East Lake Athletes Score Academically

Hitting the books isn’t something high school athletes are necessarily famed for, but that’s not the case at East Lake High School.

The Eagles have once again earned the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Academic Team Championship, according to The Tampa Tribune. The school has held the honor since the 2010-11 school year. The honor is bestowed based on a points system that takes into account district playoffs-eligible teams’ cumulative grade-point averages and enrollment.

So, what makes East Lake so special?

Coaches say it’s the school’s emphasis on academics, study sessions for athletes and an overall desire to help athletes excel both on and off the field. Coaches even keep tabs on grades weekly.

“We’re trying to make good students great and average students good, and so far it’s really worked out,” The Tribune quoted head football coach Bob Hudson as saying. “We try to explain to them that football is going to end someday, and then what else are you going to do?”

Check out The Tribune’s full story here.

Want to congratulate East Lake High? Just comment below!

***

Keep up with all things local by signing up for the East Lake Patch daily email newsletter.