Goals:
At ASB, the athletic program is designed to accomplish the following
goals:
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To promote physical fitness
for all students.
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To provide cultural
experiences for students through travel and meeting new people.
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To foster positive self-concept among students through the experience of competing.
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To develop a wholesome
competitive spirit in students.
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To assist students in
learning good sportsmanship.
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To allow students the
opportunity to get to know peers who are sighted through
competition.
Program description:
It is the belief of the ASB staff that each student needs to be
physically fit, needs to be active, and should know how to swim.
Hence, track, wrestling, gymnastics and swimming are taught in all
grades as a part of the curriculum at ASB. Fortunately, there is a
swimming pool in the gymnasium which is put to constant use.
ASB is a proud member of the Arkansas Activities Association and the
North Central Association of Schools for the Blind. Students,
therefore, are provided with the opportunity to participate in a wide
variety of activities throughout the school year. Students compete
in track, wrestling, and cheerleading.
Track: In the fall, boys and girls compete in track with other
schools for the blind. In the spring ASB competes, as a member of
the Arkansas Activities Association, with the public schools of
Arkansas. The knowledge which ASB students have gained through these
experiences is invaluable.
Wrestling: Wrestling season begins in November, and runs through mid-March. ASB competes with both
schools for the blind and public
schools. Wrestling is a growing sport in Arkansas. ASB is proud to
have been a continuous part of wrestling in the state for over 50
years.
Cheerleading: Boys and girls begin cheerleading practice in
September. The students who make up the cheerleading squad are
selected at a special assembly by cheerleaders or cheerleading
sponsors from public schools who serve as judges. The cheerleading
squad travels with the wrestling team to most of the athletic
competitions during the year. These boys and girls are, therefore,
afforded the same opportunities as their competitors in striving to
attain the goals of the athletic department. The cheerleaders
compete for awards at the annual cheerleading competition held at
the conference tournament.
One goal of the educational program is to provide opportunities for
students to meet peers who are sighted and to participate in
activities with those students. These athletic competitions with
students who attend public school provide one avenue for realizing
that goal.
Athletics for Elementary Students: Elementary students look forward
to the "Candy Bar Wrestling Meet" each year. Students practice
wrestling for a period of time, at the end of which, they are
divided into two teams and compete for candy bars. The winning
wrestler in each individual match receives a giant-sized candy bar;
while the loser receives a small candy bar. The "Candy Bar Meets"
serve as excellent training for students who aspire to become
members of the ASB Lion Wrestling Team.
Elementary students have a cheerleading squad also. Students in
grades 1-6 practice cheerleading and receive tips and assistance
from the secondary cheerleading squad. The "Peewee Cheerleaders"
perform at school events and cheer at the "Candy Bar Meet."
The most significant fact to note about the athletic program at ASB
is that almost every student participates in athletics in some form.
