NFHS #MyReasonWhy Campaign Showcases High School Activities

NFHS #MyReasonWhy Campaign Begins Second Year of Showcasing Value of High School Activity Programs

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (October 19, 2017) — The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) are beginning the second year of the #MyReasonWhy campaign, which is designed to showcase the tremendous value that high school sports and activities offer to students.

Through real-life examples, #MyReasonWhy has re-affirmed that high school students involved in education-based activity programs demonstrate a higher level of academic performance and set themselves up for successful careers following high school graduation.

In the #MyReasonWhy campaign, the NFHS, TSSAA, and the other state high school associations are working to ensure that education-based programs are available for years to come. The goal of this national campaign is to demonstrate why participation in high school sports has increased every year for the past 28 years, and why participation in school-based sports and activities provide students the best opportunities for success.

Last year, more than 500 unique stories were submitted via the campaign website from students, coaches and administrators. Additionally, stories were submitted through social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. The #MyReasonWhy campaign has a fresh look this year and is making it even easier for students and others to share why sports and activities are important to them. Using the #MyReasonWhy hashtag and by visiting the www.MyReasonWhy.com website, the NFHS anticipates a surge in stories from students across the country who are eager to share they experiences.

“We are excited to introduce the second year of the #MyReasonWhy campaign,” said Bob Gardner, NFHS executive director. “This campaign has proved to be yet another avenue to spread the message about the values of these programs to young people. We have enjoyed reading the story submissions of why students, parents, coaches, officials and community members are involved in high school activities, and we are pleased to share those stories across the country via the new campaign website.”

 

“Our involvement in educational athletics goes well beyond wins and losses,” states TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress.  “The reason we are always excited in continuing to provide opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities stems from knowing we are playing a major role in enhancing their education. It is gratifying and humbling to know we have an opportunity to help develop the lives of young people in a positive way.”

 

The launch of the #MyReasonWhy campaign also coincides with National High School Activities Month, which was started in 1980 as National High School Activities Week to increase the public’s awareness of the values and needs of interscholastic activity programs. The foundation for National High School Activities Month is like the principles of the #MyReasonWhy campaign, looking to remind students, parents, coaches, officials and others in our communities about the value of education-based activities in their daily lives.