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Principal Brian Lumar

The Benefits of Recreational Archery

Historically, archery was used for hunting. Today, it’s a fun sport for all ages requiring substantial strength and focus. But beyond enjoyment, the mental and physical health benefits are plentiful, positively impacting all who take up the hobby.

While archery is beneficial for everyone, Brian Lumar explains that it’s particularly valuable to children and younger generations who may be experiencing confidence, self-esteem, focus, and other challenges.

The 7 Best Benefits of Archery

Accessible for All

Regardless of age or physical ability, archery is perhaps one of the most accessible sports. Even people who’re blind can take up archery by utilizing special tactile equipment to take aim and fire.

Since only minimal equipment is required (especially when first starting out), it’s a sport that anybody can try without breaking the bank.

Improves Self-Esteem and Confidence

Archery combines physical and mental attributes while teaching archers about safety. Ultimately, this inspires boosted self-esteem and confidence, especially in young people figuring out where they fit in society.

Boosts Focus

To hit targets, archers must block their surroundings out, concentrating on their form every time they release the bowstring to let the arrow fly.

Accuracy is important in the sport, improving focus to achieve it. Of course, this doesn’t just help archers on the field; it’s useful in high-pressure life, school, and work environments.

Focusing under pressure is a skill many won’t truly learn until middle adulthood. But children and teenagers who take up archery are more likely to hone the skill early.

Enhances Sociability and Relaxation

Whether archers are playing at home with their family or at a range, they’ll become more sociable.

On top of that, those who practice archery will learn about teamwork and how to build healthy, lasting relationships with others — a skill particularly helpful for the younger generation as they navigate new romantic, platonic, and familial connections.

Aside from improved sociability, archery is a huge stress reliever. Archers have no choice but to relax and regulate their breathing when aiming and releasing the arrow. Otherwise, their chances of hitting the target diminish.

Brian Lumar Principal

Increases Patience

In the fast-paced digital world of today, patience is something that many children and teenagers struggle with. But archery requires staying power, ensuring precision over speed.

Accuracy takes time and immense patience, proving beneficial for everybody, especially those growing up in the digital age.

Improves Hand-Eye Coordination

Using a bow and arrow requires the archer’s hands to work together doing different things. They learn to aim and fire using visual inputs, a process that eventually improves coordination.

Builds Physical Strength

The balance required to shoot arrows accurately requires a large amount of core strength. However, archers also develop physical strength in other areas like their shoulders, chest, and arms — similar to those who lift weights at the gym.

Recreational Archery: The Sport with Many Benefits

Archery is fantastic for people of all ages. However, the benefits are particularly important for children and young people navigating mental and physical changes.

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Principal Brian Lumar

The Benefits of Recreational Sports for Students

There are a million decisions parents have to make for their children throughout life and deciding whether or not to enroll them in recreational sports is one of them. Understanding the benefits of rec sports for students can make the decision to get involved that much easier.

Brian Lumar, Principal explains that there are many benefits for students who participate in recreational sports. These include enhanced brain function, learning life skills that also help in the classroom, as well as the benefits that physical activity can provide to a student’s performance.

How Recreational Sports Help Students Learn Better

Sports can help students in the classroom atmosphere in many ways. First, it improves patience, perseverance, problem-solving, and memory, among other skills that translate well into a classroom setting. Physical activity also boosts brain function and stimulation. Below, the additional, long-term benefits of how rec sports aid in learning are discussed.

Sports Teach Life Skills

Sports teach kids many life skills to be used in and beyond the classroom, including self-regulation, accountability, teamwork, organization, discipline, and responsibility. These skills are also necessary when learning new lessons, studying, completing homework, working on projects with classmates, and more.

Sports Improve Brain Function

Being physically active helps improve the brain in one major way – by improving neural plasticity, which refers to how the brain forms new neurons and new connections, as well as reorganizes neural networks. In other words, this means the brain can comprehend new material at a more efficient, faster pace.

