THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 16, 1995 TAG: 9504160253
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
The Virginian-Pilot is experimenting with ways to talk to readers about how to make Hampton Roads a better place.
Today, we'd like to start a conversation about athletics and academics in our high schools.
Some say our society places so much value on winning that we cut star athletes a break in the classroom. This attitude hurts the kids in the long run because few will ever achieve their dream of a professional sports career.
Others say athletics create opportunities for success for some students who would not otherwise be considered college material. To take away their dreams, seals their fate.
You'll find some questions below to consider as you think about the issue. If they're not the right questions, tell us so.
We'll publish the conversation in next Sunday's Sports section. WHAT'S YOUR VIEW ON: ATHLETICS AND ACADEMICS
THE ISSUE: Last week, South Hampton Roads' five top basketball recruits, all of Division I caliber, failed to meet the NCAA's freshman eligibility requirements. That is, they failed to get a 2.0 grade-point average in 11 core courses and score at least 700 on the Scholastic Assessment Test.
The basketball stars aren't alone. During football season, several players with major-college talent also failed to meet the NCAA standards.
Today's high school athletes have known since they were in first grade what would be required for them to play college ball. The minimum standards were set by the NCAA in 1984. These standards aren't going to get any easier. High school juniors may be asked to meet even tougher requirements next year.
Critics of the academic guidelines say that the SAT is racially biased and can deny athletes access to a launch pad for a career in sports. Others say the standards are minimal and that student athletes should apply the concentration they bring to their games to the classroom.
SOME VIEWPOINTS TO CONSIDER:
``We are not against academic standards. We are against denying an opportunity to a generation of kids.''
- Oliver Purnell, mens' basketball coach at Dayton and former ODU coach
``To put the blame on any one person is wrong. But certainly, part of the blame has to lie with the kids... The kids have to assume the responsibility for their academics and put in even more time there than they do with athletics.''
- Jeff Capel, mens' basketball coach at Old Dominion
``... A lot of it has to do with their backgrounds and upbringings, where academics weren't stressed and still aren't.''
- Maury High School basketball coach Jack Baker
``Too many (kids) ... say it's too hard, or not interesting or they don't get their name in the newspaper (for excelling academically). Some of it has to do with society playing up sports so much.''
- Lew Johnston, Western Branch High guidance counselor and football coach
``I have encountered young people through the literacy program who have a special talent for sports where only that talent was nurtured in them. That's so unfortunate because they have other talents as well. Teachers and the whole community need to be behind them, and not just when they're playing for the team.''
- Becky Betz, executive director, Peninsula Literacy Council in Hampton
SUGGESTIONS BEFORE RESPONDING
What is the image of success that our society presents its children?
What important values do sports instill? How do these values contribute to personal success?
What important values do academics instill? How do these contribute to personal success?
What should our schools be preparing students for?
If you would like to participate in this conversation:
Send your letters to Robin Brinkley, Sports, 150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23510
Or call Infoline at 640-5555. Then press 2907 by CNB