Highlands athletic director wants players to prioritize academics

When Highlands athletic director Drew Karpen joined the district two years ago, his focus wasn’t solely on sports.

“One of my main objectives was to build the academic side of the program,” said Karpen, a former assistant athletic director at North Allegheny.

He launched a Scholar- Athlete program to recognize students who perform above-par both in the classroom and on the field, court or track.

With help from coaches, building principals and Assistant Superintendent Cathleen Cubelic, Karpen built a tiered recognition program to inspire athletes to get better grades.

Students who maintain a 90% grade point average earn an All-Scholar status; those with grades between 80%-89% get an All-Academic moniker.

Names are posted to the district website after fall, winter and spring sport seasons. The program includes students in seventh to 12th grade.

“We got an overwhelming response from putting it on the website,” Karpen said. “I’d like to take it further and have the kids recognized at the year-end academic awards ceremony.”

School Director Debbie Beale applauded the effort, both by Karpen and the students.

“This is a really good thing,” she said. “Most of the (scholarship) money for college is given on the academic side.”

There’s potential for the district to host college-level athletes to speak to high-schoolers about the importance of staying on top of their classroom game.

“We all know what’s best for them, but to hear it from someone they strive to be like, it might hit different,” Karpen said.

Karpen said teams can qualify for a collective accolade, which he sees as a program-building component.

For example, in fall 2020, the cross-country team was tagged All-Scholar because enough of the members maintained a 90% grade average.

“It helps with team spirit,” Karpen said. “I’ve seen kids sitting in the lobby before practice doing homework. I think kids are encouraging their teammates to do better, and they’re starting to take it more seriously.

“I’m excited to see where it can go.”