Physical Activity Benefits That Translate to The Classroom

• Better Sleep

When children play sports, they expend a lot of energy. This helps them get a longer, deeper sleep at night so they attend school rested and refreshed. A better night’s sleep helps students focus better, learn more effectively, and promotes positivity through the entire school day.

• Reduced Stress

Physical activity is a wonderful way to reduce stress, even in short sessions. Students must balance a lot during their formative years and being active will reduce stress within the body and mind. This happens because increased activity releases endorphins which boost mood.

Brian Lumar Principal

• Improves Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence

Sports, either with a team or solo, can greatly improve a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence. When children view themselves in a more positive light, they’re more likely to work through challenges in a proactive way, whether its school or life situations. This translates to improved grades and a better outlook on education in general.

• Improved Energy Levels

It takes energy to learn. Students who have that adrenaline rush after physical activity will enjoy increased energy for many hours, even days. Not only does this help with retaining information, but student athletes will have energy for completing homework, studying for tests, and performing better in school than they did before.

• Emotional Management

Sports teach patience, perseverance, and emotional management skills that will help children and teens in the classroom and beyond. Many students are prone to dismissing challenges when things become difficult in school, but these emotional management techniques will improve their resilience to handle everything life (and school) throws their way.

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Principal Brian Lumar

Second Time’s the Charm: Brian Lumar Inducted into Loyola Hall Once More

Brian Lumar, principal of Hahnville High in Destrehan, LA was formerly the basketball opponent nobody wished to meet. His time spent playing ball for Loyola University, New Orleans, was one he (and so many others) will never forget, and he’s managed to clinch induction into the Loyola Hall of Fame for a second time.

As a two-time Loyola Hall of Famer, his status works wonders to inspire his students to achieve their dreams and drive his school toward continued success.

The Youngest Loyola Alumnus Strikes Again

Lumar has established himself as one of the best on the court while at school, his talents were given the accolade they deserve when he starred as the youngest Loyola alumnus to have his number enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

It’s only natural to assume 2001 was his first and only time being inducted into the hall of fame. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Early 2019 marked his second induction into the Loyola Hall. Entering alongside his coaches and teammates on the 1994 to 1995 basketball team. Having won the Southwestern Regional Champion in that period, they’ve received their Hall spot as one of the school’s best teams.

From Underdogs to Champions

Believe it or not, the aforementioned team, Wolfpack, was the underdog. The basketball program had just been re-instated following the cancellation of athletics in 1971 — they didn’t have the scholarship athletes nor experienced players like their opposition.

And yet? They dominated. Though their talent wasn’t obvious, it became clear during their early upset against Spring Hill and their fourth position in the NAIA Division I.

Wolfpack went on to earn a top seed in the Southwestern Conference Regional Tournament and scored the win there too, achieving a spot in the NAIA National Tournament.

And none other than Brian Lumar obtained the “Academic All-American” status that season.

Brian Lumar Principal

1,800+ Points, 1,000+ Rebounds

He finished his career as the university’s best scorer and rebounder, boasting more than 1,800 points and over 1,000 rebounds.

Going on to indulge in the prep coaching ranks, he wrangled his first assistant coach position at the Eagles, helping the boys reach two state championships.

But assisting wasn’t going to sit well forever. Aspiring to be a head coach, he jumped at the chance to coach Hahnville’s basketball team. With Lumar’s guidance, they went on to achieve state finalist status in 2003 and 2009.

Basketball Champion, Coach Aficionado, High-School Principal Extraordinaire.

After all that success on and beside the court, he decided he’d be able to help young people better inside the classroom, returning to school to earn his master’s. Ultimately, this led to him becoming the principal he is today.

Brian says he feels amazing about being inducted again, surrounded by his former teammates and coaches who “played hard, played smart, and played together.”

They truly were a team of dedicated, studious athletes who worked hard in and out of the classroom.