't it the same in every state?" No. No, it is not.

Being a High School Athlete in Massachusetts

It's easier. I'll say it.

When I went to Pentucket Regional High School in West Newbury, MA, most opposing schools in our league were 20-30 minutes away.

Sure, the Cape Ann League (a Massachusetts sports division) includes Rockport. That was the only 45 "long" ride.

In New Hampshire... sports teams are traveling 2 hours away, multiple nights a week.

Being a High School Athlete in New Hampshire

I am the head coach of the Dover Girls' Tennis Team. Of the 17 teams in our division, we have Keene and Hanover. Easily 2 hours away. On a school bus? More like 2.5.

Outside of those teams, we have 12 teams about an hour away. Again, on a school bus? More like an hour and 20.

All season long, I have seen these girls play away matches until 7 pm. With lunch at 11 AM, they need some food after...are you picking up on how late these high school athletes are out? Not studying. Not sleeping.

Here is an actual rundown of our week:

Monday 5/19: Away vs. Nashua South - pulled back into the school around 9:15 PM. Mind you, they left school 15 minutes early.

Tuesday 5/20: Practice. Done by 5.

Wednesday: 5/21: Away vs. Keene - pulled into the school at 10:30 PM. This time, leaving school an hour early. A 9-hour "sporting event."

Thursday: Practice. Done by 5.

Friday: "Home" match (it was not at the high school because it was indoors). Dismissed at noon. Pulled into the school at 7 PM.  A 7-hour ordeal. THEN PARENTS HAD TO PICK THEM UP!

I never had this experience during my time as an athlete in Massachusetts. There were no hour or two bus rides, other than tournaments and playoffs. We were home by 7/8 pm every match or game.

Parents of student athletes in New Hampshire

Give your kids some grace. I have no idea how they manage to do homework or study if they are travelling around the state so much.

I have NO idea how they get enough sleep... Then, to have to focus on geometry after 5 hours of sleep.

PARENTS, you are MVPs here, too. I know you have to meet your kids at the high school to pick them up when we pull into the school parking lot at 10:30 PM. I know you have to drive them the next day, go to work, and go back to school because they forgot their shoes....

The kids deserve some grace...but you may deserve more. And certainly more appreciation than I am sure you get from your teenager.