Student-athletes across Long Island juggle academics and athletics

By Nicholas Pepino

Mar. 23, 2026. (Photo/Nicholas Pepino)

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. - With spring coming into bloom, high school student-athletes throughout Nassau and Suffolk are experiencing the highs and lows of balancing athletics and academics in preparation for final exams and future college aspirations. Avery Glasser, a 16-year-old volleyball and lacrosse player at Islip High School, shares her insights on what it is like managing both schoolwork and sports. “The late nights of not getting enough sleep and trying to make sure that all my assignments are done, because the student does come before the athlete, but the athlete is just as important as the student,” said Glasser.

Three other senior Islip High School student-athlete  standouts, Imani Hood, Nicholas Santiago, and Alex Morales, were recently recognized by school officials for their achievements in the classroom and on the field, showing the importance of prioritizing their studies and athletics. “These students have earned the opportunity to continue their athletic careers while pursuing their academic goals, and we look forward to watching them succeed at the next level,” said Islip Athletic Director John Sparcio.

Like Glasser, many student athletes are expected to attend practice to stay up late, wake up early, and find the time in-between practice and games to complete their assignments. Current Farmingdale senior student-athlete, Justin Porrino, a member of the baseball team, offers his perspective on what it takes for high school students to succeed and the importance of maintaining grades to make it to the next phase. “If you’re not on the field, then you’re in your room, just trying to really grind out schoolwork and stay on top of things. Our coach, you know, if you didn’t have good grades, you weren’t playing,” said Porrino on prioritizing studies. “I’d say I was putting in 25 hours a week minimum between team lifting, practice, and games, probably 25-30 hours minimum a week,” he added, describing the time commitment outside of school.

According to research conducted by Science Publishing Group, time demands of student-athletes continue to rise. The journal determined that academic and athletic responsibilities compete for student-athletes time and attention because of their unique differences, resulting in the adoption of identities based on behavioral manifestations that develop due to competing roles.

Despite the increased demand for the time of students, many student-athletes have risen to the occasion and achieved great feats for their commitment to athletics and report card, with East Rockaway School District leading by example. In 2024, each of the five winter varsity teams earned the honor of Scholar-Athlete team status from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, an honor that requires 75 percent of the roster to have at least a 90 GPA. “I think time management was a big factor in achieving this,” Kieran Lynch, boys track athlete, said. “Being able to both put the time and go to practices and also being able to find the time to do homework.” Although balancing sports and academics may prove to be challenging for some, the student-athletes who commit to both are preparing themselves for greater opportunities in the future.