Now at the end of the regular basketball season and the beginning of playoffs, schools are rooting and cheering for their teams to carry home the big trophy.

Already, though, each one of those athletes is a winner. Indeed, all high school athletes are winners.

These young men and women are on a special track to success. By participating in athletics — and many of them play more than one sport — they are learning life skills far beyond what other students accomplish at this age.

Participating in sports on any level demands an incredible amount of time management, understanding, self-discipline and ability.

Generally, a student is released from school mid-to-late afternoon. For the athlete, there is practice after school; chores must be done at home and many as not usually have part-time jobs; then there’s homework and finally, some family time and sleep.

Many games are played in the evening, meaning homework or studies must be completed after the game. That’s relatively simple when the game is played at home. But trying to study on a bus is difficult at best, meaning long hours for that athlete student.

There are many talented students; students gifted in many different way. But for some reason, the term “dumb jock” has become a part of the everyday vocabulary for those who do not know or who have not experienced the demands of academics and athletics.

This is an exciting time of year when many young men and young women seek to fulfill personal goals and to bring home the state title to their schools.

But they should not be rewarded just for this. They are much, oh, so much more.