
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 11, 1993                   TAG: 9311120110
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: S-15   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BOSTON                                LENGTH: Short

SOME ATHLETES' HOPES OF GOING PRO VERY HIGH

Black high school athletes have unrealistically high expectations of becoming sports professionals, but they also know they need to achieve academically, according to a new study.

"While the dream is still alive that they can make it, they're preparing for alternatives," said Richard Lapchick, director of Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society, which commissioned the Lou Harris survey of 865 student athletes nationwide.

Black students also see participation in high school sports as bringing other benefits, from helping them stay in school and become better citizens to helping them avoid drug and alcohol use, the survey found.

Fully 51 percent of black student athletes surveyed believe they can beat the 10,000-to-1 odds and make it in pro sports, while only 18 percent of white students think they can qualify, the study found.

by CNB