Athletes

Athletes that are accepted into particular colleges based on their athletic ability need to be academically capable. Teachers need to do their job and grade each student equally, not compared to another. Students need to be graded based on their work in class, their scores and their participation. Granting students an advantage because they are the football team’s best quarterback or the basketball team’s best point guard is completely unnecessary. If a student cannot maintain a certain grade in their class, they should not be granted an unfair advantage. There are other students that have to balance other extracurriculars such as theater, music, math team, etc. Many students also have part-time jobs and obligations to their family. If athletes are granted that unfair advantage, then all students should be. Isn’t that just passing all students because they are busy? That just sounds ridiculous and illogical. So, giving athletes an undeserved grade in class is also ridiculous. In the real world, adults are balancing between working full time and raising a family. They are extremely busy, but their work is not paying them for doing nothing. Giving athletes an undeserved grade is like paying an employee that is not working because they have too much on their plate with their family. If a college athlete finds that he or she cannot handle their course load, they can always take a less advanced class or fewer classes. If a “marvelous” athlete is being recruited for their “outstanding” skill, than these students should be expected to handle their school work as well as their athletic work.

Comments

[Kayla Ferreira]

Natasha, I definitely agree with what you say in this blog. Athletes do need to be academically capable and should be able to handle both academics and sports if they wish to play a sport. I like how you compared this to an employee at a job. It is true that if you are working and have a lot going on with family, your employeer is not going to just pay you for doing absolutely nothing. Like you said, this is rediculous and illogical. No one should recieve an advantage just because they choose to participate in other activites. It is their own choice as to whether they will play sports or join the drama club. With this choice factors in academics and a social life. It is extremely important that the student looks at their future and their academic career instead of focusing on being the star athlete. If a student can be a star athlete and do well in school, then everything will work out perfect. Other then that, athletes should not recieve an advantage with school just because they are more occupied with sports.

[Melissababesxox]

Your point saying that teachers need to do their jobs is quite accurate. Teachers need to treat each student as an individual, and not as an athlete. You say that teachers should grade student by their work and their participation. You also say that students besides athletes are not getting special privileges, when they have other obligations too. A good number of students do work or have family obligations. Giving students the grade they want just because they are athlete is simply crazy. Your example of the employer is perfect. If an employer was to give an employee money just or going to work and getting paid to stand there. When these students go to school, they are in-fact just standing there. If students are just standing there and not participating, how will they get the grade they truly deserve. You close by proving an excellent point. If they can not handle the classes they are in now, why not take less classes or even take classes at a lower level. These students need to admit that they are unable to take these classes and they should take the classes that would help their education and not help their resume look better.

[rachel mowery]

Natasha, many of your points are true. For example when you say, “There are other students that have to balance other extracurriculars such as theater, music, math team, etc. Many students also have part-time jobs and obligations to their family. If athletes are granted that unfair advantage, then all students should be. Isn’t that just passing all students because they are busy?”, I completely agree. In the world today, you have to work very hard for the things that are important to you, in all walks of life. When things get tough, you just have to work harder, and if it is too much to handle then you need to take a reality check and figure out if it is what you truly should be doing. This is happening much too often within high schools and colleges, and people with authority such as coaches, teachers, guidance counselors are brushing it aside and ignoring the pressing fact. It has definitely become a problem.
But, at the same time I believe that there are exceptions. While in high school it is important to get good grades and not cheat, college is a different ballgame. When a student enters college they usually have some idea what they want to do with their lives. It is where your future begins and where you start to set goals for yourself. In the case of professional college athletes, they intend to make their sport their career. While cheating and plagiarizing is never acceptable, if the student is working hard, but simply not getting good enough grades, I believe they should be given the benefit of a doubt simply. But, at the same time, if they are not putting in the time or handing in work, it is then that penalties should be given.