Brent Perry
Mr. Hale
Engl. 1301
24 October 2014 College Academics and the Student Athlete Historically, sporting events have played a huge role in the American culture. Most kids grow up aspiring to be just like their heroes on the field; however, the harsh reality is that roughly only 6.5% of high school athletes will go on to play their sport at the collegiate level and even fewer will play at the professional level. Over the past few years, the qualities that collegiate coaches look for has transitioned to seeking academically sound recruits, who also have strong athletic skills (O 'Shaughnessy). The term student-athlete is defined as “an enrolled student who participates in an organized competitive sport sponsored by the college/university …show more content…
In the past, the focus was on recruiting super stars on the field and allowing students into college, who would not normally meet the admission requirements. Most colleges allowed far inferior admission standards for athletes compared to those of non-athletes. Statistically, the SAT scores of athletes average around 150 points below that of non-athlete applicants. Also, athletes have been shown to enter into college with poor high school preparation in academic rigors as evidenced by their high school rank being approximately 20 percentage points below non-athletes (Maloney). The outcome was players dropping out of college before completing their degree because they were not able to compete academically. The NCAA has recently placed a greater influence on the emphasis of education over athletics by putting into place more rigid standards and requirements (Power). Colleges have now shifted their focus from athletes just barely meeting eligibility standards to ensuring that they will leave college well educated and ready for a career. Coaches and academic advisers are striving to promote the idea that athletic success will not last forever and eventually, the time will come for even the best athletes to discontinue their pursuit of athletic competition whether it is due to age, injury or lack of further opportunity. Collegiate staff wants to …show more content…
Some feel that “the pursuit of athletic success has forced compromises with academic integrity.” (Power) Others feel that by forcing athletes to maintain higher GPA’s, student-athletes will not be able to pursue difficult degrees and have to settle for easier majors. According to these critics of the NCAA reform, having to choose between maintaining eligibility versus striving towards a degree of their academic interest is one of the greatest dilemmas facing today’s student-athletes (Grasgreen). As the dynamics of collegiate sports has changed into a more commercialized and social enterprise, coaches and administrators sense an increased pressure to recruit winning teams at all costs. Many colleges are no longer only desirable for potential candidates based on their academic success but rather on their popularity gained through winning championships. Finding the balance between athletic and academic goals is a priority to the NCAA, which seeks to “maintain intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the educational program and the athlete as an integral part of the student body.”
Mr. Hale
Engl. 1301
24 October 2014 College Academics and the Student Athlete Historically, sporting events have played a huge role in the American culture. Most kids grow up aspiring to be just like their heroes on the field; however, the harsh reality is that roughly only 6.5% of high school athletes will go on to play their sport at the collegiate level and even fewer will play at the professional level. Over the past few years, the qualities that collegiate coaches look for has transitioned to seeking academically sound recruits, who also have strong athletic skills (O 'Shaughnessy). The term student-athlete is defined as “an enrolled student who participates in an organized competitive sport sponsored by the college/university …show more content…
In the past, the focus was on recruiting super stars on the field and allowing students into college, who would not normally meet the admission requirements. Most colleges allowed far inferior admission standards for athletes compared to those of non-athletes. Statistically, the SAT scores of athletes average around 150 points below that of non-athlete applicants. Also, athletes have been shown to enter into college with poor high school preparation in academic rigors as evidenced by their high school rank being approximately 20 percentage points below non-athletes (Maloney). The outcome was players dropping out of college before completing their degree because they were not able to compete academically. The NCAA has recently placed a greater influence on the emphasis of education over athletics by putting into place more rigid standards and requirements (Power). Colleges have now shifted their focus from athletes just barely meeting eligibility standards to ensuring that they will leave college well educated and ready for a career. Coaches and academic advisers are striving to promote the idea that athletic success will not last forever and eventually, the time will come for even the best athletes to discontinue their pursuit of athletic competition whether it is due to age, injury or lack of further opportunity. Collegiate staff wants to …show more content…
Some feel that “the pursuit of athletic success has forced compromises with academic integrity.” (Power) Others feel that by forcing athletes to maintain higher GPA’s, student-athletes will not be able to pursue difficult degrees and have to settle for easier majors. According to these critics of the NCAA reform, having to choose between maintaining eligibility versus striving towards a degree of their academic interest is one of the greatest dilemmas facing today’s student-athletes (Grasgreen). As the dynamics of collegiate sports has changed into a more commercialized and social enterprise, coaches and administrators sense an increased pressure to recruit winning teams at all costs. Many colleges are no longer only desirable for potential candidates based on their academic success but rather on their popularity gained through winning championships. Finding the balance between athletic and academic goals is a priority to the NCAA, which seeks to “maintain intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the educational program and the athlete as an integral part of the student body.”