Quick Fact: Research at the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University found that young people who play sports actually do better in school and have enhanced social skills. Playing a sport can help prevent drug and alcohol abuse, and children participating in sports are less likely to start smoking, and if they do smoke, are more likely to quit. (
http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2006/10/benefits-of-sports-for-kids.html)