When thinking of Bronx Science, the idea of athletic prowess is not the first thing that come into the mind of the general public. As a school known nationally for its exceptional students and teachers in terms of academics, members of the Bronx Science athletic community sometimes do not get enough recognition. However, our student athletes prove time and time again that they are more than just brainiacs, and instead talented athletes in their own right, who also happen to excel academically.

The typical Wolverine athlete attends at least three practices with their respective teams each week, practicing for a minimum of four hours. “We come to practice for two and a half hours, sometimes three,” said Hritwik Paul ’21, a member of the Boys’ Varsity Cricket team. “Being on a sports team means we are dedicated to two things, education and sports.”

This is true for many other scholar athletes as well, especially when they play in leagues both in and outside of school. Jeffrey Rodriguez ’20, an outfielder for Boys’ Varsity Baseball, plays for both Bronx Science and a league based in Manhattan. “Many times, my schedule becomes hectic and a bit overwhelming, but I love baseball, and I know that my grades need to be kept up. So, I make the best of it,” Rodriguez said.

Throughout the school year, faculty and students alike recognize the achievements of our Wolverine athletes. Bronx Science congratulates its teams for their successes over the loudspeaker during morning announcements, as well as during segments on Wolverine TV throughout the school year. Pictures and achievements, like the hard-earned trophies of our athletes, are also displayed for everyone to see near the locker rooms. Yet, many Wolverines still feel as if their sport and effort are not being fully appreciated by the entire student body.

Athletes such as Zainab Mridha ’21, a captain of the Girls’ Varsity Wrestling team, believes that there could be much more support from the student body during games.

“At Bronx Science, students care more about schoolwork rather than team spirit, so instead of coming to a school match to show support, most students go home to either finish their homework or to study for exams,” she said.

Michael Mei, coach of Girls’ Varsity Basketball, Boys’ Outdoor Track, and the Boys’ Cross Country teams, concurs. “I think one of the problems with spirit is that everybody is restricted and has to work between the Vallo Bus window,” said Mei. “Students have to get on a certain bus to get home, and for that reason, I think that sometimes it deters students from supporting their friends and their teams.” Although many students still do not come to games, he is impressed by the school-wide promotion of sports events during the last couple years.

Boys’ Varsity Gymnastics member Isaac Rjavinski ’20 agrees that his team does not get full recognition by their peers. Although Rjavinski says that his team has five very loyal and supportive fans along with those who show up occasionally, he and his team would appreciate more attendance from the entire student body. However, Rjavinski remains grateful for those who do show up, noting that the small fan base “turn out to ensure that we feel supported in our events and work.”

Nevertheless, in a school of 3,042 students, more members of the student body should attend games. Many coaches and students have expressed their thoughts on improving athletic school spirit and increasing fan participation during sporting events at Bronx Science. Christopher Dahlem, coach of Boys’ Varsity Baseball, created a policy within his team to increase school spirit. Players on his Varsity team were expected to attend the home games of other sports in the school, adding about another fifteen students to the crowd. Another coach who plans to make a difference, Daniel Collins, coach of Girls’ Junior Varsity Basketball and Co-ed Golf, suggested a form of advertisement in the cafeteria. Collins proposed a fundraising event for an electronic board that would be available for students to see game dates and team achievements. This way, many more students would be aware of what is happening in our school’s athletic community.

Ideas like these could possibly bring more of the student body into the athletic community as fans, supporting the hard work that both our athletes and coaches put into their sports. Hopefully, with more exposure, athletics will gain its rightful place as an equal to Bronx Science’s storied academics.