Eligibility rules for playing sports were hardly ever put into effect in the past, but not this year. “It’s not new, just enforced,” said Mr. Rosa, the new athletic director. Freedom athletics has always had WPIAL rules, which stated you had to be passing a minimum of four classes. This year, that particular rule increased it’s requirements; Mr. Rosa said you now have to be passing at least five classes in order to play a sport. It’s not just about academics either; attendance is just as important. “You can’t miss 20 days in one semester and play the next semester,” Mr. Rosa said. Basically, he said that you have to have a good attendance to play sports now. Jenna Moore, a junior soccer player, finds these rules unfair. “Homework takes up a lot of time, so it’s hard to get it done,” she said. “With sports, if you miss practice to catch up on homework, you get yelled at.” On the flip side, Alec Zindren, a junior on the football team, has an entirely different opinion. “ [It is] completely fair. Getting bad grades looks bad on you and the school… and if you look bad, you make the team look bad,” he said. Some teachers say it has helped motivate students, especially the student athletes. Mr. Hernandez is one that believes the new enforcement of the old rules is helping. He knows sports are important to students. Mr. Rosa said, “[You] can’t be an athlete if [you’re] not a good student.”