By Ashley Halkett

Two fall sports teams reported in a workload survey that their practice times exceeded the limit set by the athletic department. Boys’ water polo and football, both teams that practice extensively in the summer, said that their practices regularly went over two and a half hours per day.

Head of Athletics Audrius Barzdukas said that he agrees with the time limit, but he considers surveys to be a relatively poor method of determining the truth due to fuzzy recollections.

He did not discount the memories of the athletes, but rather said that surveys were just one way in which the department ensured adherence to limits.

Part of the scheduling process in the department is based on practicality.

Sunlight is a regulatory mechanism that renders practice impossible after a certain time. However, Barzdukas says the best way to keep practice regulated is the late bus.

“If you miss the late bus, someone has to drive from the Palisades to school during rush hour,” Barzdukas said. “It’s a good way to keep things in place.”

Barzdukas said both he and the coaches have stressed that limits are healthy because they encourage efficiency. For this reason, he considers club practices to be a problem when they overwork the players.

“If you do squat jumps here, and then later with your club coach, there’s no benefit,” Barzdukas said.
Ultimately, Barzdukas upheld the adage that fun is central to the experience.

“We’re in the fun business,” Barzdukas said. “When it stops being fun, that’s when we’ve gone down a bad path.”