Student-athletes dedicate countless hours to representing their school, balancing rigorous academics with demanding practice schedules. However, they often struggle to find parking, adding unnecessary stress and wasted time to their already packed routine. Providing priority parking for these athletes goes beyond convenience, it’s a critical step in supporting those who contribute significantly to the school and community.
Currently, Redwood’s parking policy prioritizes students who live more than a 20-minute walk away and commit to carpooling. While this aids a wide range of students, it overlooks the unique yet often unacknowledged needs of student-athletes. These students often arrive earlier, stay later, travel frequently for games and carry a lot of baggage, making a parking spot a crucial tool to their success. Many athletes do not have spots in either parking lot, forcing them to park at least a ten minute walk away. This causes them to arrive late to early or afternoon practices or miss critical departure times for away games.
According to a study run by students in The Health Promoting Sports Club at a NCAA Division III Women’s University, athletes spend an average of 12 hours per week on their commitments during their chosen sport’s season and a lack of parking adds to this number. These athletes commit to two to three hours after school each day working hard to help their team while also taking on loads of homework and other school requirements. However, when it comes to parking, they are treated the exact same as any other student.
According to a March Bark survey, only 18 percent of student-athletes who don’t have a parking spot self-reported that it did not disrupt their schedule, while the rest said it caused levels of stress, un-preparation and inconvenience. The evidence shows dozens of athletes who are negatively impacted in a handful of different ways.
In 2014, research from South Dakota State University found that their student-athletes perform better academically than their peers, with only three percent holding below a 3.0 GPA compared to the 2.75 average among non-athletes. Therefore, not only do players devote themselves to doing well athletically but also educationally. Ensuring these students have access to a parking spot would not only help them better manage their success on the field, but in the classroom as well.
In addition, in 2016, a University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) survey found that 69 percent of students felt that not obtaining a parking spot negatively impacted their academic success. For student-athletes who already balance long practices and travel schedules, this barrier can make their daily routines even more difficult. While all students need a parking spot for different reasons, those with heavier commitments need additional support to ensure they can fully participate in both their education and extracurricular activities.
The school has long prided itself on fostering a supportive environment for student success, yet parking remains a persistent challenge for many students, especially athletes. Without access to convenient parking, these students are forced to sacrifice valuable time that could be spent resting, studying or preparing for the next game.
Athletes help shape school spirit, so their unique needs deserve real support. A solution that grants priority parking to student-athletes would not only alleviate stress but also prove that the community values the dedication and hard work of these students.
Student-athletes’ dedication to representing the school deserves recognition, and ensuring they can manage their time effectively is a meaningful way to support this large group of people. Students can take action by petitioning or speaking to key leadership figures, such as school counselors or the head of parking, Saum Zargar, to push for this necessary change. Standing behind and advocating for the athletes who bring a sense of teamwork and leadership to our community is inevitable for Redwood’s success.
