What’s Your Opinion?

They’re up before dawn, running miles of cross-country trails or swimming lap after lap. They stay well after school, taking snaps, spiking volleyballs or serving tennis balls. Student-athletes put in long hours of practice, but it can all be for naught unless they’re also hitting their school books. How does playing high school sports affect academic performance? We’d like to hear your views and publish them in the Oct. 4 installment of Prep Voices. If you--whether a student, athlete, parent, coach, administrator or fan--would like to respond to this question, you can contact us in the following ways:

BY PHONE: Times Link 808-8463

To record a response, call TimesLine from the 714, 213, 310, 818 or 909 area codes, then press *8100. This number is toll-free in most of Orange County.

BY FAX: (714) 966-5663

Attention: Sports Section. Survey/Academics.

BY MAIL:

Sports Section

Reader Survey/Academics

1375 Sunflower Ave.

Costa Mesa, 92626

Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Only names and cities will be published with the comments, but addresses and telephone numbers are required for verification.