Teachers with backgrounds in sports are now applying the discipline, teamwork and resilience they developed on the field to their classrooms, proving how lessons from athletics can extend beyond the game.
Many students see their teachers solely in the role of an educator, often unaware of the athletic backgrounds that shaped their journeys into teaching. The stories of how these teachers transitioned from sports to the classroom remain untold. Daniel Zich, the English III teacher, has a diverse athletic background, taking part in various sports including soccer, baseball and basketball. Meanwhile, Alison Hollis, the AP English Literature instructor, has an extensive background in basketball, having played throughout most of her childhood and until her first year in college.
“I played basketball when I was little all the way through high school and then I played my freshman year of college in a very competitive girls’ intramural league,” Hollis said.

Engaging in sports has given these educators life lessons they now share with their students. By fostering this discipline and emphasizing the value of collaboration, their athletic experiences have shaped their teaching approaches and contributed to their students’ development.
“[From sports, I learned of] teamwork and responsibility I mean that’s really all part of it.” Zich said. “I keep seeing students who have difficulty or don’t want to talk to their classmates — I’m telling you right now there’s not many jobs where you get to work by yourself. You have to learn how to work with other people.”
In addition, Zich has demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges faced by students involved in sports. He recognizes the difficulty of juggling the demands of athletic commitments alongside academic responsibilities.

“The greatest challenge [for] any scholar athlete is keeping up with their grades,” Zich said. “It is so hard to apply [yourself] to school with all the homework you have to do and then your coaches are asking you to work two to three hours a week also at practice.”
Though, as they reminisce about their time in sports, numerous teachers find themselves filled with a deep sense of satisfaction regarding their accomplishments. Many find pride in their decision to engage in sports because the experience produced great memories and life long friendships.
“The team I was on …went to the championship pretty consistently,” Hollis said. [I was also] pretty consistent in the all-star game where they would take the best of each team and make two teams and then play. [Also], one of my best friends named Alison – spelt the same way – [we] met on the basketball team in fifth grade and have been friends ever since.”
While reflecting on their experiences, both in sports and in the classroom, Zich and Hollis show that the qualities they developed on the field continue to resonate in the lessons they teach today.
“[Sports have helped me understand] the joy of the game,” Hollis said. “I mean I don’t play a sport [right now], but I do hope that I bring joy to my classroom everyday, which is similar to the joy I had playing basketball.”